|
|
|
The Word's Eye View is a newspaper column written by
The Circle of History When I was a boy (a very long time ago) I delighted in books. I developed a bond of friendship with them, especially tales of adventure which featured stories of independence, imagination, self-reliance and the overcoming of great obstacles. The chronicles of the early mountain men, pioneers and settlers were particularly intriguing. When a circumstance of impossible odds was presented, it was always fascinating to imagine what I would have done in a similar scenario. More than one youngster was so spellbound by the Robinson Crusoes of literature that sleep finally captured them with the company of a book and flashlight under the covers. Schoolyards across America were often privy to youthful conversations about the trailblazers who were presented on the printed page. Eyes gleamed when the consumers of these dramas considered what great deeds they might accomplish with their Daisy rifles. Our parents’ generation fought a horrific war to preserve our right to dream of individual heroics and accomplishment. When they chose to impart information to us about that wretched conflict, it was usually to make a point about the necessity of victory. We played Little League baseball with the complete understanding that there would be winners and losers. We did not expect a trophy for defeat. Even as the greatest generation won the war, their children went on to construct the greatest economy in the world, an economy built upon principles of individual achievement. As a matter of practical curiosity, I wonder what book titles future adolescents may look to for inspiration. The imagination runs wild with possibilities… When Charlton Heston led ancient Israel from Egyptian bondage to freedom, God instituted a form of government for the pilgrims of the wilderness. It would be most closely likened to a republic. When someone asked Benjamin Franklin what kind of government our forefathers had forged for the colonialists, he answered, “A republic, if you can keep it.” This “in God we trust” style of administration worked well for 400 years when the Hebrew nation followed the basic guidelines. In due season, human nature being what it is, the people voted for change and demanded a king. They had observed neighboring nations and desired to emulate the larger government approach. The idea of the king furnishing cradle to grave provisions was a magic lure that few fish could resist. The prophet Samuel issued a stern warning concerning the consequences of such a shift. His lecture testified that the king would eventually control the entire economy, and all of the population would become subservient to his will. (I Samuel 8) Nevertheless, the ballots were cast for the king. The transition was gradual to the extent that, to the uninformed, it was imperceptible. Eighty years later when Solomon entered the “White House” things were dramatically different. The emphasis was then on one man (the king) and his alleged accomplishments. Large government was firmly entrenched, and Samuel’s words had found complete fulfillment. Perhaps the greater tragedy in the epilogue is from that point forward personal heroics disappear in the narrative of the Scriptures. Kings and government become the primary theme. There are no more Moses’ or Joshua’s, Gideon’s or Samson’s. David’s dealing with the Goliath’s had come to a sad conclusion. Individualism had been successfully eradicated in favor of a one size fits all fascism. This form of misguided nationalism ultimately observed them caving in to Babylonian captivity. The circles of history demonstrate populaces leaving bondage only to return as a dog to the same vomit. The only champions during the span of the subjugation were the prophets who cried out against the abuses of monarchs and mortals. Jesus even indicated they were frequently vilified and hated for their voices of protest. (Matthew 5:12; 23:31) On the contemporary scene after whom should I encourage my grandchildren to pattern their thinking…big time steroid injected athletes negotiating for obscene contracts or the Hollywood types basking in ridiculous life styles or corrupt politicians who have asked these children to pay a debt they did not incur? I wonder if the pay czar has his crosshairs on those groups? I trow not! Methinks David and Robinson Crusoe will serve them well!
|