Early American Christian Abuses

There were many faithful people who settled America. Why did folks living in Europe come to an uncharted world? There were two reasons: 1) America, called Virginia, at that time was a business venture and 2) for religious freedom and to fulfill The Great Commission for the propagation of the Gospel. Both were noble and reasonable reasons, but note that there were two. The latter is so often overlooked, especially by the judicial system.

In fulfilling the two just causes adventurers had to interact with the aboriginal people, incorrectly named "Indians" because of limited geographical knowledge at that time. Hence, today we have a part of our American population who are incorrectly called "Indians", but are a rich part of our heritage and should be correctly called "Earliest Americans" or "American Aboriginals".

John Smith wrote extensively of the founding of Jamestown, even mapping out fairly accurately most of the east coast of North America. Although some areas are "laughable" such as the shape of Florida, it actually was a very good job of portraying this continent so early. Smith also wrote of the dealings between the adventurers and Indians. Sometimes there was a fair relationship and at others war. Seldom was there an exceptional friendship between those with white faces and those to whom the land belonged.

Life itself depended upon trade with the Indians. The adventurers were for the most part, not tillers of the soil nor hunters of game as the Indians were. Many were either tradesmen or noblemen without skills suitable for living in the wilderness. At times the crops of the Indians were even poor. Smith and his band of adventurers would then travel inland and "take" corn from the Indians, having little left to trade or buy. Although the Indians too had their own flaws, after all, it was their land being encroached upon by strangers in tall ships. Fear made them anxious and rightfully protective of what they had.

The Virginia Company was a capitalistic endeavor to make money through the search for gold, but ending in the selling of pelts to the gentry of England and the Continent. Looking in desperation to survive, the white man abused his fellow man. It was man's instinct to survive which made him unreasonable. Most of us need to thank John Smith and the others for persevering so that America, once a dream for riches, are now riches fulfilled. Even with the abuse of the Indians, the settlement of America is still God's will. He uses a crooked stick when necessary to do his will. (That statement is attributed to Martin Luther who said " “God can draw a straight line with a crooked stick." ) Using capitalism as a tool the gospel of Jesus came alive upon the shores of an unexplored land.

Let's give credit where credit is due!  The land was not "unknown". It was only unknown to those who didn't know it. The Indians knew America quite well. They just wanted to keep their little secret from civilization because they were happy with what they knew. While the adventurers came to know the land, the land came to know about God!

Matthew 28:18 "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

The adventurers did just that! They taught the Indians about Christ and his love, but also introduced them to "bottled hell"; firewater. Not knowing that American Indians have a propensity genetically for alcoholism, alcohol was used to purchase vast areas of land for a pittance. The Indians had little idea what the private concept of land ownership was and fell victim to that which they had little knowledge. Christians abused those whose souls they were trying to save!

One of the first tribes converted to Christianity, if not the first, was the Wampanoag people of what's now around Martha's Vineyard.  Bibles were published in their own language and the people readily became converts. However, the white man eventually destroyed the domicile Indian culture that Christianity had created through war. Christians abused Christians.

Indians had customs deemed "savage" to the civilized world. The arriving people stirred up the savage within the Indian and thus, the Indians responded with savagery! A circle of violence was in the making because "worlds collide". (This is an expression which I created to explain why marriages fail and friends argue.) The colliding worlds are still in collision. This Christian nation hasn't always been a good example, but for the most part, the Indian has ended up on the short end of the stick. However, that crooked stick has yielded positive results!

Luke 15:10 "Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents."

It is reported that most North American Indians are Christians now and most of those are protestants. Considering that there are around 3,000,000 Indians in American, thousands of angels have sung at their conversion!  It's obvious that God draws a straight line with a crooked stick. Millions have eternal life because of the persecution of some.

Matthew 5:10 "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

The Indian has been persecuted not only in leading them to Christ, but in taking what they have for nefarious reasons, usually greed. Matthew is speaking of the former, but like the Wampanoags, although they were Christians, they were still persecuted.

The Indian is an example! They are a majority Christian nation within a nation that was at one time Christian. Perhaps they will maintain the faith of their fathers, and not go the way of pleasure, as are Americans in general.  Perhaps God will have an abused people rise up and protect his investment! The white man came here that souls of red men might be saved. Perhaps the Indian can now call on God to save the race which abused theirs!