Livy, today's historian

I am copying this from my other blog over at xanga.

I've been reading Livy's Early History of Rome (very, very slowly...not from lack of interest, but lack of time...the story of my life!), and I just LOVE this quote. This is WHY I love history, and WHY we as Christians should love history, and ultimately, WHY we have chosen to home educate our children (which is resulting in MY education, better late than never!)

"I invite the reader's attention to the much more serious consideration of the kind of lives our ancestors lived, of who were the men, and what the means both in politics and war by which Rome's power was first acquired and subsequently expanded; I would then have him trace the process of our moral decline, to watch, first, the sinking of the foundations of morality as the old teaching was allowed to lapse, then the rapidly increasing disintegration, then the final collapse of the whole edifice, and the dark dawning of our modern day when we can neither endure our vices nor face the remedies needed to cure them. The study of history is the best medicine for a sick (or discouraged, according to Mr. Callihan) mind; for in history you have a record of the infinite variety of human experience plainly set out for all to see; and in that record you can find for yourself and your country both examples and warnings; fine things to take as models, base things, rotten through and through, to avoid." (The Early History of Rome, Book I, Lattimore translation, emphasis mine)

Seems like there is nothing new under the sun, huh??

I am also really struck again by God's common grace...revealing truth to this ancient pagan. A pagan, yes, but a very observant and astute pagan. We would do well to heed his warning here in our country and in our own study of history. Reminds me of another excellent quote from the most excellent Author of the ages...

This is what the LORD says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, 'We will not walk in it.' (Jeremiah 6:6)

Lord, have mercy on us.

pax,
k