HEROES OF OLD, MEN OF RENOWN

2. HEROES OF OLD, MEN OF RENOWN

3. Why learn from past generations? Job 8:8-10 For enquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers. For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon the earth are a shadow. Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, and utter words out their heart?

4. Why learn from past generations? Hebrews 11:32-38 And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.

5. Why learn from past generations? Hebrews 11:32-38 Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, in order that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.

6. Why learn from past generations? If I have seen further, it is only by standing on the shoulders of giants. • Sir Isaac Newton Herodotus of Halicarnassus here displays his inquiry, so that human achievements may not be forgotten in time, and great and marvelous deeds may not be without the glory rightfully due them. • The Histories

7. Why learn from past generations? Manly virtues such as loyalty, honor, duty, and leadership are hard to define. It is actually much easier to understand these concepts if we can see them in action. Studying the lives of certain historical men is one of the best ways to do this. They provide us with excellent examples of manliness.

8. Inquiries • Who are the great men of the past? • What kind of men were they? • What can we learn from them? • How do we learn from them?

9. Noah • A man who had the heart of his sons. • While the whole earth was wicked, Noah’s family members were the only righteous. • This was true even when his sons were adults with their own households.

10. Moses • Exhibited fierce anger when the word of God was transgressed. • Sought the Lord’s wisdom. • Accepted the council of his elders. • Was given a great position of power, and yet called the most humble man in all the earth.

11. Boaz • Compassionate to those in need. • Showed honor to whom honor was due. • Knew a good woman when he saw one. • Willing to do right, even at cost to himself.

12. Jehu • Recognized the word of God and was willing to obey Him instantly. • Performed the duty God had given him, regardless of enormous personal risk. • Had distinctive style and a flair for the dramatic. • Driven by zeal for the Lord. • The only Israelite king to follow God, even partially. He was rewarded with Israel’s longest dynasty (five generations).

13. Daniel • Intelligent, impressive, courageous, strong in his convictions, even as a young man. • Of such high character, his enemies could find no accusation against him. • Served God above kings. • Placed his life fully in God’s hands multiple times. • His nobility and reputation were transcendent. • His faithfulness endured for his entire life.

14. Nehemiah • One of the most trusted men in Persia. • Loyal to his people and his homeland. • Recognized the providences of God. • Developed a strategic plan. • Effectively organized his crew. • Stands against the enemies of God. • Helped people who had been taken advantage of. • Corrected the wrongs of his people.

15. Peter, Paul, James & John • James and John called “Sons of Thunder,” yet James was martyred and John is also known as the “apostle of love.” • Though sometimes misguided, Peter’s zeal for Christ was never in doubt. • Paul wrote with intense passion, and had a powerful love of the truth. • All refused to be silenced, all did not fear confrontation with men.

16. Leonidas • Surrounded himself with an elite group of men, whose loyalty was unquestionable. • Knew how to motivate and intimidate. • He was determined to finish what he began. • Never compromised his leadership or example. • Always saw the good in a bad situation.

17. The Maccabees • A strong family of manly men. • Mattathias (the patriarch) was an old priest, who was angered by the desecration of his God by the Hellenized Jews and Antiochus IV Epiphanes. • His son Judas Maccabeus united the Jewish freedom fighters and revolted.

18. Martin Luther • I was born to fight with mobs and devils, and so my books are very stormy and warlike. I must remove trees and stumps, cut away thorns and thickets, and fill up quagmires. I am the rough woodsman who must blaze the way and clear the path. • That I am vehement is not to be wondered at. If you were what I am you too would be vehement.

19. Martin Luther • You would scarcely believe how pleased I am that enemies rise up against me more than ever. For I am never prouder or bolder than when I dare to displease them. • I have so much to do each day that I must spend at least three hours in prayer before I begin. • Here I stand. I can do no other.

20. George Washington • Learned how to work like a man on his family’s farm. • Received little formal education, so he taught himself. • Conducted himself properly. Learned how to dance and converse with ladies. • Impressed others with his manners and appearance. • Surveyor at age 17, commander in military by 21.

21. Other early Americans • John Hancock (signer of the Declaration at 39) entered Harvard at age 13. • Samuel Adams (leader of the Boston Tea Party at 51) completed Master’s Degree at 21; his thesis was on the defense of liberty. • David Farragut (first Admiral of the U.S. Navy at 65) commanded his first ship at age 12. • Alexander Hamilton (one of the authors of the Federalist Papers at 33) was publishing pamphlets at age 19. He had also been employed at a counting house at age 13 and became first Secretary of the Treasury at 34. • John Quincy Adams accompanied his father and others as envoys to France, the Netherlands, and Russia for most of his teen years. Later served as ambassador to Prussia, the Netherlands, and Russia; U.S. Senator and Representative, Secretary of State, and U.S. President.

22. Henry Knox • Despite physical limitations, he was inspired to achieve by the vision of his superiors. • At a very young age, made an officer in the Continental Army. • Commissioned to retrieve artillery needed by the rebels, and move them across mountains and rivers in the wintertime. • The determined young man succeeded in doing what should have been impossible.

23. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain • Trained in the rigors of manhood by the woods of Maine, and was also highly educated. • Honored academic who forsook his prestigious professorship to volunteer in the Union Army. • Moved up through the ranks, demonstrating courage, compassion, leadership, and nobility. • Received the praise of his enemies.

24. John Wesley Powell • Boy naturalist who made extensive observations, and as a young man, conducted solo expeditions. • Enlisted during the Civil War, lost his right arm at Shiloh, but continued to fight. • Led the first successful exploration of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River.

25. Andrew Summers Rowan • Delivered the Message to Garcia.

26. Ernest Shackleton • “The greatest leader that ever came on God’s earth - bar none.” • “Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in case of success.” • Understood his men, saw to their needs, and did not forget them. • A man of undaunted courage.

27. Sergeant Alvin C. York • As a boy, worked on a farm, hunted in the woods, and became an expert shot. • “Hog-wild” as a young man, but became a devout Christian. • Drafted in WW1, first as a “conscientious objector,” but is later shown the truth. • Performs an act of heroism with unbelievable success, due to the protection of God, and his rugged boyhood.

28. Ernest Hemingway • Sportsman, boxer, storyteller, submarine hunter, war hero, survivor, legend. • Loved adventure & followed his passions. • A man who was truly genuine.

33. General Patton • Known as “old blood and guts.” • Created a memorable image and persona. • Leader and motivator. • Determined to succeed.

38. Gene Kranz • Confident, able to make quick decisions under pressure, and keep his cool. • Led an inexperienced crew, and made up for it with sheer determination. • Had faith in his men, and they had faith in him. • Took responsibility for mistakes and vowed never to make them again. • “Tough” and “Competent”

39. Franklin Graham • A rebellious and adventurous young man who later used that energy for Christ. • Devoted to his family, God, and his friends and mentors. • Faced death and endured hardship for the sake of the gospel. • Outspoken about the name of Jesus, even under persecution.

40. What do they have in common? • Lead by example. • Confidence, courage, and determination. • An adventurous life. • Reliance on others to succeed. • Able to work under pressure. • Wisely invested boyhood years. • Well-educated (does not equal “well-schooled”) • Well-dressed and well-groomed

41. How do we learn from them? • Research their lives in-depth. • Incorporate it into your homeschooling. • What’s a period of history, or a lifestyle that you enjoy? Find a man who fits that and study his life. • Ask a man you admire if he has any men from history he admires. • Fathers and sons read biographies together. • Even read novels on fictional manly men. • Watch some good-quality historical films.