About the Event
D-Day and the Providence of God:
The Virtual Tour and Online Study Course
This year, many of the last living survivors of the greatest amphibious invasion history will be returning to Normandy for the final time. As they return, Vision Forum Ministries’ camera team will be there. Our team of Christian historians will be there as well, together with families who want to honor our World War II veterans with a “Final Farwell” celebration—all part of a significant effort to produce a virtual tour and study course from Normandy about the Battle of D-Day, perhaps the very first of its kind that is specifically designed to give a providential Christian perspective on the men and events that were used by God in June of 1944 to change the course of the 20th century.
Today I want to invite you to join us on this unprecedented Christian overview of “the longest day,” by signing up for “D-Day and the Providence of God: The Virtual Tour and Online Study Course.” As a subscriber, you will receive in-the-field reports from the ground in Europe, special bonus features, and seven power-packed teaching episodes from Normandy, London, Paris, and Rome which cover the following topics:
In Episode 1, we learn that the Second World War, and D-Day itself, occurred in a broader context than simply a great military conflict, as did the philosophies, alliances, rules of engagement, and military and political decisions that drove the war and its many battles. Adolf Hitler and his worldview (though taken to a horrific extreme) were ultimately an extension of key religious commitments which came to define the modern world in the 20th century. Winston Churchill represented very different commitments, those which emerged from an ancient order associated with the ethics of Christendom. In the end, the Second World War and the 20th century itself must be evaluated on the basis of the theology which drove the men and movements of that time.
In Episode 2, we will study the foolishness of appeasement in the context of the conquest of Europe by Hitler, and seek to understand the providential meaning and relationship of the Allies’ early defeats at Dunkirk and Dieppe to their ultimate success on D-Day. Our strategic overview will take us from the Battle of Britain to the introduction of the United States into the War after Pearl Harbor, to North Africa/Sicily, and ultimately to the foundations of D-Day.
Episode 3 presents a fascinating study of a biblical perspective on leadership during the Second World War. We will examine the character and leadership skills of eight key decision-makers in the European theater of war— President Roosevelt, General Eisenhower, General Bradley, General Patton, Winston Churchill, General Montgomery, General Rommel, and Adolf Hitler. We will note the differences between bold confidence in a holy outcome and leading through courage and trust, and leadership styles which are dependent on fear and intimidation. And we will see how all of these issues were decisive in Normandy on June 6, 1944 as D-Day operations commenced.
Episode 4 evaluates the ethics of spying in wartime and the specific operations of Allied forces to confuse the enemy. Special emphasis is placed on the “ultra secret” and the many remarkable providences of God in concealing the efforts of the Allies during D-Day. We will also examine General Patton’s shadow army and the true story of the courageous French underground resistance.
Episode 5 focuses on one of the most compelling elements of the D-Day story: the decision to go. Here we understand both the power of the Lord to control weather and direct the course of human events, and the unique preparation of General Eisenhower for this one moment in time. Also, from a providential, historical perspective, the decision to go takes place in the context of an amazing series of events within the camp of the enemy, including mistakes, decisions and indecisions, and confused reports, and the handicapping of Rommel’s efforts by the high command.
Episode 6 turns our attention to the men of D-Day. Here we begin to understand important lessons about manhood and courage as we look at the sacrifice of the U. S. Infantry on Utah Beach with the 4th Division, and the 1st and 29th Divisions on Omaha Beach; the British Infantry’s sacrifice on Gold Beach with its 50th Division and on Sword Beach with its 3rd Division, the Canadians’ sacrifice at June Beach with its 3rd Division, and the US 82nd & 101st Airborne Divisions which dropped inland of Utah Beach in the pre-dawn hours of the invasion. We will remember the story of the Bedford Boys, the Band of Brothers, and Medal of Honor recipients, and the stories of Ted Roosevelt, Jr., Carleton Barrett, Jimmy Montieth, Jr., John J. Pinder, Jr., and, of course, the Rangers of Pointe du Hoc.
Episode 7, our final episode, offers a Christian perspective on the aftermath of D-Day. We will consider the cost of D-Day and its meaning, the Hedgerows, Contentin, Falaise Pocket, and Breakout. Most importantly, we will answer these questions: What duties have we inherited from the men of D-Day; why must we remember D-Day and the men of D-Day; and what additional lessons can we learn as we look back nearly seventy years to this battle?
Sign Up Today!
Designed for Christian families, home educators, Christian students, and people just interested in an exciting and inspirational learning experience, this is an incredible learning opportunity.
The cost to subscribe to the “D-Day and the Providence of God: The Virtual Tour and Online Course,” is $59, which gives you access to video field reports from Europe and our “A Final Farewell” celebration, our special bonus series on “Food as Culture: A Look at the Gastronomy of Europe,” and of course, our seven online episodes from D-Day and the Providence of God, complete with study questions and a downloadable certificate of completion.
Bonus #1: Subscribe Now and Get Video Field Reports from Europe, Including Our “A Final Farewell” Tour and Celebration.
As part of your subscription, we are pleased to send you field reports from Italy, France, and Scotland that relate important stories and information relevant to the broader study of the Second World War, Christianity, and the history of Europe.
Bonus #2: Special Reports on Christianity and Culture
As a special bonus, all subscribers to D-Day and the Providence of God will also receive access to a series of short film treatments we will be shooting in Rome, Paris, London and Edinburgh on these subjects related to issues of Christianity and culture:
Field Reports, Bonus Features and Episode Broadcasts
Watch your first field report on “The Italian Campaign and the Liberation of Rome” from Rome on Memorial Day—Monday, May 30. Over the following three weeks you will receive periodic field reports and bonus features, including our series of film shorts such as “Food as Culture: The Gastronomy of Europe.” Also, join us on June 6 (the anniversary of D-Day) and June 7 for a very special field report on our “A Final Farewell” celebration. This will be a wonderful way to have exclusive access to our event in Normandy and to experience the pageantry, interviews, the emotions, and the power of a unique moment in the history of our country—a final farewell to our last living D-Day veterans.
Our seven “D-Day and the Providence of God” episodes will begin broadcasting on Tuesday, June 28 at 7:00 p.m. (CDT), and will continue at that same time on Tuesday nights for the following six weeks. Don’t worry if you miss an episode—you will have access to each episode via our online archives.
Check our website, www.afinalfarwell.org, for continuing updates and schedules.