06-15-2019, 08:17 PM
I was reading a book today that had two passages that I think are very relevant to today's political discourse. The book is Paul of Tarsus (a biography of the man whose many letters form the bulk of the New Testament), and it was written in 1944 by a German historian.
About 1st century pagans/Romans/today's liberals:
"To take a toy from people who have not advanced beyond their childhood, or to destroy some pet idea that fascinates them, is always dangerous. Natural people, untouched by civilization, are generally harmless until some misunderstanding awakens a hidden instinct and rouses their fury. To call their pet delusions folly is exceedingly dangerous." (155)
About 1st century Christians/today's conservative base:
"Christianity addresses all classes of society. But the faith and devotion of the lower classes will ever be the most reliable foundation for the Church. Too much intimacy with the rich produces an attitude in the Church which alienates the hearts of the poor. The common people are sensitive to the voice of the Good Shepherd, and they also have an ear for certain false undertones." (323)
About 1st century pagans/Romans/today's liberals:
"To take a toy from people who have not advanced beyond their childhood, or to destroy some pet idea that fascinates them, is always dangerous. Natural people, untouched by civilization, are generally harmless until some misunderstanding awakens a hidden instinct and rouses their fury. To call their pet delusions folly is exceedingly dangerous." (155)
About 1st century Christians/today's conservative base:
"Christianity addresses all classes of society. But the faith and devotion of the lower classes will ever be the most reliable foundation for the Church. Too much intimacy with the rich produces an attitude in the Church which alienates the hearts of the poor. The common people are sensitive to the voice of the Good Shepherd, and they also have an ear for certain false undertones." (323)