UNTITLED

Somewhere along the way religion, any religion, became synonymous with ignorance, or even low intelligence. And although there have been some dark times filled with superstition, the pursuit of Divinity and higher wisdom has always included bright, inquisitive, and scientific minds.

I am no longer into serious apologetics. Long arguments. Pages and pages of historical facts from all the academic disciplines meant to defend the faith.

But I came across a sentence in a discarded book I found at a book sale and it reminded me of my apologetic days. It reminded me that “seeking the things of god” has always been a faith and intellectual journey throughout world history.

Everett Emerson wrote:

“In the years before the Revolution many of the best American minds were attracted to religion and the ministry; the struggle between good and evil was to be found within men’s souls,” (p. 10).

So true!

The book is a pretty dry read, but filled with gems.

Robert M. Benton writes, “Not only did the pulpit play an important role in the Revolution; the Revolution played a vital role in the history of the ministry in America,” (p. 82).

He goes on to say that President Ezra Stiles of Yale in 1783 “characterizes Americans as missionaries to the world,” and the “American Republic, by illuminating the world with truth and liberty, would be exalted and made high among the nations,” (Benton, p. 83).

If you are a god-fearing person, you are in great company with great minds of every generation. Don’ t let the world fool you with its jokes and taunting. Smart people have always been interested in God. Some have even been known to be converted while they were trying to disprove the idea of God, or Divinity, or anything spiritual.

If you want to learn more about apologetics, you will find tons of resources on the internet. My mind was stretched by Mere Christianity, by C. S. Lewis, and many, many others.

And, most recently, by a very smart, discarded book.

(The North Carolina State Board of Education, Department of Community Colleges Libraries, discarded American Literature, 1764-1789, The Revolutionary Years. )