Columbus Day of Judgment: From Dark Idolatrous Lands to Divine Providence in the Americas
And a warning to modern America facing the same fate.
Today, as we observe Columbus Day, we find an excellent moment to ponder on God's divine providence. Often overlooked in the midst of barbecues and discounted sales, the monumental voyage of Christopher Columbus in 1492 was no accident. From a biblical perspective, this journey should rightly be viewed as part of God's sovereign plan for spreading Christianity and Western civilization to a region of the world that was, at the time, engulfed in darkness and idolatry.
Christopher Columbus was not just an intrepid explorer, he was a man guided by his faith. His ambitions were not purely materialistic, but had a spiritual dimension—he sought to spread Christianity, whether or not his version was corrupt, to lands hitherto unknown to Europeans. The narrative propagated by leftists that Columbus was not a Christian but merely an exploiter of the native American people misses the nuances of historical context and divine sovereignty. This is in no way meant to be and endorsement of the Roman Catholic Church, to which Columbus was a part of. However, keep in mind, that this was prior to the Reformation, and as corrupt and oppressive as the Roman Catholic Church is and was, during that time, it was the institution available.
Columbus, like all of us, was undoubtedly a flawed and sinful man, but this does not mean he was bereft of his evangelistic calling. God used Columbus, despite his imperfections and religious views, as a vessel for a greater purpose. Just as God used imperfect men throughout the Bible to fulfill His plans, so too did He use Columbus to bring about a new chapter in human history, one that would see the spread of Western civilization and, more importantly, Christianity to new territories.
The Americas, before the arrival of Columbus and other Europeans, were far from a utopian paradise. Many of the indigenous peoples engaged in practices not only deeply at odds with Christianity, but opposed to nature. Horrifically, some tribes carried out human sacrifices to appease their gods, practiced cannibalism, and were mired in forms of idolatry that kept them in spiritual darkness. In particular, the Aztec Empire was notorious for its gruesome rituals, which included the removal of human hearts and ritualistic cannibalism.
These horrific rituals were not just isolated incidents but were systemic, and deeply ingrained in the religious and cultural fabric of these indigenous peoples. While some might argue that Columbus' arrival led to the subjugation of these indigenous populations, we really ought to look at the bigger picture of God's plan and purpose. God, in His ultimate wisdom and sovereignty, saw fit to use Columbus and subsequent settlers as instruments to abolish many of these dark practices. The arrival of Christianity led to the dismantling of these cruel customs and crimes against humanity and offered the hope of salvation through Jesus Christ.
The introduction of Christian values and beliefs to the Americas illuminated a world that was engulfed in spiritual obscurity. It allowed countless souls to break free from the shackles of idolatry and false gods. To ignore or belittle this transformation is to neglect the overarching story of God’s providence, a providence that works even through flawed individuals and complex historical events. As we reflect on the legacy of Columbus, as Christians, we can't help but see it in the context of God's sovereign plan—a plan that is always aimed at the fulfillment of His will and the ultimate good of those who love Him.