Landmarks

Paul certainly wasn't being arrogant in 1st Corinthians 11, when he wrote this:
1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
2 Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you.

That's a great challenge to us - can we confidently encourage others to follow our example; do our lives measure up to the Godly standards we find in the Word of God?  Paul was challenging the church at Corinth to be mindful - to remember - what he had taught or shown them and to keep certain practices through which they could reinforce their faith.  We do well to keep before us reminders of God's faithfulness and how He has shown up and what He has shown to us.

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In a number of instances, history can serve to remind us of the faithfulness of God and the practice of our faith. In Deuteronomy 6, Moses challenges the people not to forget God:
10 "So it shall be, when the Lord your God brings you into the land of which He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give you large and beautiful cities which you did not build,
11 houses full of all good things, which you did not fill, hewn-out wells which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant--when you have eaten and are full--
12 then beware, lest you forget the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.
13 You shall fear the Lord your God and serve Him, and shall take oaths in His name.

Symbolism can be very important in conveying ideas and remembering the past.  And, throughout America, there are religious landmarks that can reinforce the significance of faith in our land.

The Newsmax website has compiled a list of its "Top 50 Religious Landmarks in America."  While some are not expressly Christian, there are a number of these landmarks that have a direct tie to the Christian faith.  I'm not going to read all 50, but I did pick out a few on which to concentrate.

Let's first of all go to a church in Memphis, not the only time that a landmark related to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. appears in the countdown.  At #48, this is the site of his famous "Mountaintop" sermon. It's Mason Temple Church of God in Christ, where "More than 3,000 people gathered at this temple to hear Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. deliver his prophetic "Mountaintop" speech on April 3, 1968 — the eve of his assassination." The church remains the headquarters of the Church of God in Christ.

#26 is also related to Dr. King, and it is in Montgomery. It's Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church. Newsmax states, "From the pulpit of this church, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ignited the Civil Rights Movement. Serving as its pastor from 1954 to 1960, he and others led countless civil rights meetings and activism, supporting the 1955-56 Montgomery bus boycott.

Then, at #25, you see one of several landmarks with a relationship to the founding of our country. Trinity Church in New York City is where, "President George Washington and members of his government, including John Jay and Alexander Hamilton, attended services here for two years when New York City was America’s first capitol. Its cemetery holds the remains of many notables, including Alexander Hamilton and his family members."  There's also Christ Church in Philadelphia at #12.  About this site, Newsmax says, "Prominent Revolutionary War leaders worshipped here and its cemetery holds the remains of some of the most important political and religious leaders of the Colonial and Revolutionary-era, including those of Benjamin Franklin and four signers of the Declaration of Independence.

#24 is The Billy Graham Library and Museum, which is located in Charlotte.  The story says that: "Perhaps one of the greatest American evangelists of all time, the Reverend Billy Graham reached several hundred million people in more than 185 countries in his lifetime, preaching the gospel and the freedom and liberty that comes with it. The impact of his ministry and information about his life and organizations’ efforts are displayed through multimedia presentations, photos, memorabilia, and a tour of his childhood home."

There is the incredible story of the chapel found at #22 that is significant especially at this time of year.  It's St. Paul’s Chapel in New York City, which just last year celebrated its 250th anniversary. It is "the oldest surviving church building, the only colonial-era building, and the oldest public building in continuous use in Manhattan."  This is the place where "George Washington and the first members of Congress prayed there after Washington’s inauguration at Federal Hall on April 30, 1789."  The story also says that the chapel "not only survived the Great Fire of 1776...but also miraculously survived 9/11. Located opposite of the World Trade Center, not one of its windows was broken."

A number of these sites were related to opposition of slavery.  Two examples: at #11, the Quaker gathering place known as the Third Haven Meeting House in Talbot, Maryland featured a group that was devoted to the abolition of slavery since the 17th Century.  At #10, there's Harriet Tubman Thompson AME Zion Church in Auburn, New York and Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historic Park.

Let's jump to the top 3 now.  In the #3 position is San Antonio de Valero...

...Better known as “the Alamo,” this unassuming and uncompleted Spanish mission remains the quintessential symbol of freedom in the West.

The #2 landmark is Plymouth Rock and Plymouth Plantation in Plymouth, Massachusetts.  And, the top landmark is “God’s Square Mile” in Ocean Grove, New Jersey.  Newsmax relates that, "This popular seaside retreat, concert, and vacation destination for millions is a lasting testament to the Victorian-era revivalist movement that followed the Second Great Awakening. Methodist ministers founded Ocean Grove believing 'religion and recreation should go hand in hand'"

You also have some of those familiar symbols, such as Washington's National Cathedral and St. John's Church, as well as Old North Church in Boston.

I think there are a number of concepts we can take away here:

We are not worshiping buildings.  The Church is not the building, it's the people; and more than that, the true church is the people who have accepted Jesus as Savior - they are the true members of the body of Christ.

But, I think it's helpful to remember the faith foundations of our country.  In an age when you have those who deny the principles upon which this country was built, it's important to reflect on the contributions of faith in American history.  There was a spiritual component to the quest for independence, people of faith were in a leading position in the abolition of slavery, and the civil rights movements grew out of spiritual roots. Individually, as well, we can be strengthened as we think back on times and places where God has manifested Himself in our own lives.

Finally, there is value in imagery.  The spiritual practices we find throughout the Old Testament are powerful reminders of the presence of God.  The illustrative nature of communion, as we observe the death of Christ and the shedding of His blood, can renew our souls, and the practice of baptism communicates powerfully the new life we have in Christ.  But, we also see images throughout the Scriptures - the twelve stones placed in the Jordan River as a testimony of God's faithfulness, the rock Ebenezer that Samuel set up to remember God's faithfulness, the altars that were constructed, inviting people to meet with God.  We don't worship the symbols, but God can use the symbols to refresh us in our knowledge and appreciation of Him.