Those politicians and liberals who insist on ignoring the real dangers in this world must create monsters almost out of the morning fog in order to have a reason for existing. According to an editorial by Kathleen Parker in today's Knoxville News Sentinel, their latest discovery as an enemy is the group they have called the Christianists. New books are attacking the emerging Christian theocracy. According to them, the Christianists are taking over our government. These Christianists are are compared to the Muslim extremists and are to be attacked with all vigor. Now, I admit that there are some groups that would like this kind of power (like the Christian Reconstructionists). But wanting power and getting it are two different things. And, let's give a little credit to these guys. I think some of them have far exceeded their handle on reality, but they are not flying airplanes into buildings or blowing themselves up in Walmarts. Neither do they have any major chunk of political power. Probably their largest legacy will be to bring persecution on the Christians of this country faster than it would have come otherwise. But I am willing to let God be in charge of that as well.
The following is an excerpt from Soldiers in Training by Brother Daryl Coats.
The following is an excerpt from Soldiers in Training by Brother Daryl Coats.
In 1513, Nicolo Machiavelli wrote the all-time classic on power politics; a book called "The Prince." Early in this book, Machiavelli gives warnings to those who would conquer another nation. Those who change their rulers willingly hope to better themselves. However, the new ruler must burden the people with "soldiery and with infinite other hardships" in order to keep his conquest. "In this way you have enemies in all those whom you have injured in seizing that principality, and you are not able to keep those friends who put you there because of your not being able to satisfy them in the way they expected, and you cannot take strong measures against them, feeling bound to them. For, although one may be very strong in armed forces, yet in entering a province one has always need of the goodwill of the natives." Perhaps our rulers should go back and read this old classic once again.
Years ago, I read a tract that claimed to be the story of Charles Darwin turning to God on his deathbed. Later, I read that this story was a myth and that it certainly did not occur. Since I have seen such gullibility in Christians before, I assumed that this was the final word. However, in an article by John Morris, it seems that the truth is just not known. The woman who told the story of Darwin's conversion (Lady Hope) was a real person who was a serious Christian and who was close friends with Darwin's wife. Although we cannot prove that Charles Darwin trusted in Christ as Saviour before he died, but we do know that he allowed a church to meet on his property and that he had his windows left open so when they met so he could hear the hymns being sung. We should never underestimate the power of the simple gospel of Jesus Christ.
