evil(2/7)
We underestimate the power of evil
Revelation, one of the most badly interpreted and misunderstood books of the Bible, contains the key to why most present-day Christians are overwhelmed by the culture and the world around us: we underestimate the intensity and power of evil–both outside and inside of us.
Wickedness is more noticable than goodness
[Reynie said] “I see things differently now, and it’s… bothering me, I suppose.” Mr. Benedict gazed at Reynie, stroking a bristly patch on his chin that he’d missed with his razor. He exhaled through his lumpy nose. “Since your mission, you mean?” Reynie nodded. “You mean to say,” said Mr. Benedict after reflecting a moment, “That you’re disturbed by the wickedness of which so many people seem capable. My brother, for example, but also his Executives, his henchmen, the other students at the Institute–”…
List of systemic evils
I’ve run into so many examples of systemic evil in the last couple years, from racism to poverty, that I don’t want to forget. So this is where I’ll store them. Financial Inequality Tax Evasion - Trusts 💬 Thanks to Janklow, Citibank and other major companies came to South Dakota to dodge the restrictions imposed by the other 49 states. And so followed the explosion in consumer finance that has transformed the US and the world.…
Evil seems fair and feels foul
You have frightened me several times tonight, but never in the way that servants of the Enemy would, or so I imagine. I think of of his spies would–well, seem fairer and feel fouler, if you understand. (Frodo speaking with Strider about trusting him, though they’ve only just met.)
His power is shown in the division of all who oppose him
Indeed in nothing is the power of the Dark Lord more clearly shown than in the estrangement that divides all those who still oppose him. (Haldir in explanation to Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli why they are treated with distrust in Lothlórien.)
In darkness and loneliness they are strongest
And in any case that is not their way. In dark and loneliness they are strongest; they will not openly attack a house where there are lights and many people–not until they are desperate, not while all the long leagues of Eriador still lie before us. But their power is in terror, and already some in Bree are in their clutch. They will drive these wretches to some evil work: Ferny, and some of the strangers, and, maybe, the gatekeeper too.…
Questionnaire
1. How much poison are you willing to eat for the success of the free market and global trade? Please name your preferred poisons. 2. For the sake of goodness, how much evil are you willing to do? Fill in the following blanks with the names of your favorite evils and acts of hatred. 3. What sacrifices are you prepared to make for culture and civilization? Please list the monuments, shrines, and works of art you would most willingly destroy.…
The Risk of Birth
This is no time for a child to be born, With the earth betrayed by war & hate And a comet slashing the sky to warn That time runs out & the sun burns late. That was no time for a child to be born, In a land in the crushing grip of Rome; Honour & truth were trampled by scorn- Yet here did the Saviour make his home. When is the time for love to be born?…
What is sin
I’ve heard that the common definition of sin is “to miss the mark.” There’s a target, a perfect legal standard, and when we fail to live up to the standard we’ve committed sin. But is that accurate? There are two strikes against this definition. First, the word is introduced in Genesis 4:7, not as a legal requirement, but on analogy to a wild animal crouching before Cain, ready to pounce and kill him.…