A note on Terrorism
Jesus when asked
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40.
The world is going through some perilous times, with terrorist attacks all around the world. The world is essentially at war. Still it’s no different than any other war.
I was born in England just after world war two. My father served with the British army in North Africa, Italy, Belgium and Germany from just prior to the war until just past the end. A little over six years fighting against the Nazis and their allies. During that time he lost some close friends.
My mother lived in England throughout the blitz. Several of her friends died due to the bombings.
Still when they talked about the war it wasn’t about the bombings although it did come up from time to time. What they did talk about was the good times. The fun they had.
Life continued on. Yes the bombers came over dropped hundreds of tons of bombs blew up houses, put huge craters in the road and killed people, but life went on.
Not only that but it brought people together. It made them more determined than ever to defeat their enemy.
The terrorist today may not be using high flying bombers, but the bombers they use still kill innocent people. At the same time life goes on and each bombing or act of terrorism brings the peace loving people of the world together.
Especially it seems since the beginning of the twentieth century our world has become a cold, cold place.
Materialism has it seems replaced true faith as the religion of choice. People have turned far from God. Many young people such as those who have turned to terrorist groups seem to be disenfranchised with the western world in particular.
It’s no different from world war two when Hitler seen the pain, suffering and impoverishment, the treaty that ended world war one left Germany and its people in. Hitler used all the negatives the western democracies had imposed on Germany as a rallying point. Promising the German people prosperity and a renewed pride in themselves. Not only that, he at least in the beginning delivered.
Sadly his hatred of the Jews and others dragged the German people into destruction.
ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Al-Shabaab, and other terrorist organisations will sadly bring their followers also to destruction.
As a Christian I believe there is a solution to the problem or terrorism. Faith in God and faith in Jesus Christ.
The principles of Christ, Love for God, for ones neighbour, and even ones enemy are essentials to the building of a fair and just society.
These terrorist claim they are from God but they are not.
Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society. Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.”
Abba Hillel Silver
These terrorist groups today are not of God they are the work of Satan. If they were of God they would recognize the rights of the individual. They would be showing love to their fellow man, not sowing hate.
And here’s something else for those who would say they are from God but are not, to consider,
Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?
Matthew 5:43-47
Think about it.
Monday, 12 January 2015
Sunday, 11 January 2015
A Lesson terrorist need to know
A Lesson Terrorist need to know
T.H. White wrote,
“There was just such a man when I was young—an Austrian who invented a new way of life and convinced himself that he was the chap to make it work. He tried to impose his reformation by the sword, and plunged the civilized world into misery and chaos.
But the thing which this fellow had overlooked, my friend, was that he had a predecessor in the reformation business, called Jesus Christ.
Perhaps we may assume that Jesus knew as much as the Austrian did about saving people. But the odd thing is that Jesus did not turn the disciples into storm troopers, burn down the Temple at Jerusalem, and fix the blame on Pontius Pilate.
On the contrary, he made it clear that the business of the philosopher was to make ideas available, and not to impose them on people.”
T.H. White, The Once and Future King.
What T.H. White wrote is as true when applied to the terrorist of 2015 as applied to Adolf Hitler in 1935.
These people think they can impose their idea of an ideal life on people. They cannot. No one can impose their will on anyone.
These men, these terrorist are misguided. Hate and force can never change people. Only love can do that.
Sadly in our world today love is lacking. These young men and women who join terrorist organizations will never change the world in any meaningful way.
They may think that in dying for there misguided cause they are dying a martyrs death. They will however wake up in eternity to see their just and righteous judge is Jesus Christ the son of God.
Only true love can change the world. Napoleon said,
"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power.”
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
“I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel. Neither history nor humanity, nor ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary.”
Napoleon Bonaparte.
Hate and force of arms will never change the world. No one can force their will on another human being successfully.
Only love can change the world and...
Think about it.
T.H. White wrote,
“There was just such a man when I was young—an Austrian who invented a new way of life and convinced himself that he was the chap to make it work. He tried to impose his reformation by the sword, and plunged the civilized world into misery and chaos.
But the thing which this fellow had overlooked, my friend, was that he had a predecessor in the reformation business, called Jesus Christ.
Perhaps we may assume that Jesus knew as much as the Austrian did about saving people. But the odd thing is that Jesus did not turn the disciples into storm troopers, burn down the Temple at Jerusalem, and fix the blame on Pontius Pilate.
On the contrary, he made it clear that the business of the philosopher was to make ideas available, and not to impose them on people.”
T.H. White, The Once and Future King.
What T.H. White wrote is as true when applied to the terrorist of 2015 as applied to Adolf Hitler in 1935.
These people think they can impose their idea of an ideal life on people. They cannot. No one can impose their will on anyone.
These men, these terrorist are misguided. Hate and force can never change people. Only love can do that.
Sadly in our world today love is lacking. These young men and women who join terrorist organizations will never change the world in any meaningful way.
They may think that in dying for there misguided cause they are dying a martyrs death. They will however wake up in eternity to see their just and righteous judge is Jesus Christ the son of God.
Only true love can change the world. Napoleon said,
"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power.”
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
“I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel. Neither history nor humanity, nor ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary.”
Napoleon Bonaparte.
Hate and force of arms will never change the world. No one can force their will on another human being successfully.
Only love can change the world and...
“Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast,
it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13
Think about it.
Saturday, 10 January 2015
Hell in a Handbarrow
Hell in a Handbarrow?
Thanks to my wife the ultimate book worm I have a house full of books. She has never found a book she wishes to throw away.
Quite some time ago now when we were moving into a smaller house someone gave her a box of Christian books dating back to the fifties.
One book entitled "Essentials in Christian Faith" by John B. Harrington, published in 1958, could have been written yesterday.
It opens with this quote from Paul Gallico in Esquire Magazine in 1948:
"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.’"
Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution.
Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency and courage."
Another Paul writing to a member of the first century church wrote the following,
"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God" 2 Timothy 3:1-4
If Paul Gallico is right and I believe he is, mankind is considerably nearer the bottom of that slope than he was in 1948. Moreover at the bottom of that slope is a very deep lake filled with brimstone.
The Church particularly here in North America has in some ways failed. In the United States I hear the loudest voices in the Christian community seemingly more concerned with their rights and criticizing those they disagree with than preaching the message Christ intended them to do.
It is a message I believe if presented correctly can change lives in a very real way.
The present situation we are in here in the west with young men and women turning to terrorist groups also speaks volumes as to the emptiness of materialism that is so prevalent in our society today.
Young people want to belong they want things to aspire too. And many see no future in the society in which we live.
My father’s generation had something to believe in. Unfortunately it was world war two. They were called to fight for freedom and from 1939 to 1945 they put their lives on the line in a war that cost nearly sixty million lives.
They fought the war believing they would bring about a better world and for some of us, myself included, we have had a better life.
Now however society seems to be moving relentlessly to the abyss.
Scientist warn of climate change yet governments and private industry refuse to listen. Putting profits over the potential destruction of life on this planet.
Particularly here in the west materialism is rampant and she is a cold bed partner. Twenty-five years ago we didn’t need a lap top. We didn’t need a cell phone. Yet now everyone needs one.
On top of all of this poverty is on the rise. Here in Canada food banks are giving out more than ever before.
The poor of the world have become marginalised. Many young men and women are discouraged with the society in which they live.
They see such radical groups as ISIS and others and see within them the opportunity first of all to belong. Secondly to be part of what they see as a just cause.
Sadly they are being mislead but our western society dose not offer many options for these men and women.
As I see it also the Christian Church has fallen flat also. Many have refused to enter the twenty-first century.
That’s not to say they have to abandon the message of Christ. Quite the contrary the true message of the Gospel of Christ is truly the answer for the problems of today.
It’s just that many churches are not presenting the message in a way that is relevant to today’s youth.
Sadly I believe we are entering what the Bible calls the end times and the apostle Paul tells us that in the end times. A time when God will eventually judge the whole world.
Paul describes the last days like this,
"...There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God"
2 Timothy 3:1-4
Think about it,
Thanks to my wife the ultimate book worm I have a house full of books. She has never found a book she wishes to throw away.
Quite some time ago now when we were moving into a smaller house someone gave her a box of Christian books dating back to the fifties.
One book entitled "Essentials in Christian Faith" by John B. Harrington, published in 1958, could have been written yesterday.
It opens with this quote from Paul Gallico in Esquire Magazine in 1948:
"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.’"
Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution.
Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency and courage."
Another Paul writing to a member of the first century church wrote the following,
"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God" 2 Timothy 3:1-4
If Paul Gallico is right and I believe he is, mankind is considerably nearer the bottom of that slope than he was in 1948. Moreover at the bottom of that slope is a very deep lake filled with brimstone.
The Church particularly here in North America has in some ways failed. In the United States I hear the loudest voices in the Christian community seemingly more concerned with their rights and criticizing those they disagree with than preaching the message Christ intended them to do.
It is a message I believe if presented correctly can change lives in a very real way.
The present situation we are in here in the west with young men and women turning to terrorist groups also speaks volumes as to the emptiness of materialism that is so prevalent in our society today.
Young people want to belong they want things to aspire too. And many see no future in the society in which we live.
My father’s generation had something to believe in. Unfortunately it was world war two. They were called to fight for freedom and from 1939 to 1945 they put their lives on the line in a war that cost nearly sixty million lives.
They fought the war believing they would bring about a better world and for some of us, myself included, we have had a better life.
Now however society seems to be moving relentlessly to the abyss.
Scientist warn of climate change yet governments and private industry refuse to listen. Putting profits over the potential destruction of life on this planet.
Particularly here in the west materialism is rampant and she is a cold bed partner. Twenty-five years ago we didn’t need a lap top. We didn’t need a cell phone. Yet now everyone needs one.
On top of all of this poverty is on the rise. Here in Canada food banks are giving out more than ever before.
The poor of the world have become marginalised. Many young men and women are discouraged with the society in which they live.
They see such radical groups as ISIS and others and see within them the opportunity first of all to belong. Secondly to be part of what they see as a just cause.
Sadly they are being mislead but our western society dose not offer many options for these men and women.
As I see it also the Christian Church has fallen flat also. Many have refused to enter the twenty-first century.
That’s not to say they have to abandon the message of Christ. Quite the contrary the true message of the Gospel of Christ is truly the answer for the problems of today.
It’s just that many churches are not presenting the message in a way that is relevant to today’s youth.
Sadly I believe we are entering what the Bible calls the end times and the apostle Paul tells us that in the end times. A time when God will eventually judge the whole world.
Paul describes the last days like this,
"...There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God"
2 Timothy 3:1-4
Think about it,
Friday, 9 January 2015
Je SUIS CHARLIE
JE SUIS CHARLIE“When they came for the Communists, I did not stand up, because I was not a Communist. When they came for the Jews, I did not stand up, because I was not Jewish. When they came for the Catholics, I did not stand up, because I was not a Catholic. When they came for me, there was no one left to stand up.”
Martin Niemollor.
Martin Niemoller spent from 1937 to 1945 in Nazi death camps narrowly escaping death. He experienced first hand what it was to see the freedoms of others and his own freedom restricted.
Hitler was in the twentieth century the quintessential purveyor of evil. The war he started cost close to sixty million lives, not counting those he killed prior to the war.
Today the world faces a new threat. Terrorist who would restrict the beliefs and freedoms of all who disagrees with them.
Like Hitler these terrorist have been allowed to grow because the democracies of the west did not consider them a threat and firmly believed in freedom of expression, even if they disagreed with what was being said.
Now twelve people have been murdered in France by a group who while claiming to be people of God are nothing but evil men.
Not to long ago here in Canada two men killed two Canadian soldiers in the misguided belief they were doing God’s will.
Around the world there have been dozens of terrorist attacks all by men claiming to be of God but are doing nothing more than the work of the devil himself.
I admit as a Christian I know little about Islam. The few Muslims I’ve met and worked with are peace loving people, who have accepted me for the Christian I am.
I also admit I know little about the magazine that was attacked. Only that it tended to be irreverent and poked fun at everyone irrespective of who they are.
While I may not agree with what the magazine prints. I do respect its right to freedom of speech, because restricting the speech of anyone or any group is the start of a slippery slope that will end in restriction of freedoms of us all. Nazi Germany proved that.
I also know there is only one way to end the hate of this world. Through the love of Christ. Hate and force cannot change the minds of people.
Yeshayahu Leibowitz wrote,
“You can ‘t force people to do what they don’t want to do, to feel what they don’t feel. If someone wills one thing, you cannot tell it to will another. It has to come from within.”
-Yeshayahu Leibowitz, Judaic scholar and professor of biochemistry, quoted in
“Of Thorns, Idols, and Prophecy,” Hadassah, May 1990
Napoleon Bonaparte who certainly knew what it was like to try to impose his will on the world said,
"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power.”
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
“I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel. Neither history nor humanity, nor ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary.”
Napoleon Bonaparte.
Terrorist like ISIS and others may try to conquer the world. May try to impose their will upon people but they will never win because they use force. And force cannot truly change the hearts of men.
Today scattered around the world in every nation there are over two point two billion Christians. We Christians are the largest faith group in the world and we continue to grow despite being the most persecuted group in the world.
We have reached almost a third of the worlds population and we have done so through Love of God, Ones neighbour and even one’s enemy.
The terrorist of the world filled with an ideology of hate and lust for power will never understand it. It is for that reason they will ultimately fail.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.
It is such love, the love of Christ, that will ultimately change the world. Not force of arms or hate.
Think about it.
Thursday, 8 January 2015
My Belief
My Belief
C.S. Lewis said,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
C. S. Lewis
“A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.”
C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain
For me Jesus is the most important person in my life. I am a Christian. I believe Jesus is all he said he was, the one and only Son of God. If I am wrong I have nothing to fear for in my trying to live up to his ideals I have lived a good life.
I believe that no matter what men may say there is a God. A God I would like everyone to know.
For me if there is no God then mankind is destined for extinction most likely by his own hand.
Historians recognize Jesus lived and I don’t think anyone can fault his teachings, of love of God, one’s neighbour and even one’s enemies.
I believe anyone with an open mind if they are truly seeking the truth will read the Bible and find the way to salvation and eternal life.
Please take some time to read at least the New Testament and see the truths there in.
Please think about it.
C.S. Lewis said,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
C. S. Lewis
“A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.”
C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain
For me Jesus is the most important person in my life. I am a Christian. I believe Jesus is all he said he was, the one and only Son of God. If I am wrong I have nothing to fear for in my trying to live up to his ideals I have lived a good life.
I believe that no matter what men may say there is a God. A God I would like everyone to know.
For me if there is no God then mankind is destined for extinction most likely by his own hand.
Historians recognize Jesus lived and I don’t think anyone can fault his teachings, of love of God, one’s neighbour and even one’s enemies.
I believe anyone with an open mind if they are truly seeking the truth will read the Bible and find the way to salvation and eternal life.
Please take some time to read at least the New Testament and see the truths there in.
Please think about it.
Wednesday, 7 January 2015
Of Jesus
Of Jesus
“The unique impression of Jesus upon mankind - whose name is not so much written as ploughed into the history of the world - is proof of the subtle virtue of this infusion. Jesus belonged to the race of prophets. He saw with open eyes the mystery of the soul. One man was true to what is in you and me. He, as I think, is the only soul in history who has appreciated the worth of man.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
I don’t know if Emerson was a Christian but he is right when he states, “He, as I think, is the only soul in history who has appreciated the worth of man.”
Jesus did know the full worth of man because he is God and he created man. He wanted man to have fellowship with Him.
In our world today life is cheap. Murder on and industrial scale has been going on since before the twentieth century. The twentieth however put murder in the form of war into overdrive and the carnage continues as we enter the twenty-first century.
The carnage on a lesser scale also happens in the form of murders by individuals on the streets of our cities. Crime is everywhere.
Some people within our society have no fear of the law. Their conscience seems to be non-existent. They to steal, murder, rape and kill at will.
Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society. Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.”
Abba Hillel Silver
The more our society becomes more secularized and God is taken out of it or as in the case of groups like ISIS the morals of God are twisted the worse our society becomes.
Our society needs moral absolutes and unless we the inhabitants of Planet Earth turn back to God’s absolutes I’m afraid our society will eventually spiral down to anarchy or end in hell.
Think about it.
“The unique impression of Jesus upon mankind - whose name is not so much written as ploughed into the history of the world - is proof of the subtle virtue of this infusion. Jesus belonged to the race of prophets. He saw with open eyes the mystery of the soul. One man was true to what is in you and me. He, as I think, is the only soul in history who has appreciated the worth of man.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
I don’t know if Emerson was a Christian but he is right when he states, “He, as I think, is the only soul in history who has appreciated the worth of man.”
Jesus did know the full worth of man because he is God and he created man. He wanted man to have fellowship with Him.
In our world today life is cheap. Murder on and industrial scale has been going on since before the twentieth century. The twentieth however put murder in the form of war into overdrive and the carnage continues as we enter the twenty-first century.
The carnage on a lesser scale also happens in the form of murders by individuals on the streets of our cities. Crime is everywhere.
Some people within our society have no fear of the law. Their conscience seems to be non-existent. They to steal, murder, rape and kill at will.
Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society. Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.”
Abba Hillel Silver
The more our society becomes more secularized and God is taken out of it or as in the case of groups like ISIS the morals of God are twisted the worse our society becomes.
Our society needs moral absolutes and unless we the inhabitants of Planet Earth turn back to God’s absolutes I’m afraid our society will eventually spiral down to anarchy or end in hell.
Think about it.
Tuesday, 6 January 2015
History's Apex
History's Apex
William Durant, popular American modern historian and philosopher (1885-1981) When asked what he felt the apex of history was said,
“the three years that Jesus of Nazareth walked the earth.”
Many historians, and philosophers tend to agree with that statement.
Jesus a man born of lowly birth in a back water village in the back waters of the Roman empire has at this writing, more said and written about him that all of the Roman emperors combined.
Julius Cesar, Nero, Hadrian and others ruled an empire that stretched from India to Britain and around the Mediterranean. Yet upon their death their influence died. It is the same for every earthly leader that has ever lived.
Yet Jesus who was born over two thousand years ago still influences history and society. Millions today are willing to die for him.
Millions are proclaiming his teaching of Love for God, one neighbours, and even one enemies. And sadly they are being persecuted around the world for proclaiming such things.
Two thousand years have passed and gone yet the words of Jesus and the promise he offers of eternal life is still being taken to the nations of the world.
Many men and political leaders have tried to stomp out Christianity but all have failed.
At the trial of two of Christ’s apostles the book of acts records a wise man a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honoured by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and said,
“Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
Acts 5:38,39
I am certain Gamaliel was right. That Jesus came from God that he is the Son of God. However it is up to the individual I believe to read the New Testament and make their own conclusions.
Please think about it.
William Durant, popular American modern historian and philosopher (1885-1981) When asked what he felt the apex of history was said,
“the three years that Jesus of Nazareth walked the earth.”
Many historians, and philosophers tend to agree with that statement.
Jesus a man born of lowly birth in a back water village in the back waters of the Roman empire has at this writing, more said and written about him that all of the Roman emperors combined.
Julius Cesar, Nero, Hadrian and others ruled an empire that stretched from India to Britain and around the Mediterranean. Yet upon their death their influence died. It is the same for every earthly leader that has ever lived.
Yet Jesus who was born over two thousand years ago still influences history and society. Millions today are willing to die for him.
Millions are proclaiming his teaching of Love for God, one neighbours, and even one enemies. And sadly they are being persecuted around the world for proclaiming such things.
Two thousand years have passed and gone yet the words of Jesus and the promise he offers of eternal life is still being taken to the nations of the world.
Many men and political leaders have tried to stomp out Christianity but all have failed.
At the trial of two of Christ’s apostles the book of acts records a wise man a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honoured by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and said,
“Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
Acts 5:38,39
I am certain Gamaliel was right. That Jesus came from God that he is the Son of God. However it is up to the individual I believe to read the New Testament and make their own conclusions.
Please think about it.
Monday, 5 January 2015
Not until
Not until
“Not until the creation and maintenance of decent conditions of life for all men are recognized and accepted as a common obligation of all men and all countries—not until then shall we, with a certain degree of justification, be able to speak of mankind as civilized.”
Albert Einstein
Creation and maintenance of decent conditions of life for all mankind. It is something I don’t think man can do on his own.
I look around the world and I see, greed, and hatred in abundance. I look at the poor suffering souls in Africa that are suffering through Ebola and I ask myself, why.
If man is so evolved why isn’t he caring for his fellow man. Why are many in Africa and around the world living in shanty towns with poor sanitation, little food, and almost no medical care?
Some economist years ago once told me if only half of the money spent on the militaries around the world, were spent on the poor of the world, we’d end poverty.
I truly believe man has what the bible calls a sin nature. He has a tendency to think of himself first. Wars, and crime are examples of that.
Not only that but we in the west who could be a major player in ending poverty are not doing all we could do to eliminate it.
I am convinced the majority of people in the world want all wars to end. Want to see and end to poverty. Yet those in political power refuse to take action.
Some in power in parts of the world are even being counter productive and sowing hate among those they control.
It is my view that those in power will do little to help the poor either in their own country or around the world.
What the world need is for it’s leaders and those in power be it in government or in private industry to turn to God. To turn to the fundamental beliefs of Christianity, of Love for God, ones neighbours, and even ones enemies.
James talking to Christians said,
“Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?”
James 2:15,16.
The Talmud tells this story,
“Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?” He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.”
The Talmud.
Sadly because of man’s Avarice, hatred, and lust for power we do not have a household of love.
We are all related on this planet. Whether you believe we come from a mutated chunk of protoplasm or are son’s of Adam. We are all related. We should all be willing to do what we can to help our fellow man.
In an earlier blog post I quoted something else from the Talmud that said,
“When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?” Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual? “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
The Talmud.
Sadly I believe many people in power be it political, corporate or even religious power, have not dealt honourably with their fellow man.
Especially throughout the twentieth century and into the opening years of this century. Governments have spent uncounted billions to make war. While the so called democratic and peace loving people of the war have been forced to spend uncounted billions on weapons in a vain attempt to end wars, hatred and poverty.
Man cannot do it alone. I’m afraid left to his own devices man will wipe himself out.
Without God’s direct intervention in history, Darwin’s theory of evolution may be proven correct because it will be a case of survival of the fittest, and the fittest will be the most vicious. A man or woman standing alone in a dead world.
Think about it.
“Not until the creation and maintenance of decent conditions of life for all men are recognized and accepted as a common obligation of all men and all countries—not until then shall we, with a certain degree of justification, be able to speak of mankind as civilized.”
Albert Einstein
Creation and maintenance of decent conditions of life for all mankind. It is something I don’t think man can do on his own.
I look around the world and I see, greed, and hatred in abundance. I look at the poor suffering souls in Africa that are suffering through Ebola and I ask myself, why.
If man is so evolved why isn’t he caring for his fellow man. Why are many in Africa and around the world living in shanty towns with poor sanitation, little food, and almost no medical care?
Some economist years ago once told me if only half of the money spent on the militaries around the world, were spent on the poor of the world, we’d end poverty.
I truly believe man has what the bible calls a sin nature. He has a tendency to think of himself first. Wars, and crime are examples of that.
Not only that but we in the west who could be a major player in ending poverty are not doing all we could do to eliminate it.
I am convinced the majority of people in the world want all wars to end. Want to see and end to poverty. Yet those in political power refuse to take action.
Some in power in parts of the world are even being counter productive and sowing hate among those they control.
It is my view that those in power will do little to help the poor either in their own country or around the world.
What the world need is for it’s leaders and those in power be it in government or in private industry to turn to God. To turn to the fundamental beliefs of Christianity, of Love for God, ones neighbours, and even ones enemies.
James talking to Christians said,
“Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?”
James 2:15,16.
The Talmud tells this story,
“Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?” He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.”
The Talmud.
Sadly because of man’s Avarice, hatred, and lust for power we do not have a household of love.
We are all related on this planet. Whether you believe we come from a mutated chunk of protoplasm or are son’s of Adam. We are all related. We should all be willing to do what we can to help our fellow man.
In an earlier blog post I quoted something else from the Talmud that said,
“When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?” Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual? “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
The Talmud.
Sadly I believe many people in power be it political, corporate or even religious power, have not dealt honourably with their fellow man.
Especially throughout the twentieth century and into the opening years of this century. Governments have spent uncounted billions to make war. While the so called democratic and peace loving people of the war have been forced to spend uncounted billions on weapons in a vain attempt to end wars, hatred and poverty.
Man cannot do it alone. I’m afraid left to his own devices man will wipe himself out.
Without God’s direct intervention in history, Darwin’s theory of evolution may be proven correct because it will be a case of survival of the fittest, and the fittest will be the most vicious. A man or woman standing alone in a dead world.
Think about it.
The Wisdom of God
The Wisdom of God
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18-24
The way in which Jesus came to this earth in man’s terms at least seems odd.
Jesus was not born in a King’s palace where he could have exercised great influence. Instead he was born to simple parents who were devout believers.
Being devout believers his parents would have taught him the tenants of their and his faith.
Also as I see it, growing up as an average person Jesus experienced everything it was to be a man.
Wealthy people as good as most may be, quite often don’t understand what it is to be poor and live from hand to mouth.
Jesus as he was growing up must have seen the poor around him. He certainly understood what it was like for the average person on the street. He understood the temptations of the average person. He would also have seen any oppression.
It would have been counter productive for him to grow up in a wealthy family with all of the worldly comforts, if he was to judge the world.
No one standing before Jesus can ever say, “You don’t understand what it is to be in my position, to be poor or average.” because he does. He lived as an ordinary person as most of the population lived.
He can also look at the rich and powerful on that day of judgement and say “you could have done more. You had to power to change the lives of the poor and needy.”
Paul also says,
“Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”
There are a lot of sceptics in the world with regard to Christ and God. There are a lot of unbelievers who simply can’t or won’t take an open and honest look at the Bible. Who wont read even just the New Testament.
Some people will admit Jesus is a good man. But they can’t make that leap of faith and say he is the Son of God.
Many people of faith, don’t believe God would allow Jesus to go to the cross.
The crucifixion for me, shows in human terms just how far God would go to reconcile man to himself.
He is saying I love you so much I would die for you.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:6-8.
It takes a leap of faith to believe in Jesus but Christ is waiting for all who would believe with outstretched hands. All we have to say is I believe.
Think about it.
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18-24
The way in which Jesus came to this earth in man’s terms at least seems odd.
Jesus was not born in a King’s palace where he could have exercised great influence. Instead he was born to simple parents who were devout believers.
Being devout believers his parents would have taught him the tenants of their and his faith.
Also as I see it, growing up as an average person Jesus experienced everything it was to be a man.
Wealthy people as good as most may be, quite often don’t understand what it is to be poor and live from hand to mouth.
Jesus as he was growing up must have seen the poor around him. He certainly understood what it was like for the average person on the street. He understood the temptations of the average person. He would also have seen any oppression.
It would have been counter productive for him to grow up in a wealthy family with all of the worldly comforts, if he was to judge the world.
No one standing before Jesus can ever say, “You don’t understand what it is to be in my position, to be poor or average.” because he does. He lived as an ordinary person as most of the population lived.
He can also look at the rich and powerful on that day of judgement and say “you could have done more. You had to power to change the lives of the poor and needy.”
Paul also says,
“Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”
There are a lot of sceptics in the world with regard to Christ and God. There are a lot of unbelievers who simply can’t or won’t take an open and honest look at the Bible. Who wont read even just the New Testament.
Some people will admit Jesus is a good man. But they can’t make that leap of faith and say he is the Son of God.
Many people of faith, don’t believe God would allow Jesus to go to the cross.
The crucifixion for me, shows in human terms just how far God would go to reconcile man to himself.
He is saying I love you so much I would die for you.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:6-8.
It takes a leap of faith to believe in Jesus but Christ is waiting for all who would believe with outstretched hands. All we have to say is I believe.
Think about it.
Saturday, 3 January 2015
Love
Love
“Give of yourself, give as much as you can? And you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness! If everyone were to do this and not be as mean with a kindly word, then there would be much more justice and love in the world. Give and you shall receive, much more than you would have ever thought possible. Give, give again and again, don’t lose courage, keep it up and go on giving! No one has ever become poor from giving!” Anne Frank
Anne Frank knew what it was to experience love and hate. She experienced the love of those who hid her from the Nazis in occupied Holland at the risk of their own lives. And, unfortunately she experienced the hate of the Nazis that captured her and sent her to a death camp.
As I look at the news today I see youth killing youth for virtually no reason at all. I see the hate of terrorist groups around the world, killing innocent men, women and children.
I see hate on the streets of cities in the United States because the police officers got off after killing two black men and “system” let the families down.
At the same time I am reminded of a speech by Martin Luther King jr. who said,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.
Such a definition of love is something even non-Christians can agree on. It is what the world needs.
Personally I cannot see mankind on its own filling the world with love.
While there are many, almost undoubtedly the majority of people in the world want love to reign, the minority bent of violence, the lust for power, and evils in all its forms seem to be winning the day.
That’s why I firmly believe there is a need for people to look to Christ and the love and hope he offers.
It was Jesus who said, love God, your neighbour, and even your enemy. He even called on us to pray for those who persecute us.
And in this world that seems to be slowly spiralling out of control he says,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
Think about it.
“Give of yourself, give as much as you can? And you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness! If everyone were to do this and not be as mean with a kindly word, then there would be much more justice and love in the world. Give and you shall receive, much more than you would have ever thought possible. Give, give again and again, don’t lose courage, keep it up and go on giving! No one has ever become poor from giving!” Anne Frank
Anne Frank knew what it was to experience love and hate. She experienced the love of those who hid her from the Nazis in occupied Holland at the risk of their own lives. And, unfortunately she experienced the hate of the Nazis that captured her and sent her to a death camp.
As I look at the news today I see youth killing youth for virtually no reason at all. I see the hate of terrorist groups around the world, killing innocent men, women and children.
I see hate on the streets of cities in the United States because the police officers got off after killing two black men and “system” let the families down.
At the same time I am reminded of a speech by Martin Luther King jr. who said,
We thank thee, O God, for the spiritual nature of man.
We are in nature but we live above nature.
Help us never to let anybody or
any condition pull us so low as to cause us to hate.
Give us strength to love our enemies and to do good
to those who despitefully use us and persecute us
We thank thee for thy Church,
founded upon thy Word, that challenges us to do more
than sing and pray, but go out and work as though
the very answer to our prayers depended on us and not upon thee.
Then, finally, help us to realize that man was created to shine like stars and live on through all eternity.
Keep us, we pray, in perfect peace;
help us to walk together, pray together, sing together,
and live together until that day when all God’s children,
Black, White, Red, and Yellow will rejoice
in one common bond of humanity in the kingdom
of our LORD and of our God, we pray.
Amen.
Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The apostle Paul wrote of Love,“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.
Such a definition of love is something even non-Christians can agree on. It is what the world needs.
Personally I cannot see mankind on its own filling the world with love.
While there are many, almost undoubtedly the majority of people in the world want love to reign, the minority bent of violence, the lust for power, and evils in all its forms seem to be winning the day.
That’s why I firmly believe there is a need for people to look to Christ and the love and hope he offers.
It was Jesus who said, love God, your neighbour, and even your enemy. He even called on us to pray for those who persecute us.
And in this world that seems to be slowly spiralling out of control he says,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
Think about it.
The Anvil
The Anvil
Kenneth Scott Latourette, former President of American Historic Society
In A History of Christianity wrote of Christ,
“It is evidence of His importance, of the effect that He has had upon history and presumably, of the baffling mystery of His being that no other life ever lived on this planet has evoked so huge a volume of literature among so many people and languages, and that, far from ebbing, the flood continues to mount.”
“As the centuries pass by, the evidence is accumulating that measured by its effect on history, Jesus is the most influential life ever lived on this planet. The influence appears to be mounting.”
“No other life lived on this planet has so widely and deeply affected mankind.”
The book of acts records that when some disciples of Jesus were put on trial for preaching the gospel a wise man a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law stood up and said,
“Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
Acts 5:38,39.
Christianity has stood the test of time. It has gone out from ancient Israel and spread to the entire world. Two thousand years later it is the largest religion in the world. At this writing there are about two point two billion Christians in the world and the numbers are growing.
Dictators, and armies have done their best to stamp it out yet it continues to grow. For me that is evidence that it is from God.
Think about it.
The Anvil of God’s Word
“Last eve I passed beside a blacksmith’s door,
And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime;
Then, looking in, I saw upon the floor
Old hammers, worn with beating years of time.
“How many anvils have you had,” said I,
“To wear and batter all these hammers so?”
“Just one,” said he, and then, with twinkling eye,
The anvil wears the hammers out, you know.”
And so, thought I, the anvil of God’s Word,
For ages sceptic blows have beat upon;
Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard,
The anvil is unharmed - and hammers gone.”
Anonymous.
Throughout the centuries many men have come against Christianity. Many have said Christianity will one day fall. Yet today it continues to grow even in countries where it is horribly oppressed.Kenneth Scott Latourette, former President of American Historic Society
In A History of Christianity wrote of Christ,
“It is evidence of His importance, of the effect that He has had upon history and presumably, of the baffling mystery of His being that no other life ever lived on this planet has evoked so huge a volume of literature among so many people and languages, and that, far from ebbing, the flood continues to mount.”
“As the centuries pass by, the evidence is accumulating that measured by its effect on history, Jesus is the most influential life ever lived on this planet. The influence appears to be mounting.”
“No other life lived on this planet has so widely and deeply affected mankind.”
The book of acts records that when some disciples of Jesus were put on trial for preaching the gospel a wise man a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law stood up and said,
“Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
Acts 5:38,39.
Christianity has stood the test of time. It has gone out from ancient Israel and spread to the entire world. Two thousand years later it is the largest religion in the world. At this writing there are about two point two billion Christians in the world and the numbers are growing.
Dictators, and armies have done their best to stamp it out yet it continues to grow. For me that is evidence that it is from God.
Think about it.
Friday, 2 January 2015
Jesus in the Words of Others
Jesus in the words of Others
Napoleon said,
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
“I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel. Neither history nor humanity, nor ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary.”
Napoleon Bonaparte,
C.S. Lewis wrote,
“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
What do you think about Jesus?
Think about it.
The following is not my work but rather a famous poem by Dr James Allan Francis © 1926. It’s called,
One Solitary Life
He was born in an obscure village
The child of a peasant woman
He grew up in another obscure village
Where he worked in a carpenter shop
Until he was thirty when public opinion turned against him
He never wrote a book
He never held an office
He never went to college
He never visited a big city
He never travelled more than two hundred miles
From the place where he was born
He did none of the things
Usually associated with greatness
He had no credentials but himself
He was only thirty three
His friends ran away
One of them denied him
He was turned over to his enemies
And went through the mockery of a trial
He was nailed to a cross between two thieves
While dying, his executioners gambled for his clothing
The only property he had on earth
When he was dead
He was laid in a borrowed grave
Through the pity of a friend
Nineteen centuries have come and gone
And today Jesus is the central figure of the human race
And the leader of mankind's progress
All the armies that have ever marched
All the navies that have ever sailed
All the parliaments that have ever sat
All the kings that ever reigned put together
Have not affected the life of mankind on earth
As powerfully as that one solitary life
Dr James Allan Francis
Napoleon said,
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
“I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel. Neither history nor humanity, nor ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary.”
Napoleon Bonaparte,
C.S. Lewis wrote,
“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
What do you think about Jesus?
Think about it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)