April 26, 2010

Now when Moses saw that the people were out of control—for Aaron had let them get out of control to be a derision among their enemies—then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, “Whoever is for the Lord, come to me!”
Exodus 32:25, 26

If you think Gettysburg Battlefield’s troubles ended after the terrible conflict that occurred during July 1-3, 1863 (at least 46,000 casualties—the most of any battle in the Civil War—with around 8,000 killed), think again. Problems continue in the military park.

A recent article in the Philadelphia Inquirer reports on the latest ruling in a fight that’s been going on at Gettysburg for over a decade. According to the piece, in 1999, the National Park Service announced plans to raze the site’s Cyclorama Center, which houses a huge painting depicting Pickett’s Charge. This battle took place on the third day of fighting, when Union forces defended Cemetery Ridge against a Confederate assault.

The park tore down the original visitor center and parking lot next to the Center last year, and wants to finish clearing the site as part of its plans to restore the area known as Ziegler’s Grove to its mid-nineteenth century appearance. The Cyclorama Center sits in the middle of the battle line.

Leading the opposition to demolish the building is the son of the Center’s original architect. Dion Neutra worked alongside his father, Richard, in the construction a half-century ago, and he and his group, the Recent Past Preservation Network, sued the government to prevent the building’s destruction (the painting itself would be moved to a new location).

The Recent Past Preservation Network is dedicated to safeguarding landmarks that are fifty or fewer years old. The Cyclorama Center opened in 1962, part of a federal effort begun by President Dwight Eisenhower to erect visitor facilities at national parks. Its construction coincided with the Civil War centennial, and was meant as a monument to President Abraham Lincoln, who delivered the Gettysburg Address only a few hundred yards away from the Center, at the National Cemetery.

In a ruling this month, a U.S. District Court judge sided with Mr. Neutra’s organization.

So the battle lines have been drawn. It remains to be seen how the two parties will sort out their differences and come to an agreement.

When Moses issued his challenge to the Israelites, he had just come down from meeting God on Mount Sinai to receive the Law. He’d been gone a long while, and the people, unsure of what had become of him, cajoled Aaron, the brother Moses had left in charge, into making a golden calf for them to worship in the meantime (Exodus 32:1-4). Then they went berserk!

Those who didn’t respond to Moses’ call suffered tragic consequences. The 3,000 who refused to repent from their actions died that same day (Exodus 32:28).

This battle—God’s way versus our way—continues today for each one of us. It’s a choice we all have to make.

As Joshua, whom I mentioned in my last post as one of two spies who encouraged the Israelites to go forward into the Promised Land, exhorted the people in his last days: “Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15).

There is either yes or no to God and His Son Jesus Christ (1 John 5:11, 12). Indifference is the same thing as no. And compromise is not an option.

Who is on the Lord’s side? Who will serve the King?
Who will be His helpers, other lives to bring?
Who will leave the world’s side? Who will face the foe?
Who is on the Lord’s side? Who for Him will go?
By Thy call of mercy, by Thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord’s side—Savior, we are Thine!

Not for weight of glory, nor for crown and palm,
Enter we the army, raise the warrior psalm;
But for love that claimeth lives for whom He died;
He who Jesus nameth must be on His side.
By the love constraining, by Thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord’s side—Savior, we are Thine!

Fierce may be the conflict, strong may be the foe,
But the King’s own army none can overthrow;
‘Round His standard ranging, victory is secure,
For His truth unchanging makes the triumph sure.
Joyfully enlisting, by Thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord’s side—Savior, we are Thine!