Human History in Three Dimensions, Part I
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1 - THE THREEFOLD FRAMEWORK
Those Seeking the Lord Jesus Christ
The First Preaching of the Gospel
Chapter 3 - SHEM, HAM, AND JAPHETH
Balancing These Three Needs and Capacities
This trilogy, a shortened version of Noah's Three Sons, (Volume 1 of Zondervan 1975 edition of the Doorway Paper Series) which in turn, was a composite of five separate Papers, includes only four Papers. Presented here in the basic framework of Dr. Arthur Custance's view of human history in its simplified form, with limited expansion of two basic concepts. We have omitted Paper #29 (A Christian World View), a detailed scholarly defence of his premises. (This exclusion will exasperate those requiring that detail, but its inclusion would have distracted others!).
For the most part, the text used is that of the original Paper, although changes made by Dr. Custance for the 1975 Zondervan edition have been incorporated. Occasionally, some notes that he had subsequently accumulated in his master copy have been added, where they clarified or completed his thoughts.
We have made every effort to maintain his style, making changes only in the interest of clarity of meaning. Often this was merely a matter of sentence structure or punctuation.
Another difficult problem encountered concerned specific words, for language is a living thing. Meanings are not static. Words are embedded in a culture and find meanings that "everybody knows" but may not be perceived and understood rightly by readers of another culture or time. Words like Negro or Eskimo, or the term coloured races were in no sense derogatory in the author's mind and, for lack of better terms, we have let them stand. When Dr. Custance uses man in the abstract sense (as opposed to a man or the man indicating a particular male individual), women are included, and children too. It is synonymous with people, human beings, with humanity, the human race. Similarly, he, in the abstract includes she. It was too cumbersome to change every instance (though often changes could be easily made and were), For those who are offended by what is viewed as sexist language, please remember that, at the time of writing, this was not a problem. Such terms should be understood in their generic sense. Dr. Custance personally had a deep respect for all peoples, and for the worth of each individual, irrespective of gender of colour. It is in this context that he (and also many writers of the past century) used words which are now regarded as 'sexist' or 'politically incorrect'.
For some readers, the documentation may seem woefully out-of-date, but at the time of writing, it was indeed current. (We have included the original title page that you might be aware of its date." For some, this questions the validity of Dr. Custance's interpretation in light of new knowledge.
New knowledge is not really a threat a recurring phrase in scientific literature is, "it is now known" implying that past knowledge was erroneous. Dr. Custance did not "fear" science's progress, nor did he claim any kind of finality for his views. This is how he explained the purpose of The Doorway Papers in 1958:
The title for this Series is intended to signify that these Papers are exploratory and do not pretend to provide final answers. They are designed to invite further exploration.
In the interests of clarity of exposition, no apology is made for statements which are matters of faith rather than fact, but as far as possible the distinction is indicated where appropriate.
They are the result of over twenty-five years of careful examination of the biblical records and the light they receive from, and contribute to, the whole field of modern knowledge.
As a rule, they represent new approaches to old issues, the author being fully persuaded that Scripture has nothing to fear and everything to gain from the closest examination. possible.
This confidence that "Scripture has nothing to fear and everything to gain: is succinctly expressed in the words of Lord Arundell of Wardour:
We desire only, by opening up fresh views, to contribute light to minds of greater precision who may thus be enabled, perhaps, to hit upon the exact truth.
In this trilogy, Dr. Custance is inviting you to view history in the light of God's revealed purposes and of acquired knowledge in a new and refreshing way, Here, may your discover and explore your roots and your relationships, your uniqueness and significance, to fellow human beings and to God.
Evelyn White, 1995.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE
The Doorway Papers, a series of sixty scholarly monographs written and published by Arthur Custance, commenced in 1957 and was completed in 1972. An agreement was then made with Zondervan Publishers who, between 1975 and 1980, produced The Doorway Paper Series in a set of ten volumes. in 1985 publication ceased. The Papers were again made available in their original monograph format by Doorway Publications from 1988 until 1944.
ACKNOWLEGDEMENTS
It is now ten years since Dr. Custance laid down his pen. I wish to acknowledge the encouragement and support his many loyal readers have given to me tokeep his writings in print.
For the actural task I am indebted to and grateful beyond words for the competent help in editing and constant enuthusiasim of Anna DeZoete, I am deeply appreciative of all the computer work done so patiently and willing and untiringly by Don Clark, whose health is sustained by the Lord daily; and I am indeed thankful that Harley Rollins has undertaken the task of production. marketing, and sales, which requires his expertise and contacts (which I do not have!), and his quiet confidence in this vetnure.
Our prayer is that God, Who began this work may continue it, bring glory and praise to His name and knowledge and joy to all who read.
E. White
GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE TRILOGY
THIS TRILOGY is a short history of humankind. Of the writing of such books there is no end! Perhaps "fresh" histories are necessary since each reflects the writer's ethnocentricity, cultural values, and biases. So what is so special about this one?
This history takes a bird's eye view of the world after the Flood, and observes how the descendants of Noah's three sons and their wives, the sole survivors of that catastrophe, re-peopled the world. They simultaneously established (and destroyed) civilizations and cultures as they spread over the earth, from that beginning, down to the present time.
This history does not see the repeopling of the earth as a haphazard or chance occurrence but discerns a purposeful progression of events when seen from the divine point of view. God has sovereignly ordered the unfolding of His purposes for the well-being of all peoples so that the complete potential of the human race might find full expression to the praise and glory of God our Father.
Neither has the expression of human potential been left to chance. In a remarkable way, God ensured that man's needs his propensity to worship, his urge to create with his hands, his capacity for rational thought should be preserved by appointing to Shem, Ham, and Japheth special responsibility in these three areas.
The whole panorama of history is viewed from an unusual, but highly intriguing, perspective based on the genealogy of Noah's sons (Gen.10) and on the pithy statement made by Noah (Gen. 9: 24-27):
Cursed be Canaan;
A servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.Blessed be the LORD God of Shem,
And Canaan shall be his servant.God shall enlarge Japheth,
And he shall dwell in the tents of Shem,
And Canaan shall be his servant.
This cryptic statement, on the face of it, does not seem to say very much. Indeed, certain assumptions were made about which there is plenty of room for disagreement! But if, for the sake of argument, they are allowed, a view of history emerges which accommodates both biblical and extra-biblical data.
The basic thesis is that the tenth chapter of Genesis, the oldest Table of Nations in existence, is a statement about the origins of the present world population, and how the descendants of these three brothers spread out over the earth. Evidence from linguistics, etymology and geography confirms the validity of this Table.
It is further proposed that a division of responsibilities to care for the needs of man at three fundamental levels spiritual, physical, and intellectual were divinely appointed to each of these three branches of Noah's family. History bears out the uniqueness of each of these racial stocks in a remarkable way.
Rightly understood, the thesis is a key that proves to be an exciting tool of research into the spiritual, technological, and intellectual history of humanity since the Flood.
The trilogy is in three parts the last two are elaborations of various aspects of the framework outlined in the first.
Volume 1 is a sketch of the History of Man, painted in broad strokes entitled: The Three Branches.
It is assumed, from the Table of Nations in Genesis 10, that the present world population is derived from Noah's sons; that the three basic racial stocks are Semitic, Hamitic, and Japhetic, which have, in spite of racial mixing, maintained a certain integrity throughout history, even to the present time.
It is also assumed, from Noah's statement in Genesis 9, that God intended each branch to make a unique contribution necessary for the welfare of the whole race.
Allowing these assumptions, it is shown in the first chapter how even Scripture recognizes this threefold framework. In the next chapters, the contribution of each family and its effect upon civilization is described in general terms.
The question,"Why did Noah curse his grandson (the innocent party) instead of his son (the guilty one)?" has puzzled commentators for centuries. This is the subject of the second Paper in Volume 1. A study of cultural anthropology suggests a new and simple explanation, which has a bearing on the thesis.
Volume II, Roots of the Nations, deals with the origins of the nations. The tenth chapter of Genesis, a list of names, is a record of the families of Noah's three sons from whom (as plainly stated in verse 32) all the nations of the world arose.
That this Table is comprehensive and not just a summary of only the people known to the writer, can be proved since these names can be traced down through history to modern times. It is exciting reading, showing the origins, relationships and patterns of dispersion of all racial stocks.
If, as verse 32 implies, this Table includes everybody, then fossil man, primitive peoples (ancient and modern) and modern man are all to be derived from Shem, Ham, and Japheth. In the light of this implication, findings from anthropology, geology and archaeology are explored, giving an alternate interpretation of the history of humanity.
In Volume III, The Second Branch, the focus shifts specifically to the contribution made by the Hamites. It is not too difficult to establish the unique "gift" of Shem in the spiritual realm nor of Japheth in the intellectual realm. What is so incredible to us is that when any technological achievement (such as paper, gliders, stirrups, stringed instruments, gears and pulleys, vaccines, etc.,) is traced back, we find the originator to be a member of the coloured races every time!
We see Ham, the servant par excellence who has indeed been a servant to his two brothers in providing not only physical survival but also the organization of social life as seen in the civilizations he developed.
Here it is briefly indicated how great a service the Hamitic people have rendered to all people, a debt that has not been adequately acknowledged.
Thus, this three-dimensional view of history gives insights into the manner in which God ordained the full potential of the human race, wrapped up in the First Adam, should unfold and find expression, both in the individual and in the nation whether for good or for ill.
Here we shall find our roots, our origins, in one of Noah's three sons. And in that family we shall also discover our unique endowment.
It is in the relationship of these three brothers, then, that we shall find the true kinship of mankind. Only when each brother makes his contribution as God intended, shall we finally see the entire human potential, in all its splendour and harmony.
In this grand plan of God's, we individually and nationally find our place and purpose in relation to all other human beings, and ultimately to God Himself.
To God,
Whose Name is Holy,
Almighty God,
The only Wise God
Be all honour and glory and praise!
Preface and Introduction
Proceed to Chapter 1
Online edition December 16, 1996, by Lambert Dolphin