Once again I am amazed by the accuracy of the Word of God, which states: "The last shall be first and the first shall be last" (Luke 13:30).
The "Barbary Powers Conflict" began shortly after the Revolutionary War and continued through the Presidencies of Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Madison.1 The Muslim Barbary Powers (Tunis, Morocco, Algiers, Tripoli, and Turkey) were warring against what they claimed to be the "Christian" nations (England, France, Spain, Denmark, and the United States). In 1801, Tripoli declared war against the United States,2 thus constituting America's first official war as an established independent nation. Interestingly enough our first war as a nation was against Islamic militants. Two-hundred years later we are facing the same enemy. Thankfully this time our military might is prepared and ready. Let us however learn from history lest we repeat it.
Throughout this long conflict, the five Barbary Powers regularly attacked undefended American merchant ships. Not only were their cargoes easy prey but the Barbary Powers were also capturing and enslaving "Christian" seamen3 in retaliation for what had been done to them by the "Christians" of previous centuries (e.g., the Crusades and Ferdinand and Isabella's expulsion of Muslims from Granada4).
I apologize to Muslims for past human rights abuses committed against them by "Christians" who were not acting Christ-like but were most likely serving the imperialistic Roman church which was heretical. It was the Roman church that brought about the Dark Ages because the Bible was not translated into the language of the common man. Hence spiritual ignorance and darkness reigned, as did religious rulers who were without the Holy Spirit to reveal the heart of Christ to them.
In an attempt to secure a release of captured seamen and a guarantee of unmolested shipping in the Mediterranean, President Washington dispatched envoys to negotiate treaties with the Barbary nations.5(Concurrently, he encouraged the construction of American naval warships6 to defend the shipping and confront the Barbary "pirates"--a plan not seriously pursued until President John Adams created a separate Department of the Navy in 1798.)
Let us this time when facing Islamic enemies not act inhumanely as did the Roman church. Jesus exhorted us to love and pray for our enemies. This affords our enemies an opportunity to repent, reform, and be reconciled. On the other hand, in regard for military combat, let us arise to the challenge and not cower to Muslim militants threats and violence. Islam is intolerant and violent because spiritually it is impotent.
Christ Jesus came to establish His kingdom in the hearts of men, not to war for a political earthly kingdom. Nevertheless when necessary we must defend ourselves against hostile intruders and murderous Muslims who also misuse and distort their own religion as did the Roman Catholics during the Dark Ages for Christians.
Truly there is nothing new under the sun, as once again history is repeating itself as we approach the beginning of the end.
FOOTNOTES:
Special thanks to David Barton, Wallbuilders, for this outstanding documentation.
1.Naval Documents Related to the United States Wars with the Barbary Powers, Claude A. Swanson, editor (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1939), Vol. I, p. V.
2. Glen Tucker,Dawn Like Thunder: The Barbary Wars and the Birth of the U. S. Navy (Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill Company, 1963), p. 127.
3. A General View of the Rise, Progress, and Brilliant Achievements of the American Navy, Down to the Present Time(Brooklyn, 1828), pp. 70-71.
4. Tucker, p. 50.
5. President Washington selected Col. David Humphreys in 1793 as sole commissioner of Algerian affairs to negotiate treaties with Algeria, Tripoli and Tunis. He also appointed Joseph Donaldson, Jr., as Consul to Tunis and Tripoli. In February of 1796, Humphreys delegated power to Donaldson and/or Joel Barlow to form treaties. James Simpson, U. S. Consul to Gibraltar, was dispatched to renew the treaty with Morocco in 1795. On October 8, 1796, Barlow commissioned Richard O'Brien to negotiate the treaty of peace with Tripoli. See, for example, Ray W. Irwin, The Diplomatic Relations of the United States with the Barbary Powers (Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina Press, 1931), p. 84.
6. J. Fenimore Cooper,The History of the Navy of the United States of America (Philadelphia: Thomas, Cowperthwait & Co., 1847), pp. 123-124; see also A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents: 1789-1897, James D. Richardson, editor (Washington, D. C.: Published by Authority of Congress, 1899), Vol. I, pp. 201-202, from Washington's Eighth Annual Address of December 7, 1796.
Paul Davis is a minister and author of several books including God vs. Religion; Breakthrough for a Broken Heart; Stop Lusting & Start Living; and Adultery: 101 Reasons Not to Cheat.
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