Recently, we’ve had clashes in the
streets of Minnesota and Oregon. We attacked Venezuela and captured their
dictator. We attacked terrorist sights in Syria and Somalia. We’re talking
about attacking Iran and toppling the government. And taking Greenland by
force. We’re threatening Cuba as well. All sorts of social, political, and
economic action taking place, some apart from the normal checks and balances
built into our system. Where are we headed with all this?
Theodore Roosevelt said walk softly and carry a big stick. I don’t think he meant we should be surprising and smashing. And I don’t think this is what when Ronald Reagan meant when he talked about peace through strength.
Yes, the Pax Romana of 27 B.C. to 180 A.D., with its relative peace, prosperity, new roads, and a common language, helped Christianity to spread. But I don’t think that’s what’s happening in today’s world. Some believe that we are called to implement a sort of Christian hegemony. But are we following Jesus down the narrow road? Or travelling down the totalitarian trail?
