History, schmistory. For the Colson Center, I’m John Stonestreet with The Point.

Christians of all people should be good at remembering. Why? Because our faith is rooted in history.

We ought to remember those who have gone before us, warts and all. King David, for example, was a “man after God’s own heart.” And also a murderer and adulterer. Yet Israel didn’t write him out of Scriptures.

Tell that to Historic Christ Church in Alexandria, Virginia, which will remove two plaques honoring former parishioners Robert E. Lee and George Washington.

George Washington? The church, as Rod Dreher notes, is on Washington Street. Washington’s picture is on the donations it receives. Throw a silver-dollar across the Potomac and you’ll hit the city that bears his name.

Neither Washington nor Lee were towering figures of faith, but they were towering figures of history—and significant members of Christ Church.

A church with “Historic” in the name should put history above political correctness. I’m not saying history should be whitewashed, but to rework a classic phrase, the best way to avoid repeating history is not to forget it.

Images courtesy of Wikimedia and Getty Images.