The period between the two world wars was a time of great change in the western world. German universities were the epicenter of anti-biblical thought, both religious and political The German religious and political philosophers of that day were becoming increasingly famous and renowned. However the moral vacuum they created was quickly being filled by Nazis and Marxists.
The so called "educated class" not only in Germany but all over the western world was tinkering with ways to explain our existence and purpose apart from the Holy Bible. There was nothing too outlandish or ridiculous to be considered. The only criteria was it had to contradict Christianity and the Bible. This was not unlike the philosophers the apostle Paul encountered on Mars hill. They worshiped any and every god except for the Biblical one. Anything new and provocative was much in demand. Anything that held them accountable in any way was rejected.
If it had not been for the nations like Great Briton and the United States who had not yet succumbed to an irrational preoccupation with destroying Biblical influence in their societies. Hitler and Stalin could have easily destroyed or completely dominated human civilization. The damage done by these tyrants often in the name of the poor and working class was not a product of either. The atrocities committed by Marxists and Nazis were not conceived or orchestrated in factories or on farms by the common man. They were hatched in universities and organizations within the privileged populace that were considered the avant-garde of sophisticated modern thought. This group thought they were too wise and educated to seek wisdom and knowledge from either God or the Bible. Their ignorance and foolishness cost millions their lives.
The Bible clearly teaches; the wiser men believe themselves to be the more foolish and destructive they become. Hitler and Stalin hated Biblical Christianity. Not on it's merit, but because Biblical Christianity teaches free men to govern themselves. Not only that, it teaches us leaders are subject to God and Biblical principles just like everyone else. It is not a coincidence that every tyrant in the western world, religious or secular fought to keep the Bible out of the hands of ordinary people. The same thing is done in many parts of the world today for the same reasons.
Foxe's Book Of Martyrs is an early history of Biblical Christianity's efforts to get the Bible translated into the language and into the hands of everyone no matter what their station in life. Biblical Christians were often persecuted and killed by the established church hierarchy and political despots.The reason; the Bible teaches men are to be free to seek and serve God according to the light they posses, and their own conscious. The Bible also teaches Jesus Christ is our King and the final arbiter of our fate; not the despot who disdains God's word, and is in rebellion against Him. The personal freedom as well as the religious freedom taught in the Bible is antithetical to the purposes of those who want to oppress others without being accountable to a higher authority. Whether tyrants are secular or religious, the knowledge of the Holy Bible and love of Christ is the biggest obstacle in their quest to dominate others.
It is very apparent in the study of history, and in our own time as well. The further people are removed from the knowledge of Biblical scriptures, the more likely they are to desire to be ruled and controlled by others. And the more likely they are to support and eventually suffer at the hands of dictators. There always have been and always will be those who believe themselves wiser than the God of the Bible. They view God's word as antiquated nonsense. When they gain power they in their pride and arrogance rule with ruthless cruelty. Accountable to no one.
The Apostle Paul also warned that there would be those who would adopt and use Biblical teachings while denying they came from God or the Bible. 2 Timothy 3-5 "Having a form of godliness but denying the power of it, from such turn away." Paul warned us those who did this were outwardly acceptable, but inwardly corrupt. This is where much of the western world is at today. Many in politics and education will profess their belief in religious and political freedom and claim the ideas spring forth from their own, or mankind's goodness. Some even claim to be our protectors against the tyranny of Biblical Christianity. When in fact Biblical Christianity is where our political and religious liberties originated.
I would like to challenge anyone who believes Biblical Christianity thwarts individual liberty and academic excellence to study the origins of the beliefs held by our founding fathers. Read their speeches and personal papers. Read our founding documents in their entirety. Examine the faith of those who founded the different disciplines of scientific study. Examine the faith of the scientists who's discoveries transformed and enlightened the world. Look into the faith of those who built and organized our oldest and greatest universities. Find out what faith built our first orphanages, nursing homes and looked after the mentally impaired. While your at it glance at the faith of the abolitionists here and abroad who helped end the slave trade. Read about how Biblical Christians changed the child labor laws, campaigned for a shorter work week and giving women the right to vote. ABOVE ALL READ THE BIBLE FOR YOUR SELF.
I have found the most ardent critics of the Bible are usually the most ignorant of it's content. Anyone can take a verse out of context ( either historical or Biblical ) and build a case against it's authority. Christians are mocked and the Bible misrepresented everyday by people who have no idea that the few worthy things they believe in, have their origins in the Bible. Many have a form of godliness but deny it comes from God through the Bible.. If the next generation does not know the scriptures even this will be lost. To mimic Biblical Christianity one first has to know a little about it.
There are things taught today in the highest levels of academia simply because they contradict the Bible. Even though reason, commonsense, and even science itself have proven them to be foolishness. For many their aversion to the Bible and Jesus Christ is so great they will believe, promote and defend even the most ridiculous ideas before they will admit their ignorance to God. We all have been so indoctrinated by false information about the Bible and have been taught so many stereotypes of Biblical Christians. It is easier to believe the absurd than to believe the truth.
1 Corinthians 3-18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the the wise in their own craftiness.
Many have staked their reputation and career on promoting and teaching foolishness. Usually because of self deceiving pride and love of money. Some out of a spite towards God and the Bible. Others because they love the praise of men more than the approval of God. Whatever the reason the answer is the same we need to humble ourselves before God and let Him give us a true and lasting wisdom that does not lead us or others into misery and destruction.
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