Christmas: History gains its true perspective

The genius that leaves the modern in the shade. Photo by Denis Zagorodniuc

Some wise words, beginning with "History often needs shock treatment to get it back into the correct rhythm."

The writer points out that Marxism, both the "historical determinism" of yore, as well as its version flaunted by promoters of the Woke today, "promises a solution to historical woes: Cancel the past and replace it with a glorious future according to the dictates of powerful elites. [...] The proposal is utopian and ends in tyranny. So we must look elsewhere for a solution that protects human dignity."

Our observer of the world's ways continues:

Christianity offers us a view of history to evaluate all historical developments. The evangelists and early Christians were humble and honest historians. They fearlessly reported the genealogy of Jesus, which included saints and sinners, and accurately depicted his messengers—the Apostles—including their sins. The humility of the early Christians enhances the reliability of biblical history, and the Cross is hardly the stuff of huckster advertising.

Further, the Resurrection fulfils all of scripture. In the gospels, we hear a litany-like repetition of the phrase, “So that Scriptures may be fulfilled.” Portions of Mary’s Magnificat prayer of joy are rooted in Old Testament prayers. Jesus prays the psalms on the Cross. The references reinforce the unity of the Old Testament with the New Testament and restore the integrity of salvation history from start to finish.

The early Christians didn’t cancel history but evaluated the past by the Word. “So Paul, standing in the middle of the Areopagus, said: ‘Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To an unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.’” (Acts 17:22-23) 
Ancient civilizations challenge modern arrogance. History teaches: Been there, done that.

Among the discolored ruins in Athens ravaged by time, the custodians provide a bright white recently-hewn block of marble. The unweathered stone provokes the imagination and allows us to visualize the glorious remnants as brightly elegant, unique structures that rival the splendor of modern skyscrapers. The ancients were hardly our inferiors in construction management. Confidence in ancient history helps us dismiss the false promises of Marxism that place faith in relentless human progress. 

However, that bright white piece of marble also suggests that [...] gospel historians were not, by default, inferior to modern progressives. The truth of honest testimony is immutable. “For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” (2 Peter 1:16)

Truth in its absolute form, as derived from historical information, has been the focus of much of the theological argument in the Church over the centuries. Therefore, we can say this: "The Church safeguards the integrity of salvation history." Our writer states:

The deposit of faith of the Church—rooted in Scripture and Sacred Tradition—guarantees the unity of all of history and carefully guards the eternal truths of the Gospel. The Apostles’ Creed summarizes history from start to finish. The “one, holy, Catholic Church” delivers the Word until the end of time. Jesus is the Lord of history. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last. (cf. Rev. 22:13)

The saving history of Jesus critiques all of history—individual and collective. Confident in the Word, we encounter Him throughout history in the Sacraments and realize our worth in His eyes. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

The writer of this piece is Fr. Jerry Pokorsky, a priest of the U.S. Diocese of Arlington. Trained in business and accounting, he also holds a Master of Divinity and a Master’s in moral theology. Read his full article here.  

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