We Have Been Wrong Before

What Christian History Teaches Us About Humility

Faithfulness often requires us to read with humility as well as conviction. Image: Canva Pro.

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One of the most challenging truths about faith is that sincere people can be profoundly wrong.

History makes this impossible to ignore.

There was a time when devout Christians defended slavery using the Bible. They preached sermons, wrote books, and quoted chapter and verse to justify the abuse and selling of human beings. They believed they were being faithful to God.

That is difficult to comprehend now.

We tend to imagine those who supported slavery as obviously immoral people with hardened consciences and little regard for human suffering. Some were undoubtedly driven by greed and self-interest. Yet many were also respected clergy, theologians, and church leaders.

They prayed. They studied Scripture. They were convinced that they were upholding divine truth. They were certain.

And they were wrong.

That is what makes this history so sobering.