By Sarah DischerAge 18
It is impossible to understand history without understanding the two motives driving the early explorers. The first, the humanistic purpose, was to find a new environment in order that man may be saved and renewed by it. The second purpose, the Christian purpose, was to spread the gospel to the entire world, and to give freedom of religion to God’s people.
True, Christian explorers such as Columbus did have economic motives. Columbus desired to find a new trade route, but he wished, through the wealth that may bring, to obtain money for a crusade to take back those areas then occupied by the Moslems. Columbus believed that he was “One that was called of God to open up the world to the Gospel.” and “He made me the messenger, and He showed me the way.”
Columbus’ driving goal was the whole world would be exposed to Christianity and the Gospel. Thus, he desired money for missionary purposes.
An example of a humanistic explorer is Ponce de Leon and his voyage to find the alleged Fountain of Youth. He believed that man could change, if a perfect, uncontaminated environment could be found. The Fountain of Youth would have served his purpose.
So you see the total difference in their motives. One, a humanistic belief that the salvation of man would come by a change to a perfect uncorrupted atmosphere, the other, a decidedly Christian belief that the salvation of man can come only through the regeneration of man through the saving blood of Christ.
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