“There are certain historians and critics sincerely convinced that they are unbiased, impartial, ‘scientific,’ who reject as ‘biased’ any opinion that clashes with their own bias: they are fools endowed with God-Almighty complex. A second group considers themselves ‘unbiased,’ because they understand all principles and have none themselves; opportunism is no more admirable in historiography than in daily life. Then there are the wolves in sheep’s clothing — the propaganda agents who boast of their lack of bias. Finally, there are those who frankly admit their bias but do their utmost to not be blinded or sidetracked by it. Impartiality is either a delusion of the simple-minded, or a banner of the opportunist, or the boast of the dishonest. Nobody is permitted to be unbiased toward truth or falsehood.”
Gaetano Salvemini
Harvard Professor
Author = “Prelude to World War II”
Preface
The Biblical Christian historian admits that he interprets and reads history through a Christian world and life view. For example, he doesn’t see chance or fate in history but rather he sees the providential hand of God. The Christian Historian views events as to whether they are in accordance with God’s revealed will or not, therefore, the Christian Historian, for example, would not glorify a Robespierre, a Lenin, or a social Revolution based on anti-Christ principles.
When we read history we need to keep the above principle in mind. Historians, like most white-collar professionals, do not write from a Biblical Christian perspective and so we must dine with them using a long spoon. We must seek to reinterpret their unbiblical interpretation in a biblical direction. This takes a great deal of practice and time to learn.
An excellent and insightful, but short explanation of bias in history. Every person needs to understand this vital truth. For too long historians have been viewed as “unbiased” and that just isn’t the case! Let the Bible be your guide and you will not go wrong.