Columbus
Living Liberty Today with Charlie Earl
From: Wikipedia
“The name Christopher Columbus is the anglicization of the Latin Christophorus Columbus. Growing up on the coast of Liguria, he went to sea at a young age and traveled widely, as far north as the British Isles and as far south as what is now Ghana. He married Portuguese noblewoman Filipa Moniz Perestrelo, who bore a son, Diego, and was based in Lisbon for several years. He later took a Castilian mistress, Beatriz Enríquez de Arana, who bore a son, Ferdinand.[5][6][7]
Largely self-educated, Columbus was knowledgeable in geography, astronomy, and history. He developed a plan to seek a western sea passage to the East Indies, hoping to profit from the lucrative spice trade. After the Granada War, and Columbus’s persistent lobbying in multiple kingdoms, the Catholic Monarchs, Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand II, agreed to sponsor a journey west. Columbus left Castile in August 1492 with three ships and made landfall in the Americas on 12 October, ending the period of human habitation in the Americas now referred to as the pre-Columbian era. His landing place was an island in the Bahamas, known by its native inhabitants as Guanahani. He then visited the islands now known as Cuba and Hispaniola, establishing a colony in what is now Haiti. Columbus returned to Castile in early 1493, with captured natives. Word of his voyage soon spread throughout Europe.”
Methinks ol’ Christophorus was con man. He convinced Isabella and Ferdinand that he knew a shortcut to China and India. Although he didn’t succeed, the royal couple gave him four bites of the apple and appointed him as Governor in the Caribbean. He had a rather ignominious end to his ‘new world’ adventures as he was accused of excessive cruelty and forced to defend himself in court. How cruel must one be to be considered excessive? On the positive side of his ledger, he didn’t sail off the edge of the Earth.
He was considered a hero by many for five centuries before being cast as an exploiter. From our earthly, fleshly view, 500 years as a positive, courageous role model is not a bad run. Our Founders and Framers of the United States have barely had 250 years of respect before having their reputations sullied by those who discredit them. There are 54 cities or communities named “Columbus” in the United States, and many of our forebearers have states, cities, counties and streets bearing their names. Given that statues and memorials have been torn down or defaced, I wonder when the renaming process will achieve critical mass. Admittedly, our history is not without its warts, but the efforts to change it, deny it, or demonize it seems excessively misguided.
Certainly, hero worship is unhealthy for a society or an individual. The source of our identity should not reside in another person no matter how notable. Respect our heroes and honor their contributions, but do not idolize or even worship them. Ever since the First Couple violated God’s Law, all of humanity is fallen…even our heroes. The Second Commandment instructs us to have no idols or graven images, and that prohibition includes other humans. The fact that we sometimes elevate historical figures to idol status, or even more egregious, idolize entertainers and athletes illustrates that many people seek an identity or model greater than themselves.
It is incumbent that we who follow Jesus Christ should share the faith with our fellows. He is ‘the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). He, through the Holy Spirit, will guide you, comfort you, and protect you. It takes a decision. Simply acknowledge you can’t make it alone. That you are a sinner who falls short of God’s will for you, and you wish to have peace and joy in your life. If you need help, seek it.
Amen.