Monumental in Review

It was a last-minute call. Our decision to pay $50 for a spur of the moment family movie night was radical for my clan. (OK – radical for me.) The children excitedly boarded the Nissan Armada, and you could sense their pleasure. Don’t be confused it’s normal for us to love movies but this one was a documentary about American history. It was a movie called, Monumental.

Over the years, we have studied the history of our country together. We have struggled with the many discrepancies caused by certain attempts at historical revisionism. Especially when it comes to the recent trends attempting to separate the founding of our country and the values she is built on.

I am proud of our countries heritage. I am proud of many leaders our country has produced. To think many of our ideas were born admits a season when tested most was our faith in Christ. When believers being mocked by the government-run church in England were sarcastically called, ‘Puritans.’ Knowing the truth about the founding of our nation will help every American to find a renewed hope by understanding the basic principles shared by these brave pilgrims.

These principles ring true in the Mayflower Compact.

While the original document was lost, (sounds like something I would do) the journal entries of William Bradford and Winslow Mourt Of Plymouth Plantation say the same thing and are accepted as accurate.

“In the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord, King James, by the Grace of God, of England, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, et. Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith and the Honour of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia; do by these presents, solemnly and mutually in the Presence of God and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid; And by Virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions and Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the General good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In Witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape Cod the eleventh of November, in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord, King James of England, France and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domini, 1620.”

Monumental explores these roots in-depth and unlocks the keys to understanding the historical context and Christian influence on our country.

But don’t worry it is anything but boring. Challenging yes, boring no. My children of 8, 12 and 13 found this documentary to be extremely engaging and stimulating. Kirk Cameron does a fantastic job of conveying the foundation of our country and the hope that will be ours in the future.

What I loved was the interpretation of the National Monument to the Forefathers. Created in 1889 this monument offers us the formula that our founders believed would create the perfect government. Kirk’s uncovering of this treasure, for me, was awe-inspiring.

To understand the principles that the United States of America was founded on will help us to understand that there is hope (Despite living through the worst economic downturn since the great depression.) Monumental reminded me that our country’s ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness gleaned from a simple understanding and value of our Christian heritage.

Monumental was a great way to spend a Friday evening together as a family.  I highly recommend it.