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Articles posted on this page are intended to be of an Educational nature and intended for a young (8 to 16 years old) as well as a more Mature (16+ years old) audience.  Articles may cover any American History Era (Colonial, Fur Trade, Civil War for example) or may cover current Events (Rendezvous', Demonstrations, Re-Enactments, etc.)  Due to Web Site constraints, please limit article length to -3- pages of normal typed text.  You may also submit -1- photo or diagram related to your article.  Articles are subject to Web Master approval.  Submit articles to the Web Master via E-Mail to rmrondynews@juno.com

 

           The Bible In H.R.I. 
                      J. E. “Duke” (Smoke Talker) Paulsen 
 
(Web Master's Note:  This article was originally written in the Spring of 1998.)
            
    Over the past 5 or so years, I’ve been involved with Historical Interpretation and Re-Enactment.  In simple terms, I’m a History Teacher.  But unlike a Teacher that would merely stand in the front of a room full of un-learned students, I would put myself into a “First Person” character believable enough to convince others that I am a man who lived in the 1840’s.  This First Person character could then convey to those watching the manner of dress, speech, attitudes and social morays of a time long ago.            
 
   There are -2- major goals of Historical Re-Enactment and Interpretation: To cause one to remember the Past and (2) to learn from the Past.             

   While Historical Re-Enactment and Interpretation (HRI) of itself is not Biblical, the Bible does support some important principals of Historical Re-Enactment that are used today.            

   But why should we remember the past?  The past is our history.  “But call to remembrance the former days. . .” Hebrews 10:32a KJV.  It’s the “where we came from,” and the like.  The Past is where we find out who we are and where we came from.  We can also find out what circumstances and/or conditions (economic, social, living) that were in effect at the time we were born or earlier.            

   Why is it important for us to remember our past, especially in today’s Society?  We are more out of touch with reality than we give ourselves credit for.  For example, let me quote an article I wrote in the Western Vista Newsletter, August 1996 issue :  “During the 1996 Buffalo Bill Days in Golden, Cecil Lewis portrays a Trapper displaying his fur goods.  Nearby is an on-going fire heating a large coffee pot.  A little girl comes up to Cecil and asks, ‘Is that a real fire?’  Cecil turned away in disbelief.            

   “During Miner’s Days in Nederland, CO, part of the program included two hens & a baby rooster.  Linda Paulsen was asked by a child, ‘Is that a real chicken on the string?’  Even the mother was convinced the chicken was fake until she touched the chicken and gasped in surprise.            

   “As Historical Interpreters, I think it safe to say that a major part of our Hobby is to educate the Public about History.  But do we as Interpreters/Educators really understand what the Public perceives as History and the challenge it presents.            

   “In the last 30 or so years, TV and Hollywood has gone all out to provide movies and shows that in due time, have given the Public what they perceive as ‘real’ life.  Much of what is produced has good story lines and high quality Special Effects.            

   “But it’s NOT real.  And the recent generations asking these ‘stupid’ questions prove it.            

   “The child and her mother in Nederland were convinced that the chicken was an animated, electronic robot that ran on batteries.  At least until they touched it.  ‘It’s warm, and the feathers are soft,’ the mother said.            

   “Some other comments heard during BBD ‘96 :“ Is that a REAL dog?’  ‘Are you eating  REAL food?’  ‘I like your DEMO goats, they didn’t eat my clothes,’  and so-on.            

   “History as the Public perceives is has been cleaned and sanitized to the point that they have absolutely no idea what ‘the past’ was really like.  Thanks to the leaps and bounds of modern technology and in some cases re-written because of  ‘PC’ (Political Correctness), much of what we demonstrate, ‘never happened.’            

   “I don’t have all the answers how to overcome this challenge but I’ll offer this thought; make it REAL.”            

   But how do we make History, American History for example, “real?”            

   A desire or a “wanting” to teach.  “Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.”  Phillippians 4:17 KJV  The “fruit that may abound” mentioned here is the knowledge of U. S. History that you share that others may learn.
   
   Research..  2Timothy 2:15 KJV reads, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”  Good HRI people do LOTS of research into the character and time frame they wish to portray.  They also make sure that the information upon which their character is based is accurate and true.  Acts 17:11 KJV speaks of research in action, “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”            

   Interpret the Past.  By comparison, the Past is a “mysterious” time.  Things then were too simple by today’s standards.  Words had different meanings and contexts.  For example: “Manual labor” was a way of life complete with sweat.  “Horsepower” was the strength of your animal.  At night, you worked, played or read by candle or lamplight.  So different and confusing this Past.  It’s no wonder, especially with all the high-tech stuff that abounds today.              

   The Past could be compared to “an unknown tongue” that the Apostle Paul speaks of in 1Corinthians 14:4 KJV.  Those specially versed in History do understand what the Past was all about.  But to the rest of us, nothing makes sense.  “I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.”  1Cor 14:5 KJV.  The Interpreter has to declare the Past, be a bridge to the Past and to teach the Past.                       

   American History is an exciting time to portray.  What makes it so exciting, especially for Christians?  From the mid-1700’s through about 1970, the very fabric of our country’s History is woven with a strong belief in God.  People then believed that God exists, and He was real.  In portraying that time, one can be edified in learning the values that made this country great.              

   Be willing to learn.  Jeremiah 12:16a KJV, “And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people . . .”  Ever carry 2 buckets of water with a yoke on your shoulders and not spill a drop?  Pluck the feathers off a chicken then cook the bird for your supper in a cast iron pot?  These were everyday chores and more!             

   Another purpose of HRI is for a call to remembrance.  2Peter 1:13b KJV, “...to stir you up by putting you in remembrance.”  To remind us today that living in the 1700’s &1800’s was not always a life of leisure and was not as technically advanced as it is today.  No radio, no TV, no Nintendo, no electricity, no hot and cold running water, etc.  Milk came from a cow, as did butter and cream.  You had to cut your own firewood to cook and dinner had to be hunted.  Eggs came from real chickens.  Hay had to be cut and baled to feed your livestock.              

   The 1800’s were also a century of turmoil and change for the United States.  New States came into existence averaging one every 7 years.  Women were not yet allowed to vote.  Economics and slavery became a cause for the bloodiest war within a country’s borders in human history.  Gold, then later silver made many move west.  The American Indian was relegated to dismal reservations.  “But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;” Hebrews 10:32 KJV.            

   But America also had it’s good side.  Baseball, America’s favorite pastime came into being.  Many technological advances took place, the telegraph and later the telephone.  The Transcontinental Railroad now linked the East and West coasts.  The Emancipation Proclamation which ended slavery.  America’s Industrial revolution that would make our country the world’s leading exporter.            

   What character will you portray?  Many occupations and crafts of today are the same as they were in the 1800’s.  Trapper/Mountain Man, Farmer, Soldier (Union or Confederate), Merchant, Cooper (maker of wooden vessels) Doctor, Blacksmith, Preacher and even Tentmakers.  “And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.” Acts 18:3 KJV.  Be willing to work!              

   Let me pause a minute here to say that the Bible, God’s Word is not a “book of don’ts."  But God does instruct that whatever we do should be expedient to our faith and bring glory to God.  “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.” 1Cor. 10:23 KJV.  We can do anything we like because God gave us the power of choice.  But we can also make the choice to sin, or not to sin.            

   HRI is not just for individuals.  Whole families can be involved!  In the several years that I’ve been in HRI, it’s been all three of us, my Wife Linda, daughter Virginia and myself.  If convenient, we even take our pets, a cat and a chicken.  We’ve taken them to several events and to some Rendezvous.  Sorry, the chicken does not become “dinner.”             

   Families played a major role in American History.  Families worked together, played together, shared joys and sorrows, and most importantly, worshipped together.              

   In all of the re-enactments my Family and I have been part of, all but a very few included a worship service.  Does this imply that worship of our Lord and Saviour is a thing of the past?  Unfortunately for most people, the answer will be “yes.”  But for me, worship of our Lord and Saviour, namely Jesus Christ, is a very real activity.  “but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15b KJV.  Does this sound like a re-enactment?            

   There is a certain Rendezvous our Family attends every year.  Other Christian families come as well.  Usually about midway through the Rendezvous, 3 or 4 families get together for a “mid-week fellowship.”  Lots of singing of Hymns to guitar, mandolin, washtub bass, fiddle and tambourine.  On the last day of Rendezvous, we gather some 30 to 70 souls in fellowship on Sunday for worship service, singing songs of praise, take prayer requests and listen to the Word of the Lord.  Does this sound like a re-enactment?            

   God gave the Church 2 ordinances to observe.  Communion is one of them.  Jesus gives us instructions to have communion, “in remembrance of me,” in the Gospels and in 1Corinthians 11:24 and 25.  We are also exhorted to, “shew the Lord’s death till he come,” verse 26.  Communion is an ordinance that Jesus gave for the Disciples and the Church to observe until He comes again.  Is this a re-enactment?  NO ! !  When Jesus gave the instructions, He meant it to be an on-going thing.  Communion is not a “going through the motions” act, it’s for real.  Communion today, 1998 is held in churches where Christ is preached and remembered.

   God also places some standards on Communion.  “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.  For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.”  1Corinthians 11:28-29 KJV.  Communion is a “checkpoint” for Christians.  <Is Christ still my Saviour?  Am I living my life to honor Christ? Etc.>  The idea is to make sure His standards are met in our lives.  Are you ready to take communion?            

   It’s a good thing to remember the past so that we can gain a better understanding of the struggles and turmoil’s America went through so we can more appreciate our country and the quality of life we have today.  It’s also important to remember how God was an important part of our country then that we have the freedom and privilege to worship Him today.             

   Jesus Christ and His people, the Church, are alive and well today,  in 1998.  I don’t “live” in the Past.  I live “now” especially knowing that Christ is my Saviour and having Him as my Saviour and the liberty He provides, I can look forward to the future.   

[ Recorded at KLZ-AM Studio 11 May 98, scheduled to be aired on 17 May 98 ]          

   Except for selected passages taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version which is in the Public Domain, copyright 1998 J. E. “Duke” Paulsen - ABØGS   

   ADDENDUM:  KLZ-AM had changed their Sunday Night line-up starting the first week in June, 1998.  In the meantime, this same show had been re-played each week, a total of 3 times.