Thomas Jefferson's ownership of slaves in a country built on Christian principles raises questions about the gulf between ideals and practices. His famous line in the Declaration of Independence, 'all men are created equal,' was an aspiration, but not yet a reality on the ground. Jefferson's views on slavery reflect the tension between ideational and sensei cultures, and his inability to reconcile his ideals with the practical concerns of his time. [... more]

The New Testament teaches that every legitimate kind of work or social function is a sacred calling from God, and that believers should approach their work with humility, reliability, and complicity, as if serving Jesus Christ, to fulfill their divine purposes and reflect God's glory. [... more]

Abraham Lincoln's complicated faith life is explored by historian Richard Corradine, who reveals that Lincoln was deeply unimpressed with pro-slavery theology and instead believed in the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. Lincoln's views on faith evolved over time, and he turned to the Bible for comfort during the Civil War. His second inaugural address is a remarkable plea for national unity and forgiveness, and it reflects his deep understanding of the complexities of American history and the role of religion in shaping the nation's identity. [... more]

The book of Deuteronomy contains laws given by Moses that are critical for Christians in living the Christian life. God's law is not just a set of rules, but a call to avoid idolatry and to have a personal relationship with Him. The law is designed to support this relationship and to warn against the great human temptation to replace God with something else. In Deuteronomy, we see a call to rest and to remember God as the rescuer of slaves, and to understand our relationships with one another in a communal spirit of mutuality. [... more]

In this passage from Colossians, Pastor Wyatt Cudd explores the roles and relationships within a Christian family, including the dynamics between husbands and wives, parents and children, and masters and slaves. He emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries, showing love and kindness, and honoring one's parents, even as a grown adult. [... more]

Saint Patrick's story began as a slave in Ireland, but he found God and became a missionary, converting thousands to Christianity. He opposed slavers, Irish kings, and Druids, and his work led to a chain of events that impacted continental Europe. Patrick's humility and conviction in his faith inspired a nation, and his legacy continues to offer hope for religious reconciliation in Ireland. [... more]

Dr. Tony Evans explains how God's grace changed everything, and how easy it is to slip back into slavery as he talks about what it really means to be liberated by grace. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the difference between the old system of law and the new system of grace, and how grace is a system whose rules are predicated on a relationship. [... more]

The American Constitution, created by imperfect men, allowed for the existence of slavery in some areas while permitting its prohibition in others. Historian Bill McClay explores the complexities of the Constitution's relationship with slavery, highlighting the compromises made by the founding fathers and the ongoing impact of these decisions on American society. [... more]

Money reveals our hearts, and our pursuit of treasure often leads to anxiety and slavery. Jesus cares about treasure not because He opposes wealth, but because wealth competes for what He alone deserves, our trust. Generosity can reveal the heart, but it doesn't automatically transform it. True freedom comes from loving Christ most, and when Christ becomes our treasure, everything else takes its proper place. [... more]

A Christian who is happy he is one is the greatest attraction to Christianity, as demonstrated by Daniel's unwavering faith and commitment to his God, even in the face of danger and adversity, and by William Wilberforce's long-standing fight against the slave trade, shining the light of truth in a corrupt world. [... more]

January 1st, 1863, marked a pivotal moment in U.S. history as President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing all slaves in rebel states. However, for enslaved people, this day was known as Heartbreak Day, as they feared being sold or leased out to other plantations. Lincoln's decision to sign the proclamation on this day symbolized a new beginning and a shift towards freedom. Similarly, when facing heartbreak days in our own lives, we can find hope and redemption through our relationship with Jesus, as taught in Romans 8, which emphasizes our inheritance in Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome suffering and trials. [... more]

Phyllis Wheatley, a young African American slave, was brought to America in 1761 and eventually became the first published African American poet, surprising her owners with her literacy and writing skills, and later gaining recognition and freedom in England. [... more]

Charles Spurgeon, a renowned pastor and theologian, was born into a legacy of pastors and became one of the most influential pastors in history. He resisted God's Spirit, but eventually found salvation at the age of 16 after hearing a simple message from a lay preacher. Spurgeon went on to preach to thousands, start numerous ministries, and write over 140 books, despite suffering from physical ailments and controversy throughout his life. [... more]

A white cloth, seemingly ordinary, holds an extraordinary story of the American Civil War, slavery, and the struggle for freedom. It was woven by an enslaved person on a plantation in South Carolina, and its history reveals the complexities of the war and the lives of those who lived through it. [... more]

The Apostle Paul's message in Galatians chapter 4 emphasizes the importance of freedom over slavery, highlighting the distinction between natural ability and moral ability. He argues that humans are born in a state of spiritual and moral bondage, and that only God can set us free. Paul's teachings on original sin, free will, and the gospel are explored in the context of the Galatians, with a focus on the tension between living in freedom and being trapped in slavery. [... more]

Susannah Wesley, the mother of John and Charles Wesley, dedicated her life to teaching and counseling her 21 children, despite facing numerous challenges and hardships. She struggled with her husband's inflexible personality and stubborn wills, but continued to believe and teach the importance of spiritual growth and faith. Her efforts ultimately led to the impact of her two sons on the world, with John preaching to over a million people and Charles writing over 9,000 hymns. [... more]

Greg Barshaw, founder of Connect Two Ministries, shares his heart for rescuing children from modern-day slavery in Haiti, and how his own experiences with grief and loss have equipped him to minister to others in their darkest moments. He emphasizes the importance of long-suffering, empathy, and compassion in the face of human suffering, and encourages listeners to put their theology into action by serving others in practical ways. [... more]

The Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of not adding to the gospel, as the Galatians were tempted to do by reverting to Old Testament ceremonies. He highlights the contrast between freedom and bondage, and knowing God versus not knowing God. Paul also stresses the need for sanctification, where Christ is formed in believers, and the importance of not turning back to the 'shadows' of the Old Testament. [... more]

Don Lemon's arrest for disrupting a church service sparks debate on free speech and journalism. Meanwhile, Catherine O'Hara's passing has some speculating about the 'Rule of Three' celebrity deaths. In other news, a taxidermy bear is stolen in Michigan, Google Chrome's AI feature is causing controversy, and recalled products are making headlines. The census data shows a significant shift in population growth, with red states gaining and blue states losing residents. Virginia's tax proposals are also under scrutiny, and Lady Gaga's performance in Tokyo highlights the country's strict immigration policies. [... more]

Richard Allen rose from slavery in colonial America to become a prosperous entrepreneur and inspirational preacher in the early Republic. He was a devoted follower of the Methodist Church and used his faith to advocate for the abolition of slavery and civil rights for African Americans. Allen's activism and leadership played a significant role in shaping the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the fight against slavery in America. [... more]

Benjamin Rush, a founding father and signer of the Declaration of Independence, boldly opposed slavery and championed the cause of liberty, reflecting his Christian faith and conviction that each person is made in the image of God and worthy of dignity and respect. [... more]

Like Jesus, Moses rescued the people from the bondage that was caused by their sin, illustrating our salvation through the story of the Exodus. God's power to save works both on a grand scale and in the small details of our lives, as seen in the book of Exodus, which defines salvation and depicts our deliverance from sin and oppression. [... more]

John Newton, a former slave trader, composed the famous hymn Amazing Grace in 1773 after reflecting on God's goodness in his life. The hymn, which was first sung in the small parish of Olney, has become a powerful symbol of hope and redemption, especially in the context of slavery and injustice. [... more]

Andrew Jackson's cursing parrot is a lesser-known story from his life, but it reveals a complex view of enslaved people's morality and religion. Mark Cheatham, a history professor, shares the story of how the parrot's language was perceived by the enslaved community at Jackson's funeral, and how it challenges the common narrative of enslaved people's spirituality. [... more]

John Quincy Adams, the sixth president of the United States, grew up in a family of patriots and was deeply influenced by his father's values of service and courage. He traveled extensively throughout Europe as a young man, learning multiple languages and developing a deep understanding of politics and diplomacy. Adams went on to become a skilled diplomat and politician, serving as Secretary of State and eventually president. However, his presidency was marked by controversy and failure, and he was eventually recalled from office. Undeterred, Adams returned to Congress, where he became a leading voice against slavery, introducing petitions and arguing cases before the Supreme Court. His most notable victory came in the Amistad case, where he successfully argued for the freedom of enslaved Africans on a ship that had been seized by the US Navy. Adams' unwavering commitment to his principles and his willingness to challenge the status quo made him a hero of the anti-slavery movement and a lasting figure in American history. [... more]

The story of St. Nicholas, a man of selfless love and generosity, inspires reflection on the true meaning of Christmas. His life embodied the gospel message of love and generosity, and his acts of kindness pointed others to the greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ. As people exchange presents and celebrate with loved ones, they're reminded that the greatest gift has already been given, and that sharing that gift with others is what truly makes this season special. [... more]

Thomas Shipley, a 19th-century Christian philanthropist, devoted his life to the extinction of human bondage, and his tireless efforts helped free hundreds of black Americans captured by slave owners and kidnappers, laying the foundation for the Underground Railroad. [... more]

The 13th Amendment's ratification marked the end of slavery in the United States, but its abolition was a long and complex process. Ideas about human identity and moral decency played a crucial role in shifting cultural attitudes, and champions like Wilberforce and Lincoln helped bring about the end of this institution. The history of slavery and the 13th Amendment teaches us that human history is not inevitable, and our actions have real meaning. [... more]

Thomas Jefferson's paradoxical nature has made him an everyman figure in American history, with his words 'We hold these truths to be self-evident' influencing various historical events and figures, including the Declaration of Independence and the constitutions of Vietnam and the United States. However, his ownership of slaves and inability to take a strong stand against slavery in his latter years have raised questions about his legacy and moral bankruptcy. [... more]

Harry Hoosier, a black Methodist preacher, played a significant role in the American Revolution and the abolition of slavery. Born into slavery in North Carolina, he was freed by a slave owner and went on to travel the country preaching the gospel. His message of freedom from human bondage and sin earned him widespread acclaim, and the term 'Hoosier' became synonymous with the people of Indiana who were influenced by his teachings. [... more]

The story of how three slaves escaping to the Union's Fort Monroe provided the spark that led to Abraham Lincoln earning the nickname the Great Emancipator. Lincoln's public statements about the war were cautious, but the actions of General Butler and the escapees themselves ultimately changed the course of the war and the fate of slavery in the United States. [... more]

The story of the Compromise of 1850, a pivotal moment in American history, where the nation teetered on the edge of civil war over the expansion of slavery. Gettysburg National Park Service Ranger John Hoptak recounts the events leading up to the compromise, including the debates in Congress, the roles of key figures such as Zachary Taylor, Henry Clay, John C. Calhoun, and Daniel Webster, and the ultimate passage of the compromise, which admitted California as a free state, strengthened the Fugitive Slave Act, and allowed New Mexico to decide for itself whether to allow slavery. [... more]

James E. Ward Jr. shares his zero victim mentality, inspired by historical figures like Booker T. Washington and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who encouraged people to overcome injustice with a new attitude, promoting non-violence, peace, and forgiveness in the face of racial and social challenges. [... more]

God made us body, soul, and spirit, and we have natural drives toward pleasure that are God-given desires. However, pleasure can become addictive and lead to spiritual slavery. The Bible teaches balance between enjoying God's blessings and falling into bondage. Christians often overestimate their immunity from Satan's attacks and underestimate their enemy's resolve to destroy them. Pleasure is wrong when it is in excess, becomes a life focus, or violates the teaching of God's Word. [... more]

The story of Tom Stonewall Jackson, a legendary Confederate general, reveals a complex and nuanced individual who was driven by his Christian faith, his love of family, and his commitment to education. Despite being a slave owner, Jackson secretly taught slaves and free blacks to read and worship, and his legacy continues to inspire Americans today. [... more]

The true freedom in Christ is not about doing one's own thing, but about surrendering to the Lord Jesus Christ. Boldness in faith is essential for receiving God's faithful confirmation, but it must be accompanied by a willingness to submit to God's authority and surrender to His power. False imitators and false teachers will always be present, but true repentance involves abandoning the paraphernalia of sin and surrendering to the authority of Jesus Christ. [... more]

Army Sergeant William H. Carney, a former enslaved man, fought and bled for his nation in the Civil War, becoming the first black American to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor for his valorous service. He protected the American flag at Fort Wagner, a pivotal moment in American history that epitomizes the lengths to which one might strive to fulfill America's founding ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. [... more]

Governor Morris, a founding father, played a pivotal role in the framing and formation of the U.S. Constitution, writing the document itself and its famous preamble. He also spoke passionately against slavery, delivering a speech that has been called the first abolitionist speech in American public life. [... more]

Catherine Thompson, a runaway slave, and her infant son Joel, faced a precarious freedom living in the antebellum North. Despite the history of abolitionism, the forces of slavery still lurked across the state of Pennsylvania, and Catherine's case highlights the high-stakes game of life and death between slave catchers and abolitionists. [... more]

God's message to man is to trust in Him, even when feeling forsaken. The Bible teaches that God owns creation and that humans are only temporary tenants of the land. The Jubilee system, outlined in Leviticus, provides a framework for the release of slaves and the return of property to its original owners, highlighting God's concern for the poor and the vulnerable. [... more]