I'm studying for my next two CLEPs right now, Western Civilization I and II. These basically cover the entire history of "western civilization." A pretty specific subject, huh? Not so much. Anyway, my official study guide began at 25,000 BCE (Before Common Era, not BC: Before Christ) with the history of the Fertile Crescent, the place of the first known civilizations, and then followed the history of these different civilizations and highlighted their lasting contributions. I read about the Mesopotamians, the Persians, the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Hittites and the Hebrews. Yes, the Hebrews, also known as Israelites, the people of God. In my official state college study guide. People often try to say that the Old Testament wasn't true, but even secular historians cannot ignore the proof. But what I found especially interesting was the way the author (a professor at a secular university) wrote God out of His own people's history.
The whole history of God's people, its purpose and its legacy was horribly misconstrued, mainly because it took the religion out of the religious history. It mentioned it of course, as their "monotheism" was a major defining tenet of their civilization. But the idea that the God they worshiped could actually exist was a concept completely ignored. This was the first statement about the Israelites:
One of many small nations of the ancient Near East caught in the clash between empires, the Hebrews would hardly merit attention if it were not for the example of their tenacious survival in the face of daunting odds and the fact that their spiritual legacy of strict monotheism became a defining feature of Western civilization (mainly due to the spread of Christianity, which arose as a reform movement within the Hebrew tradition).
Goodness. I didn't realize it was the Israelites who survived the "daunting odds" on their own. Or that Christianity was a "reform movement" by the Hebrews, to make it better. In the same way, it later talks about Abraham who, though he lived in a polytheistic-focused period,
first identified Yahweh as the divinity whom he would worship exclusively, pledging his loyalty through a special relationship called the Covenant.
Any evidence that Yahweh is anymore than just a god the Hebrews believed in is outright ignored. Really, though, this should hardly surprise us. I would never expect anything less from my state history curriculum. But it is interesting to read with discernment, to analyze the facts in light of Scripture, and identify their errors. We ought to always use discernment, in literature, in media, in conversations and even in church. We ought to understand the presuppositions and beliefs of the communicator and their worldview. And we ought to know the Bible so well we can detect anything contrary to it. My dad once said that the only way to identify counterfeit money is to know the real stuff. The same is true with discernment and the Bible.
My, this was a rambling post. And if you weren't able to detect a thesis out of it, I'll give it to you now: "Through whatever we do, whatever we read, whoever we talk to, we must use discernment to recognize what is contrary to Scripture and know how to respond biblically."
"Teach me good judgment and discernment, for I rely on Your commands." Psalm 119:66