It is said that Winston Churchill is the one who coined the phrase, “History is written by the victors.” That is probably due to the fact that he once joked, “For my part, I consider that it will be found much better by all parties to leave the past to history, especially as I propose to write that history myself.” (Speech to the House of Commons, Jan. 23, 1948) So, if Churchill did not originate that saying, who did?
I don’t think anyone knows for sure who came up with it, but it, or similar statements, date back as far as the mid 1800’s, in both French and Italian literature. In 1852 an Italian writer stated, “The history of these events was written by the winners.” (Atto Vannucci-Storia d’Italia Dai Tempei Piu Antich Fino All’invasione Dei Longbardi, Vol. 1) Going back another ten years, a French writer wrote, “[T]he history is right perhaps, but let us not forget, it was written by the victors.” (Jacques Bainville, Histoire de France)
Regardless of who said it first, the quote exists. The question is; is there any truth to it? I believe that there is a great deal of truth to that; and I say that because I have seen firsthand how ‘historians’ have written about events from the perspective of those who came out on top in conflicts; wars. Although I am not saying that they do not exist, one has to dig deep to find a non-biased rendering of historical events.
Take for instance the textbooks you learn about American History from; they are almost all biased towards America; dating all the way back to the American Revolution. Recall what you were taught about the Revolutionary War Era; how brave patriots stood up to the tyranny of the British Crown. Can you recall one instance when your history textbook spoke of how the British may have been justified in imposing the taxes that led to the uprising in the Colonies; that the men these history books portray as patriots were, in fact, tax evading criminals?
Hell, all one has to do is look to recent history to see how true that is. Look at how people reacted towards those like me who refused to wear a face mask, social distance, or take the vaccine during the Covid crisis. We were looked upon as dangers to society, the scum of the earth; when we were just acting with the same spirit of liberty that drove the ‘patriots of 1776’ to resist the laws and taxes being imposed upon them by their government. So you see, it is about perspective; which side of an issue one takes that leads to how history views the other side.
Another good example of this is the, misnamed, Civil War. Look at how society today views those who fought against the Union in that conflict; their statues are torn down, their graves are desecrated, and their flag is viewed as a symbol of racism. Confederate General Patrick Cleburne warned this would happen should the North come out victorious in the conflict, “Every man should endeavor to understand the meaning of subjugation before it is too late… It means the history of this heroic struggle will be written by the enemy; that our youth will be trained by Northern schoolteachers; will learn from Northern school books their version of the war; will be impressed by the influences of history and education to regard our gallant dead as traitors, and our maimed veterans as fit objects for derision…”
However, I did not come here today to talk about American History; I came here to talk about world history; from a biblical standpoint. What is the Bible; aside from a guide that teaches us how we ought to live; “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16)
Yet the Bible is also a history book; a history of mankind; dating back to when God formed man of the dust of the earth. The Bible is a record of the history of mankind; our struggles, our tribulations, and our (apparently) never ending desire to disobey God. If you believe that God is sovereign over all His creations, then how can you support a system that usurps that sovereignty for itself; i.e. the system established by the Constitution.
James 4:12 tells us, “There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?” The only true, righteous, Christian government would be one that has, as its foundation, God’s eternal law; anything less than that cannot be considered Christian in nature. What we have, instead, is a humanistic form of government. Humanism is a philosophy that believes that mankind is capable of shaping their own destiny without the need, or interference from, theological belief systems. As proof that our system is humanistic in nature, I present to you the Preamble; which states, “We the People of the United States … do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
Where does that say that our system of government is Christian, or founded upon God’s eternal laws? It doesn’t; therefore it is a government of men, by men, and for men; making it a humanistic government; not a Christian government. Yet one cannot travel anywhere without encountering Christians who support this system of government with all their heart and soul; denouncing anyone who criticizes the system for its inherent flaws and its rejection of Christian principles.
The Bible tells us, “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.” (Psalm 146:3) Yet we have people, by the millions, doing what that passage tells them not to do. What are you doing when you vote for the candidate of your choice if you are not putting your trust in men to fix what is wrong in this country; when the problem is that we no longer follow the teachings of our Lord and Savior, and we disobey His laws and ordinances?
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. – Revelation, 20: 11-12
The Bible also tells us, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) Do we do that, or do we trust that we can work things out on our own; without God’s help? What about ‘Trust the science’, are we not placing our trust in the men who tell us what that ‘science’ is, and not trusting in God? God gave us an incredible immune system, and if we would just eat right, get plenty of exercise and sunshine, our immune system would have been all we needed during the recent Covid scandemic. But no, in our arrogance, we trusted in our own abilities; rather than trusting that the Lord would protect those who truly loved Him, and obeyed His laws.
You see, the Bible, especially the Old Testament, is filled with descriptions of what happened to people who strayed from the Lord; who wanted kings/rulers, and who placed their trust in their own abilities. The Bible teaches us that, when that happened, the Lord punished His people; either by drought, by destruction, by wicked rulers, or by conquest by foreign invaders.
Yet the solution to their suffering, and ours today, has always been there; and it is found in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
Yet the Bible is more than just a history book, it also tells us what will befall those who do not accept Christ, and those who continue to sin; and their future does not look bright.
I used to say that I no longer vote because the system was written by corrupt men for their own selfish desires. While that may still be true, my reason for not supporting the system has changed; thanks to my eyes having been opened to the fact that this system rejects God as sovereign, and does things that go against God’s will.
One cannot claim to be a Christian, and at the same time, support a system of government that rejects their God; or does things that are in direct violation of His laws. One must choose whom they will serve, and whom they will support; and I choose God. And if I may be so blunt, to hell with your system of government; for with the level of evil that exists within it, that is exactly where those you elect will probably end up on Judgment Day; with you alongside them so long as you continue to support this system.
And that’s all I have to say for now…
March 4, 2025
~ The Author ~
Neal Ross, Student of history, politics, patriot and staunch supporter of the 2nd Amendment. Send all comments to: [email protected].
If you liked Neal’s latest column, maybe you’ll like his book: The Civil War: (The Truth You Have Not Been Told). Life continues to expand for this prolific writer and guardian of TRUE American history.