Earlier this year, my family and I had the great blessing of attending a Reds baseball game in Cincinnati. The Reds are struggling, but we had lots of fun. The St. Louis Cardinals were in town and we were able to witness history as Albert Pujols became the first player ever to hit a home run of off 450 different pitchers.

To kill time during an extended rain delay, we walked through the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum (they opened it up for free to those at the game). One of our favorite parts of the exhibit was a room set up like a broadcast studio where you could watch clips of famous plays in Reds history and pretend like you were the Commentator / Broadcaster. It was amusing to watch these iconic plays and give our own explanation of what was happening. This interactive exhibit was appropriately named, “You Make the Call.”

In the middle of all the fun and laughs, I had a serious thought. It occurred to me that just because we were given the privilege of providing our own voice to these events, the events themselves remain unchangeable. For example, it would be a lie to say someone struck out when history records they hit a home run. It would be a lie to say a team lost when history records that they won.

Additionally, it is our responsibility to respond appropriately to the acts that transpired. In one video clip, manager Lou Piniella gets so angry at an umpire’s call that he screams, kicks dirt, and throws a base (not once, but twice) into the outfield! It would be disingenuous to say he was pleased with the decision made by the umpiring crew. It would be ignoring the evidence to say Piniella and the umpire were on the same page.

In other words, when viewing history, we cannot just say whatever we want to say. We must accept the facts and respond appropriately to them.

This matters for students of the Bible who are disciples of Jesus.

Abraham Lincoln is credited with saying, “History is not history unless it is the truth.” This is apt whether we are talking about wars, politicians, baseball, or the Bible.

Jesus really died on a cross (John 19:33; Phil. 2:8; Heb. 12:2). I cannot say that He did not. I must respond appropriately.

Jesus really rose from the grave (Mark 16:6; Acts 2:24, 32; 4:33; 1 Cor. 15:3-5). I cannot say that He did not. I must respond appropriately. 

Because these things are true—because they are genuine history—I must make the appropriate call. I must call upon the Lord (Acts 22:16; Rom. 10:13). I must bow before Him (Rom. 14:11; Phil. 2:10).

We can’t change history…but we can respond to it appropriately.

You make the call.