WHY HISTORY MATTERS
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”-1 John 2:15-17
On August 19, 1966 – Chinese students launched a fight for social justice to fight for the rights of the oppressed in China. It was widely believed that the ‘patriarchal system’ in China had been created by the 1% and held down women, minorities, and the working class. The students cried out for a revolution and change, and consequentially launched the infamous Chinese Cultural Revolution. Students put a red band around their arm to stand in solidarity with the oppressed and called for a change on old ideas that they called the FOUR OLDS. The Four Olds were: Old Customs, Old Culture, Old Habits, and Old Ideas.
The movement was supported by the Chinese media. Mass demonstrations and looting by the students ensued. Statues were torn down. Chinese architecture was destroyed. Classical literature and Chinese paintings were torn apart and burned. Temples were desecrated. The Cemetery of Confucius was attacked. The corpse of the 76th-generation Duke Yansheng was removed from its grave and hung from a tree. Wealthy homes were attacked and destroyed. All of history, in short, was to be removed and replaced. This was the central meaning of Cultural Revolution: That China was going to destroy every trace of its bourgeois (privileged) past and replace it with a new culture built on the principles of Maoism and Marxism. The police were disbanded in the city and the students formed a community solution called the RED GUARD. The RED GUARDS policed the communities and punished anyone who did not agree with their ideas. Even people that supported the movement, but had bad thoughts (“wrong think”) could be punished. The promise of equality for all through this “new” movement in China was a lie, that continues to place people in physical, emotional, economic, and religious bondage.
The way of the world is not the way of Christ. The philosophies and principles of this world bring bondage…only Christ brings true freedom. Sadly, even many in the church think that bringing in godless philosophies and practices will somehow bring what all people desire…freedom. This is the deception and the lie that the enemy of our souls would love for us to believe and implement. Whether we are talking about Nazi Germany, Communist Russia, or Communist China…these ungodly movements promised utopia, while bringing pain, poverty, and godless societies. If we want freedom for all people, the only answer is found in Jesus. Only Jesus brings true freedom. History tells us that the movements of man brings bondage…it also tells us that through the centuries Jesus has brought true freedom to everyone who has trusted and followed Him. John 8:36 tells us of the promise of true freedom…”Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”
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