There has been much said in recent years about the origins and development of the United States. A general rewriting of the American project is well under way, “correcting” mythologies of freedom, virtue, and self-determination by substituting alternative mythologies of oppression, vice, and victimhood-ad-infinitum. 

To me, the most remarkable aspect of this revisionism is its profoundly pessimistic perspective. 

Not only has our written history got it all wrong, the new ideologues insist, but our fundamental understanding of human beings is all wrong, too. 

Their ethos is a reversal of the famous line penned by Anne Frank (teenage victim of the Holocaust). 

She wrote, “In spite of everything, I still believe people are good at heart.” 

They maintain, “Because of everything, we must believe people are evil at heart.”

It’s fascinating to note the twisted perversion of Calvinism that defines progressive history… “original sin” and “human depravity” are the dominant themes; the absence of God makes them terminal conditions. 

But the Thanksgiving holiday provides us with a lavishly hopeful corrective. As a specifically / definitionally “American” holiday, Thanksgiving contradicts everything about hellfire and brimstone, circa 2021 (the “woke” versions). 

Thanksgiving reminds us of both the aspirational truth of “one nation, under God” and the historical fact of this being founded as a Christian nation. Thanksgiving gives us an opportunity to celebrate the perfect goodness of God as manifested in imperfect people living through imperfect epochs, and to anticipate God’s perfect goodness as the solution to the imperfect people and imperfect conditions of our own present epoch. 

Recall the origins of the Thanksgiving holiday: pilgrims recently arrived in America with the specific goal of worshiping God as their consciences dictated. They were not seeking wealth, fame, or power; they were seeking freedom to glorify God in ways that were illegal in the Old World. 

Their numbers had been decimated by disease and deprivation – 51 of 102 had survived the first year. Significantly, of these 51 survivors, only four were wives / mothers. The harvest was scant, and hopes for provisions from England had been dashed. Another bleak winter of suffering was approaching. 

Against this background of hardship and grief, a feast of thanksgiving to God was their imperative. Why? Because their love and trust of God was bigger than their circumstances. Because their vision for the future depended on God’s faithfulness, not their own resources. And because gratitude was a requirement for those who would glorify the God whose Word enjoined them,

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 

(1 Thessalonians 5:16 – 18)

Given their meager food supplies, even the inclusion of their neighbors, the Wampanoag tribe, only makes sense as scriptural obedience.

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. 

(Hebrews 13:2)

The pilgrims’ stubborn optimism and grateful perseverance in the face of overwhelming challenge only makes sense in the context of faith. 

Let’s be clear: without a divine Providence as protection and guide, without holy commandments as structure and basis for legal code, without fierce commitment to freedom as gift from God (to be stewarded for God) – there would have been no First Thanksgiving. 

If we are scrupulously honest, without God there can be no Thanksgiving circa 2021.

Think about it: the religion of progressivism demands that gratitude itself be regarded with suspicion and cynicism. 

Victims should not be grateful for blessings; victims should be resentful for things withheld and aggressive in pushing for more things, now. 

And if we are not victims, then we are – by default and definition – oppressors. Oppressors must not be grateful for anything – oppressors are guilty of everything, and therefore should be ashamed of blessings. 

Progressivism is based on a “lose / lose” paradigm so profound that it can be sustained only by ongoing struggle, ongoing conflict, ongoing hate.

The Christian faith offers the opposite paradigm: 

Into this age of division and deception, Christianity speaks FORGIVENESS and RECONCILIATION, for all people – victims, oppressors, and everyone in between. Jesus Christ has invited everyone into His family, made a place for everyone at His feast, prepared homes for everyone in His Kingdom.

Into this age of deep despair, Christianity speaks HOPE, for all people – victims, oppressors, and everyone in between. Jesus Christ has taken all our sins (individual and collective) and defeated them. The Holy Spirit is available to abide within us and empower us to live in ongoing victory and peace. We are invited to call the Sovereign of the Universe “our Father.” 

In light of forgiveness, reconciliation, and hope, an outpouring of gratitude is not only logical – it is inevitable! 

I encourage you, Friends, to raise your eyes to the God who provides not just the Thanksgiving meal but the very air we breathe. 

Politics and pandemics (and progressivism) are temporary – our God is from everlasting to everlasting! 

And we belong not to politics, pandemics, or philosophical permutations – but to Him. 

Praise Him. Praise Him! 

And happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

Come, ye thankful people, come, 
raise the song of harvest home; 
all is safely gathered in, 
ere the winter storms begin. 
God our Maker doth provide 
for our wants to be supplied; 
come to God’s own temple, come, 
raise the song of harvest home. 

All the world is God’s own field, 
fruit as praise to God we yield; 
wheat and tares together sown 
are to joy or sorrow grown; 
first the blade and then the ear, 
then the full corn shall appear; 
Lord of harvest, grant that we 
wholesome grain and pure may be. 

For the Lord our God shall come,
and shall take the harvest home; 
from the field shall in that day 
all offenses purge away, 
giving angels charge at last 
in the fire the tares to cast; 
but the fruitful ears to store 
in the garner evermore. 

Even so, Lord, quickly come,
bring thy final harvest home; 
gather thou thy people in, 
free from sorrow, free from sin, 
there, forever purified, 
in thy presence to abide; 
come, with all thine angels, come, 
raise the glorious harvest home.