Justice: Pathway to Freedom and Cultural Unity

By David Henderman CPP

The years of “reconstruction” in the South were many times a facade and only appeared to enforce the statutory policies of Reconstruction imposed by the Union.
It wasn’t until Theodore Roosevelt became president of the United States that the tragedies of the Southern blacks and the lies fabricated to cover them up would even come to light. And even then, there would be little to no resistance. The Civil War had literally taken the fight out of the North, so both status quo and complacency ruled the early part of the century.
The rise of the American worker would begin, and another form of slavery would rise for whites and blacks alike. That story, like the stories of cyber operations and social media we’ll leave for another time. For now, we’ll stay within the framework of the late 1800s, and we’ll have to realize that there had to be a means by which these evolutionary “scientific” experiments could be enforced. It was here that much of U.S. law enforcement in the South was manipulated, and a noble occupation sold out to the highest bidder. Because in the end, as it was in the beginning, it was indeed all about money.

Dave Henderman offers a bold primer on culture, cultural relations, and discrimination in America from a Christian and Biblical worldview. Prevailing thought on race, ethnicity and discrimination in American society has degraded into opposing factions and camps. In a penetrating critique of all sides, Dave probes the cultural paradigm that has developed since Reconstruction and the Jim Crow segregated South. The reader will gain an insight into all aspects of cultural relations in America along with a possible way forward into the future, unified with brothers and sisters in Christ of every skin color. For the concerned citizen with a pure heart, reading this series will be a good start!
Colonel Mark Kerry, USA, Retired

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jan 2, 2024
• ISBN: 9798385005970

David Henderman CPP

David Henderman, CPP is an ordained Christian minister, a teacher, a veteran law enforcement and global security professional, and an award-winning writer / production consultant. For the past thirty-six years, he has traveled the globe fighting injustice. His career has focused on investigations, intelligence, and protective operations. In military terms, David worked and taught in the areas of C4ISR, both at a tactical and technical level. In civilian terms, he has led sophisticated cyber-teams and projects for the government and private sector since 2001. David is a senior law enforcement instructor and teaches at the university post-graduate level.

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Copyright © 2024 David Henderman, CPP.

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Interior Graphics/Art Credit: David Henderman, M.A., CPP

ISBN: 979-8-3850-0598-7 (sc)

ISBN: 979-8-3850-0599-4 (hc)

ISBN: 979-8-3850-0597-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023916165

WestBow Press rev. date: 12/29/2023

DEDICATION AND

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Justice was inspired by the lives of two men who lived long before any of us who are writing or who will read this book. Benjamin Henderman, my great-great-grandfather, and his brother Leo, whom I’m still learning about after many years of historical tracking and investigation, were two young German immigrants who were born just miles from where I was born in northern Kentucky. They suffered. They fought for FREEDOM. They didn’t quit. On the other side of the family, my Scottish ancestry reaches back to the Vikings and touches directly the lives of The Stewarts, Robert The Bruce, King of Scotland, (The real) MacBeth, and numerous people and families of nobility, aristocracy, and even royalty. I also look back through the centuries and find abject poverty. Yet, as the centuries gave way to the changing tides of religion, and what constituted freedom in Europe, many became immigrants. They were persecuted, and fled Europe for America in an effort to find Freedom.

While they escaped religious and political persecution, they also bowed their knee to greed and eventually embraced wickedness themselves. It’s a fascinating compilation of stories. Yet, While I am proud to have descended from some famous personalities, families, and heroes, I must also bear the scourge of shame as I continue to learn more about the pure evil that runs within the veins of my heritage. In TRUTH, we ALL share similarities in our moral and spiritual heritages. Our stories matter. The lives of my grandparents inspired me to begin this work many years ago. The lives of my Scottish ancestry created a fascination with history so close to my heart, yet an erupting anger at the moral decay that set in as loss, pain, and poverty drove them to evil. The influence of a tangible spiritual wickedness, very much like the evil described by Jesus, became obvious as the many years of research unfolded.

Benjamin (2nd Great Grandfather) and Leo (his brother) secretly joined the Union Army after crossing the Ohio River and enlisted at Camp Clay, a little-known historical training camp that defied Kentucky’s ambiguous stance of neutrality. Both men would survive the war, but one would become an upstanding citizen, and the other an outlaw. One would be buried with military honors. The other would avoid being hanged by serving in a counterguerilla mountain unit (39th Kentucky Infantry) during the second half of the Civil War. To date, the Army has records of his death, but his grave site remains unknown. At that time, he probably didn’t realize that his brother Benjamin, my great-great grandfather had reenlisted as a federal after his letter was intercepted, and his brother captured. Benjamin, a combat veteran (2nd Kentucky Infantry) would sacrifice the assurance of his own life and wellbeing for his brother. Benjamin came face to face with the enemy only days after giving up his corporal’s status and re-enlisting as a gunner in the 4th U.S. Light Artillery, which had nearly been decimated at Perryville. He would make the march from the bloody battle of Perryville, Kentucky, to the battle of Stones River (https://www.nps.gov/stri/index.htm Murfreesboro, Tennessee), where he would continue his heroic and epic story.

For four heart-pounding hours he and his regiment poured cannon fire on an advancing Confederate front that had no intention of turning back. On December 31st, 1862, eight cannon and approximately 200 men, held a line almost a mile long! The next three days under the command of Charles Parsons (4th Regiment, United States Light Artillery), and the heat of several more engagements, the Battle of Stones River would result not only in battlefield victory but enable the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. The freedom-chapter of the conflict had begun and by the end of the war, more than 200,000 black freemen would have fought alongside of the white Union counterparts. In December of 1965, slavery nationwide would be outlawed by the ratification of the 13th Amendment! We never know how the dark days of our lives might end in the great victories that define who we are and what at the time might be in front of us, but just out of sight.

The story of these two men brought to life for me the conflicts that existed in the hearts and minds of people during those early days as Fort Sumter was assaulted and as the Lincoln administration, in an act of resistance, began the fight for emancipation of the slaves, also mounting a resistance against any continuing illegal slave trade. My great-great-grandfather and his brother were engaged with the enemy months before the official war began at places such as deep in the West Virginia mountains conducting counterguerrilla operations, and Shiloh, Tennessee, where they both fought valiantly, barely escaping death after being ambushed.

The war would damage Leo emotionally, and he would never overcome his anger toward what he saw as an inconsistent government. I believe his bitterness and rebellion resulted from cultural bigotry, which many German and Irish immigrants at that time suffered. My granddaddy used to tell me stories of these men, but now I often wonder how my times with him on the porch would have gone if I could have shared all that I now know about their epic lives. He talked about how one of the brothers just couldn’t live with the lies and inconsistencies of a nation that talked about freedom but didn’t live out the reality of it. Leo was that brother. One day, I hope I will find where Leo was buried and restore his honor. Trauma and bitterness were without question part of Leo’s story of rebellion.

Back then, people didn’t know much about PTSD and stress-related injuries. Also, it wasn’t only the Blacks and slaves who were despised and hated by some bigoted people who called themselves Native Americans and referred to recent immigrants and people of African descent as outsiders.

Benjamin would fight valiantly in many battles of the war in the western theater (the South) and return home after narrowly escaping death at the Battle of Chickamauga. He was part of a routing of the Confederate Army in hot pursuit of the Union Army as the latter executed a tactical retreat. General Hazen, recognizing the dire situation and the prospect of certain death, turned toward the pursuing Confederate troops, hot on their heels, and slayed thousands of his pursuers. Benjamin was part of this heroic action, which lasted only minutes and foreshadowed the victories that would come at Chattanooga only days later.

I share this little piece of history, not so much because I am proud of my grandfather’s resolve and heroism, but more because the lesson that it teaches is the same lesson we must apply today in fighting this deadly culture war looming among us. We must turn sharply into our fears, our anxieties, and our disagreements and face head-on those terrible demons that pursue us and threaten to destroy our very existence. And we must do this in truth.

So, to Benjamin and Leo Henderman, I salute you both, and I vow to continue the pursuit of elusive freedom. Your lives gave me inspiration at a time in my own life when I didn’t understand the hatred leveled against me for no other reason than the color of my skin and my culture. I believe I may meet Benjamin again one day. With great gratitude, I will continue their pursuit of freedom for all people and do my best to honor their memories.

My children also deserve to be recognized in this dedication. You have lived a while now, and each of you have suffered more than any child or young adult should ever have to endure. You were raised to know and love the Lord, and I pray His grace and mercy will be on you all the days of your lives. This book, I hope, will be a guide for the way you engage some of the challenges you have already faced, and the ones that may still lie ahead of your precious lives.

So then, what of those who have made this work possible?

First, I thank my wife, Kathy! You are a beautiful and gentle soul whom I am very thankful to call my best friend and companion. You are, without question, my soulmate. You mean so very much to me, and I am forever grateful for the part you play in helping me to see things as they are and in helping me to think before I act. God has gifted you as a teacher, and your editing skill is top-notch. I am grateful and I love you very much!

To my pastors at Dogwood: Keith Moore, Jay Vinyard, and John Warnock. You guys have been quiet friends and supporters through the darkest days of my life. Life changed suddenly some years ago. I have always known you were there, and you provided me a quiet confidence to keep going even when it seemed the lights had gone out. Sometimes talking isn’t what is needed. Keith, you don’t know it yet, but when I was ready to back out of the book, twice God spoke directly through your messages as if He had been talking directly to me.

To my former pastor and friend of many years, Chuck Allen. You have challenged me in ways that made where I am today possible. We lived through some of the same and similar difficulties in the Christian missions communities, and your insight has been helpful in forming some of this work. Maybe one day he will bring our paths together again.

Next, I would like to express my gratitude to the many who have challenged my life through their hatred and cultural bigotry. You have taught me and opened my eyes. Over time, the Lord’s grace has become enough for me, and I have learned from these life trials. I could list a lot of names here and fill the pages with them. But then I think that might seem, and even be, disingenuous. Rather, let me remember those who have hurt me over the years, and let me learn from their unjust assaults. In the end, you made me stronger. And in my weakness, His strength is made perfect. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

The Constitution and the Founding Fathers: As you dig into the core of these books, there may be times when it will feel like I am going against my own American heritage. I have family members who fought in the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and a proud heritage of military, government, and law enforcement service, to include my own direct family today. This pragmatic and unbiased approach is the bane of the investigative disciplines, and the commitment of the Christian heritage. Sometimes our findings are not comfortable or expected.

We have all taken oaths of service at different levels to protect serve and protect the Constitution of the United States, as well as the people of the nation. We have also sworn oaths to provide unbiased and truthful service and to do so without prejudice. So, I thank and dedicate this work to the Founders of this great nation, to the authors and signers of the Constitution, perhaps the greatest document ever penned in support of national unity and freedom. I believe we began the process of the needed modification through the process of the Bill of Rights and by maintaining state-level autonomy and cooperation. I also, today, believe we have come to that place where some further work is needed to adjust the way we think about our national past, and the way we approach the present and future in the pursuit of freedom for all people.

A heartfelt gratitude forever remains in my being, as I realize that while not perfect, and some downright scoundrels, the Founders were an odd bunch. Bristling with personalities, secrets, dark sides, strength, and courage, as well as men and women of faith, none of us would be here today and able to have these discussions, form our protests, or frame our concerns if it had not been for these brave souls and the documents of freedom they created. Now, it is our time to work out our faith and republic in such a way as to bring honor first to the Lord we serve, and to those who have gone before us in service, dedication, and sacrifice. Thank you.

FOREWORD

I met Dave Henderman while working as a contractor for the Department of Homeland Security. Since we both were in leadership roles, we spent quite a bit of time working together and getting to know one another. Our assignment was to help define national and regional resiliency. The fact that Dave is a Christian, combined with his law enforcement background, love of history, and love of this country made me drawn to him and we became friends. Consequently, over the course of building training programs, assessment teams, and policies to help protect the nation’s critical infrastructure, a lasting friendship and a brotherhood in Christ developed.

Dave illustrates some of the devastating things that have happened in our nation’s past when authentic faith became complacent. Whether or not you agree with some of his opinions on certain issues, you cannot discount the fact that his research and investigation are solid and backed by many years of professional experience.

The plight of Black Americans and cultural tensions have improved substantially over my lifetime. However, if you asked the average American about cultural relations today, he or she is likely to say that things are getting worse, rather than better. Why is that so? Is it just perception? Or is it that Americans are losing faith that our society can heal from past wounds?

These are questions for our time and Dave provides insight and analysis into these inquiries in his book. He offers an examination of the facts, and he provides his thoughtful and researched opinions on the phenomena of current cultural strains in the United States. Accordingly, he delves into the historical, psychological, and spiritual components that converge to create these conditions. Dave has a heart for the Lord and because of this, I believe the Holy Spirit is able to lead and guide him into new depths and revelations on this subject. You will enjoy the historical details but will also be encouraged to see that embracing faith in Jesus Christ can provide a way to healing and restoration for all people.

As a son of Louisiana and a product of the Deep South, I have witnessed firsthand strained social relations over the decades. One example is that our generation has historically used the term race relations to describe sociocultural differences. In Justice, you’re going to find that Dave addresses this term within a Biblical context and points out that God created all of us as one blood (Acts 17: 24-31). Moreover, as a Christian I know that the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart and to love one’s neighbor as oneself (Mark 12: 31, Luke 10: 27, Romans 13: 9, Galatians 5: 14, James 2: 8). But racism undermines the second commandment – love your neighbor as yourself, and it weakens the Christian witness and contributes to division within American social relations and the Church.

Justice, the first work of the Elusive Freedom Series, offers some insight into how our enemies are using our sociocultural differences to undermine our children, families, and our nation. He characterizes their exploitation of our differences as a weapon of mass destruction employed as a component of waging sophisticated hybrid warfare against us.

In Justice, Dave offers some critical concerns that he brings to light and provides us some thoughtful actions to take to actively begin slowing down the toxic affects of modern social media and culture. In future works Dave is planning to offer more detailed analysis and practical tips concerning social media, the Internet, the Dark Web, cryptocurrency, and other related cyber and Internet related knowledge.

Justice offers a discussion that must be forefront in our nation to achieve real healing. True healing can be realized through the truth of the Gospel of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit working through us in our time. As a Christian and an American, I invite you to read David Henderman’s book, Justice, for a journey towards healing, reconciliation, and freedom.

Colonel Mark Kerry, USA, Retired

Mark Kerry resides in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana in the northwest part of the state. He retired from the Department of Homeland Security in May of 2023 where he worked as a department level planner and advisor leading a team of planners in developing, coordinating, and publishing DHS operational plans and senior executive decision-support products. He is a retired U.S. Army Infantry Colonel of 30 years who has served in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has two daughters, Emley who lives in New Orleans, and Olivia who is a student at Louisiana State University.

For the Lord is a God of justice;

Blessed are all those who wait for Him.

(Isaiah 30: 18 NKJV, emphasis added)

CONTENTS

Introduction

Chapter 1:     Transparency: Ethical and Fair Investigation

Chapter 2:     Cultural Division is a Weapon of Mass Destruction

Chapter 3:     Has the Thin Blue Line Failed in the United States?

Chapter 4:     White Superiority and the Lost Cause

Chapter 5:     Policing: We Must Not Give Up!

Chapter 6:     The Rise of American Peonage and Debt Servitude

Chapter 7:     Defund, Refund, or Reform: Change Is Coming

Chapter 8:     Black and White Evangelicalism and the Thin Blue Line

Chapter 9:     The Police: The Enemy of Evangelicalism?

Chapter 10:   The Sword of Justice: A Vision for Our Future

Chapter 11:   Awakening: Considering Woke Theology

Chapter 12:   Black, White, and Blue: Reconciliation and Reform

Chapter 13:   Spiritual Justice—a Biblical Plan for Unity

Chapter 14:   The Road to Truth (What Comes Next?)

References

INTRODUCTION

Unless you have heard me speak in the law enforcement, counterterrorism, or professional security communities, or you have read some of my articles in the tactical, intelligence, or homeland security publications, then you may not yet know who I am… You might ask why is this white man qualified to speak into this matter? Or, you might even say, who does this guy think he is writing a work like this!? Well, what follows, I hope will settle those concerns or questions for you. But more importantly, I think it has become critical for the rising tide of socialism. The toxic contagion of cultural division in America that stems from crafted hybrid warfare, as well as unrestricted warfare doctrine pose the greatest threat to our time and this country. Yes, I agree that there is much that needs to be discussed, worked through, and solved before we can have cultural peace and healing.

These cultural divisions must be addressed under a cultural flag of truce, or from a position of cultural parley. If not, this matter of national and homeland security will have become too far out of control to turn back. These matters have in fact currently been addressed – many times.

Yet, we continue to fight, bicker, and create greater and deeper divides. This is what our enemies, both terrestrial and spiritual, are working tirelessly to achieve (hybrid warfare exponentially force multiplied through open social media platforms). I believe you will find this approach fresh and current. I also believe that if you are a follower of Christ, you will begin to identify with some of the new information you will learn about here, and especially in the following two works of this series. This book is not written just for believers in the Christian faith. Justice will open the doors to discussions, new information, and lay the groundwork for a much deeper dive into our national, and global history, that is relevant to everyone involved in these contemporary conflicts.

You can be sure that I will bring four decades of investigations and intelligence knowledge, education, experience, and training to this project. I hope to build a team(s) to conduct deep investigations into past and present matters of slavery and truth in history. I hope (and pray) that we can bring the fractured sides and hearts to the same table of peace and relationally begin to reconstruct our nation’s heritage in a way, manor, and narrative that tells not only parts of the truth, but all of it. I am also a pastor who has worked quietly in the trenches of the warrior communities over the years. Unlike our government’s approach to pluralistic chaplains and counter-Christian policies, I have quietly and without shame lived and shared Jesus Christ with numerous warriors over the years. In these books, we’re going to talk about how we can address current day law enforcement issues (where there are actual issues) and how we can help and support our valued and appreciated first responders in being and becoming all they can be in a world that seems to hate them. Policing is still an honorable and ministering position, ordained by God (Romans 13).

I’m telling you from the beginning, I am a Christian, and a follower of Jesus Christ. I am not ashamed of my faith or to discuss it with anyone, including our enemies. I won’t push it on you. But I will not compromise the message of the Truth. This commitment has been well tested over 44 years of walking with Jesus. Unlike Thomas Jefferson, I do believe that Jesus is the son of God. I believe firmly in the divinity of Jesus, not simply in His precepts or His morals and values. This is a hot and difficult discussion for some on both sides of the argument. I wish to bring peace to both sides and help all of us build the bridge to peace and unity.

I was kept out of Saudi Arabia some years ago, even after securing a work visa, because I am a Christian and I had been in Israel a few years before. The spiritual message I carry brings Life and Liberty. I wasn’t in the Middle East for Christian mission work. I have however, never allowed it to be unclear of this bias or my commitment to Christ and belief of the Father’s hand on EVERY aspect of life. Before some become enraged over my comment about Thomas Jefferson, please hold the salvo until after we get through book three.

George Washington kneeling in prayer at Valley Forge (beautiful painting) has been in my home and office for longer than my children have been alive. I believed for many years the same way some of our brothers and sisters believed and still believe the claims about Christianity, Jesus, and our American heritage. In some respects, I believe the arguments and sentiments are valid. From another perspective, they fall way short of center. Together, we will investigate these claims and hopefully find the pathway to common ground, forgiveness, and genuine reconciliation.

My first grandchild, Tiana, who is of mixed race will be growing up in a world that is hostile to her innocent heart – a world that is not her friend. The world is changing. If we are to survive, and especially if we are to thrive, we will have to learn to work together. Spatial and geographic borders at one time in our not-so-distant past kept us apart and provided some level of safety and security. Today, because of globalization, transportation, and technology, there is little place for expertise, significance, or an expectation of privacy. The world is no longer safe – anywhere. Because of this, we must reconsider our approach to how we choose to live and interact with each other. I maintain that Jesus provided us the answers for these problems.

While my understanding of history and factual views of the country and our heritage have shifted significantly, I plan to keep General Washington on the wall of my study. He does still represent our nation’s battles for freedom, and the incredible sacrifice that we must make at times as we battle against evil and tyranny. Yet, there is a dark spirit that lurks in the shadows just behind General Washington. A great evil and a shadowing reminder how wicked enemy spies and saboteurs can be in both kinetic and spiritual terms of warfare. Slavery. Greed. Compromise. In book two, we’ll dig deeper into George Washington, but for now, were you aware that when Washington accepted his commission to lead the Continental Army, he owned over 130 slaves on his land, where he raised (unsuccessfully) tobacco? We’re not going to hit it with 3/5 representation of our commitment to truth. Let’s go for 5/5 effort, and a strong blow against the enemies of truth and freedom for all people. We’re going to engage this adversary head on… God had his reasons for American victories. I will share some of what I have learned over many years of studying within the worlds of government and organized Christianity.

For those on the side of conservative Christianity, may I ask you to hold judgment and to give this approach a chance before putting a heat round in my inbox? I’m asking you to work with me through the investigation and for you to consider, ponder, and pray about the evidence. It is vast – and compelling. I think what I would ask of you is to consider the way we communicate freedom and how we choose to use the word Godly in our time. Our personal and community worldviews matter. How we communicate, the words we choose, and the way we live matter. Others are watching and our witness for Christ is at stake. Will you do this? Just consider all of the evidence. I’ll explain more in a little while.

For those who are progressive in today’s terms: Will you allow me to make a case that could provide you also what you are seeking? As stated, my bias is that of a white Christian conservative. I do not believe that being a Christian, and being conservative are mutually exclusive. As a matter of fact, conservative today is changing and different than when I was younger. While I have been a conservative (for the same reasons my 2nd Great Grandfather was) my entire adult life, the only reason I have stayed in the party is to not contribute to the division being caused by the egos, attitudes, and evil that is dividing it today. I hope, pray, and work for a better day when the right motives and morals will return. A spirit of cooperation, with strong foundational ideals is necessary.

When men