Questions for Spanish Explorers Columbus and Diaz

What would be the questions to ask explorers such as Columbus and Diaz? There are so many ways to view this idea. Would it be appropriate to ask such questions as "What are your thoughts as you landed on this new world?" or "Are you excited by the prospect of exploring a new land?" There are ways that an interview could be conducted without much substance or genuine interest in the events as they are occurring. It could be more like a Barbara Walters or Larry King "puff" piece, mainly pandering to the egos of the two explorers.

Another way may be to ask questions in a style similar to current mainstream media and seek to criticize the expedition at nearly every point of the journey.

"Admiral Columbus, we have learned that you deliberately misinformed your crew on the distance that your ships traveled each day. How do you respond to that?"

"Mr. Diaz, the strength and will of the native population is stronger than expected. How can you account for this failure in your intelligence briefings?"

"Admiral Columbus, you have reported on vast fields of gold and large gold mines. Where did you receive this information? Have you personally seen these gold fields? How will this deliberate distortion affect your standing with the Royal Court?"

"Mr. Diaz, the casualties your men are suffering are increasing. Do you think you should abandon your expedition to prevent further loss of life among your men?"

This style of questioning is more appropriate to current media standards of failing to support an action. The exploration of new worlds as well as the defense of liberty is a dangerous and bloody task, one fraught with hardship and peril, but can reap great rewards.

I think that I would focus more on the justification of the journey, especially from a spiritual standpoint. What are their Biblical justifications for bringing salvation at the point of a sword?

One question to Adm. Columbus might be, "What is the spiritual directive that justifies your actions in brutally forcing your beliefs on these native people?"

Columbus could respond with quotes from Revelation 2:16-17. "The Lord says, 'Repent therefore, or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth. He, who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes, to him will I give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, which no one knows but he who receives it.' There is much richness from the Lord in spreading His word to all the heathens."

"Furthermore," Columbus may add, "from Galatians 1:15-16, 'But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood.' I have been called by his grace to preach his word! These people have nothing, they worship false idols, they wear little to no clothes, and they are savages."

To use scripture as a response to Columbus, one could quote Matthew 7:1-2 "Don't judge, so that you won't be judged. For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged: and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you." In reference to Columbus discussing the problems that he sees in the native population, Matthew 7:5 may be appropriate; "You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother's eye."

To Diaz, one might question his use of military force against the native population. He could turn to scripture as well, quoting from Matthew 10:34 "Don't think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn't come to send peace, but a sword." Diaz could also quote from Revelation 6:2 "And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer."

A simple response, as well as highlighting the force that the natives did muster against Diaz's forces would be from Matthew 26:52 "Then Jesus said to him, 'Put your sword back into its place, for all those who take the sword will die by the sword.'"

In questioning the justification of seeking gold and riches for the King and Queen, both men could potential respond scripturally with Joshua 22:8 "And he spoke unto them, saying, Return with much riches unto your tents, and with very much cattle, with silver, and with gold, and with brass, and with iron, and with very much raiment: divide the spoil of your enemies with your brethren." There would be many references in the Bible about the riches of gold and glory.

Responses from the New Testament would be contrary such as James 5:3, "Your gold and your silver are corroded and their corrosion will be for a testimony against you, and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up your treasure in the last days." Another would be the response of Jesus to the wealthy young man from Matthew 10:21-23, "And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. But his countenance fell at the saying, and he went away sorrowful: for he was one that had great possessions. And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!"

The point to this line of questioning is to seek an understanding of what is driving these men spiritually, what is their spiritual justification for what they are doing. Ultimately, both men would probably support each other with more evidence from the Bible, finding ways to justify their actions. This occurs throughout history when religious beliefs serve as a basis for unjust actions. The strength of will and belief are so powerful, even when confronted with contrary interpretations, their belief system remains strong and unshakeable, to the detriment of those "heathens" that they encountered in the new world.