August 11, 2024
Dear Editor,
I love reading classic literature. Whenever I pick one up and read it, I learn something new. Without exceptions! For example, I certainly learn something new when I read the Scriptures. Other classics such as John Locke, Montesquieu, the US Constitution, and Federalist Papers can also help us increase our knowledge.
But, what about current events? Won’t we miss out on the current pressing issues? Covid, presidential election, etc.?
Indeed, current events are important. At the Patriots of Liberty and Constitution, we stress the importance of watching over the government and guarding our liberty. Yet, we need to ask ourselves this question, if we are to watch over the government, what standard should we hold it to? Of course, the Constitution. But there are more…
I love this quote from John Adams,
“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people.”
The unmistakable standard of morality and righteousness is present. In the last days, however, many will call evil good and good evil, and people hear indeed but understand not.
How would we recognize the truth? Humanity relies on three main sources to help us recognize truth: religion, history, and classical literature
History and classic literature are essential. These are life experiences and wisdom left by those that came before us. On multiple occasions, I had the privilege of conversing with young people that wished they had made different choices. Wrong choices brought them heartaches and pain. A common theme was that these young people wished that somebody, a mentor, would tell them the consequences of their actions—to teach them. Perhaps a bishop or a pastor.
History and classic literature are the mentors for us and for our nation. From history, we learned why a mighty empire could lose to some nomad raiders. From classics, we learned that if we don’t know history, we are doomed to repeat the same mistakes. On a national and global level, history and classic literature can be even more effective. These are the foundation of truth.
With a solid foundation of truth, current events come to life. We will see the news as guideposts to a larger path of journey on Earth. Or assurances to the labor of righteousness. At least, an evaluation of our combined goals. Current events are meaningful only if we have a solid foundation of truth and liberty.
In the information age, we are bombarded with an unlimited amount of information. But less than 10% of this information is meaningful. The other 90%…. is not. A standard of understanding the truth is essential. Perhaps, more so today than ever before.
Nonetheless, I am very aware of the concerns of over-emphasis on the classics at the expense of current events. The Patriots of Liberty and Constitution are currently studying the Federalist and Anti-Federalist Papers. We will take a year to two years to go over them. To balance current events with classical literature, every six months, we bring forward current literature. In the past two years, we have studied: the Righteous Mind, the Psychology of Totalitarianism, and the End of World is Just the Beginning. This December we will study: War And Peace And War and End Times.
I invite you to join us in learning the truth from the classics, supplemented by top-notch literature on current events. We meet weekly on Monday from 6:30 to 8:00 at the Mountain Valley Baptist Church (202 S Seventh Ave, Pocatello).
