Reflecting on God’s Story and the Risks of Erasing the Past
History as “His-story”: The Bible’s Perspective
When the Bible talks about history, it doesn’t just mean facts and dates. It’s presenting history as “His-story”—a story guided by God, moving on purpose from Creation to the end times. This isn’t just a random series of events. According to Scripture, God is actively involved, shaping history to reveal who He is and to guide people to live rightly.
The Bible tells believers to remember what happened in the past. Why? So we can learn from it, avoid repeating mistakes, and teach the next generation. History is not only a record; it’s a teacher. Romans 15:4 says that what happened before is for our instruction, endurance, and encouragement—giving us hope for the future. Daniel 2:21 reminds us that God is the one who puts kings and nations in place and takes them down. This means history isn’t just happening; it’s being directed. God is in charge.
Learning from Past Mistakes
One big theme in the Bible is that history is a tool for learning. When Israel disobeyed God, they faced exile and hardship. When they obeyed, they were blessed. These stories were written so future generations could see what happens when people turn their backs on God, and what happens when they follow Him. Ecclesiastes 1:9 notes that patterns repeat and there’s “nothing new under the sun.” Sometimes, history feels like it’s going in circles, but even in those cycles, there are lessons to be learned.
Why Erasing History Is Dangerous
Imagine reading a history book where the hardest chapters are missing or rewritten to make things seem better than they were. That’s what happens when people “whitewash” history. It’s like swapping out the real story for a version that’s easier to hear. But erasing parts of history is really trading truth for a lie.
Recently, after President Trump’s executive order in March 2025 called “restoring truth and sanity to American history,” some parks and museums changed or removed displays about racism, slavery, sexism, LGBTQ+ rights, Indigenous communities, and climate change. According to a lawsuit, these topics were taken out of public view. But why does this matter to everyone?
The Cost of Forgetting
When we remove stories about tough issues from our history, we risk forgetting both the mistakes we made and the progress we achieved. Pretending these struggles never happened means we lose the lessons they teach. It dishonors people who fought for justice and equality, and it leaves younger generations without a clear sense of how we got to where we are today. History isn’t always pretty or comfortable. Sometimes, it’s painful. But facing it honestly is crucial. Covering up the hard parts doesn’t make them disappear—it just makes it harder to learn from them and move forward.
Facing the Whole Truth—Biblical and Modern Wisdom
The Bible instructs that understanding history is key to keeping a faithful and wise perspective on the present. Telling the whole truth about history isn’t just about facts. It’s about respecting everyone’s story and making sure we don’t repeat old mistakes. True progress comes from acknowledging our past, flaws and all, and working together for a better future. When we remember history fully, we honor those who came before us and help those who come after us see the path we’ve walked—so they can walk it better.
Minister A Francine Green
February 2026
afrancinegreen.com 