This is just about the oldest hand-written compendium of gospels in the world. It's the 5th Century Palimpsest Codex, written in Syriac and kept in the scriptorium of St. Catherine's Monastery at the foot of Mt. Sinai. It's stored under glass and I was about 20 inches away from it when I took this picture.
The scriptures are sacred to the followers of Christ. They tell us how to live.
Whether the followers of Jesus live in a monarchy, under the authority of a tribal chief or in an industrialized nation, the Bible informs their way. If Christians live in a free republic, under a communist regime, in a concentration camp, under the heel of a dictator or in a capitalist society, the Bible tells them how to live.
So, don't wonder if you can live as a Christian in a socialist society. Of course you can. Don't bother to ask if you can still live for Christ when you're subject to a communist system of control. Many have, and many still do.
The question you should be asking is, "Since I'm going to live for Jesus, what kind of society, what kind of government, would I prefer?"
As an American citizen, you have a vote. You get to decide, and you better get on it.
You better get busy.
If you don't shape the society, someone else will. And if you let others take away your freedom, your property and your Bible, you'll find yourself following Christ in a culture of fear, tyranny and persecution. I've seen it. It's possible to follow Christ under such circumstances. (The Bible says many have, because they had no other option.) But given the choice, who would choose governmental control over personal liberty and personal responsibility?
Would you?
Isaiah 14:3-6 - When God has given you time to recover from the abuse and trouble and harsh servitude that you had to endure, you can amuse yourselves by taking up this satire, a taunt against the king of Babylon:
Can you believe it? The tyrant is gone!
The tyranny is over!
God has broken the rule of the wicked,
the power of the bully-rulers
That crushed many people.
A relentless rain of cruel outrage
Established a violent rule of anger
rife with torture and persecution.
AMEN!
Posted by: Charlotte Lymangrover | March 23, 2010 at 11:49 AM
Is this against the healthcare reform? Lol. I'm a little confused.
Posted by: Anonymous | March 23, 2010 at 08:24 PM