1.0Greater Northwest Area | Newshttps://greaternw.org/newsPatrick Scrivenhttps://greaternw.org/news/author/patrick/History is complicated. We prefer simplicity. - Greater Northwest Area | Newsrich600338<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="Fst5Icd0FB"><a href="https://greaternw.org/news/history-is-complicated-we-prefer-simplicity/">History is complicated. We prefer simplicity.</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://greaternw.org/news/history-is-complicated-we-prefer-simplicity/embed/#?secret=Fst5Icd0FB" width="600" height="338" title="“History is complicated. We prefer simplicity.” — Greater Northwest Area | News" data-secret="Fst5Icd0FB" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script>
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https://greaternw.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/History-Adobe-Stock-Photo.jpg1600900Reflecting on Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch's call for Americans to embrace ambiguity when facing complex history, Patrick Scriven connects it to his own seminary journey of reconciling faith with historical scholarship. He critiques a White House report accusing the Smithsonian of "radical, activist ideology," arguing that ideological pressure toward simplicity, whether nationalistic or partisan, distorts our understanding of history and faith alike.