Standing up to Evil

There are many differences between our country and the Europe that would not stand up to Nazi Germany, but there are also some important points of similarity.

1st, those on the right side and in authority are not willing to make a call and take decisive action, when it is clearly necessary.

2nd, although many people recognize the evil, no one with anything at stake will call it evil to its face-- they understand the implications. Real and absolute evil means real and absolute good, this touches us all and furthermore, it means we all have to touch each other-- its not just a matter of my opinion vs. yours. It isn't really because we are afraid of good personally (or at least many of the decent aren't) but rather we are afraid of good publically. Antithesis between good and evil means denying the basic goodness of men and it means dealing with evil men as bad guys-- they won't like it, they may even fight.

3rd, which leads to the third similarity. We are not only unwilling, but we are unable to make the decision. We are unable decide when someone else's business becomes my business-- to know when the screams next door merit a call to the police. We feel safer not doing anything-- and yet this can be the worst evil. We have lost our moral compass. These decisions can be hard enough to make when you know what you are about; for us they are impossible. We have to humble ourselves and turn to the Triune God, acknowledging that apart from Him there is no good. We cannot separate God from good and that means that wherever good is required, God is required-- whether it be in civil government, in education of children, in marriage, in a business deal, in a job we do, and in life and death and in all things. Only then will be know, with any confidence how to make the call. The devil will call it pride to say we are on God's side and he is on ours-- but I'd rather be with the Psalmist-- "Do I not hate them, O Lord, that hate thee?"

This is not about how wicked the wicked are-- this is about how impotent the righteous are. Terry Schiavo died today in Florida, where Jeb Bush, one of the most promising and powerful proponents of life has executive authority. We must not be like the nations that faced Nazi Germany before the war broke out-- this victory will not satisfy the enemy. After a Czechoslovakia there will be a Poland, and after Poland, a France. We're well into this war, and it's not going to get better, before it gets a lot worse. Those who hate God love death. Christ is Risen and He reigns-- let's act like it!

A Toast for Today

"A toast-- to my nephews: to the now and the hereafter: to this Sabbath and the resurrection."

Cool Stuff

Here are a few of the cool things I've been discovering as I prepare my World History I and II courses.

1. The aforementioned book and theories of David Rohl. In the US it was published as "Pharaohs and Kings: A Biblical Quest" in England as "A Test of Time: The Bible from Myth to History." There is also a video series available from the Discovery Channel, and on sale right now. Rohl is not the only one doing this kind of revision, but he's made his version of the story available on a popular level, and has also done a better job putting together a comprehensive picture, than others. "Abe" seems to be the best place to get this book-- definitely look for the British version (it's in English too).
2. Old historians-- most of you are probably familiar with Ussher's "Annals of the World" this is a nice resource for dating Biblical events and for putting them in an overall context. He has also, given us some fun and extravagant dates like that of Creation which according to Ussher began on Sunday, October 23, 4004 BC. Another history I discovered-- thanks to the fact that my friend Jamin Wight gave me two volumes from a four volume set-- is Charles Rollin-- apparently a professor at the university of Paris in the 1700's who wrote a work called "The Ancient History of the Egyptians, Carthaginians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Medes and Persians, Macedonians and Grecians." His account of the origin of the 'Grecians' is all that I've looked at very much. His approach is biblical and he draws the origins of the Greeks from the four sons of Javan.
3. Cassiodorus' "On Divine and Secular Learning" has been translated into English. Again I think "Abe" was the best price I could find.
4. "The Western Heritage" is a history textbook that I am using as a good summary and reference. It is a college textbook. I've got the 6th edition. The real kicker-- I got t complete 6th edition textbook for $2.98, plus shipping at an Amazon used book seller. Donald Kagan is one of the editors and this book, which although it is not Christian, does seem to be very even-handed in its treatment and understanding of Medieval Europe.

That's all for now. There are definitly some other great things I've found-- especially stories. Maybe I'll give you one of them later.