Category: The Historical Muse

Thoughts on history and the historical profession. Clio is the muse of history–this category title is a play on that concept.

Education & Biblical Roots

  

The United States Constitution doesn’t say one word about education. That may surprise some people. The Founders didn’t consider government—at least at the federal level—to be the source of education. The 10th Amendment made it crystal clear [if only we would see the obvious intent of that amendment so clearly today] that whatever authority was not found in the Constitution was left to the states and to the people, respectively. Educational authority is not found there. Yet even if we… Read more »

Religion, Morality, and Knowledge

  

As Americans began to move into new territories after the Revolution, the Congress set up rules for how those territories were to be governed and how they could become states. The Northwest Territory—which consisted of the current states of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, and part of Wisconsin—was the first region to be settled. Even before the Constitution was written, the fledgling American Congress under the Articles of Confederation passed what was called the Northwest Ordinance. It was a very significant… Read more »

Empty Words . . . Dire Consequences

  

We’re now going to engage Iran in “talks.” The president seems to believe that talking will solve all problems. This is based, I believe, on his worldview, which doesn’t truly recognize the Biblical doctrine of evil. Instead, he feels that whatever problems the world faces are the result of misunderstandings. Well, I do think he misunderstands some things. There are evil people in the world who cannot be talked out of their evil designs. One of them is Mahmoud Ahmadinejad,… Read more »

The Truly Valuable Part of Mankind

  

I commented on the attitude of the U.N. in yesterday’s posting, particularly how America has been a target of the majority of nations that comprise that body. Today, this political cartoon appeared, making the same point. The real issue here is why we want those nations to like us in the first place. Most of them are dictatorial thuggeries (is that a word?) rather than legitimate governments. For instance . . . I was reminded of a statement George Washington… Read more »

Harvard & Yale: Solid Foundations

  

The first college founded in America was Harvard. It got its name from a Puritan settler, John Harvard, who donated his library to get it started. Its motto, as depicted on its seal, is “Veritas,” the Latin word for “Truth.” The first rules and precepts adopted by Harvard stated, Let every Student be plainly instructed, and earnestly pressed to consider well, the main end of his life and studies is, to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life, John 3:17 and… Read more »

Early American Education

  

How did we get to where we are in education policy today, considering how we started? In early America, before we became a separate nation, children received their education from three possible sources, and in this order of importance: home, church, school. Most children never attended a formal school, yet somehow we were a literate society. That’s hard for some people to believe nowadays. Even where schools existed, such as in New England, not all children attended them. They were… Read more »

American Character: John Jay

  

He was a significant founder, yet not many people know his name. He was a devoted Christian, but how many are aware of that? John Jay’s family came to America as persecuted Protestants from France. Liberty of conscience came with them, and that belief was transferred to him. Jay was deeply involved in the constitutional debate over Great Britain’s policies leading to the American Revolution. While he was very concerned over the British government’s claims, he nevertheless was a moderate… Read more »