So you testify that you approve of what your ancestors did; they killed the prophets, and you build their tombs. Because of this, God in his wisdom said, "I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and others they will persecute." Therefore this generation will be held responsible for the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the beginning of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be held responsible for it all. (Luke 11.48-51)
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| Paul Harvey, 1918-2009 |
Today I share the words of Paul Harvey with you. This was broadcast on American radio before any "four-letter words" were allowed on TV. Before Congress was divided solely along party lines. Before AIDS appeared. Before overcrowded prisons, Church scandals of child abuse, nation-wide lotteries, or state-sanctioned casinos. Yet his words have come true. Every one.
Notice the first target in this essay. If the Church will turn around, repent of its unforgivable sin, and turn again to Christ, there is still hope.
Paul Harvey, April 3, 1965--
If I were the prince of darkness, I would want to engulf the whole world in darkness.
I'd have a third of its real estate, and four-fifths of its population, but I would not be happy until I had seized the ripest apple on the tree-- thee. So, I would set about, however necessary, to take over the United States.
I'd subvert the churches first, and I would begin with a campaign of whispers. With the wisdom of a serpent, I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve: "Do as you please." To the young, I would whisper that the Bible is a myth. I would convince the children that man created God, instead of the other way around. I'd confide that what's bad is good and what's good is square. And the old I would teach to pray after me, "Our Father, which are in Washington ..."
Then I'd get organized, I'd educate authors in how to make lurid literature exciting, so that anything else would appear dull and uninteresting. I'd peddle narcotics to whom I could. I'd sell alcohol to ladies and gentlemen of distinction. I'd tranquilize the rest with pills.
If I were the devil, I'd soon have families at war with themselves, churches at war with themselves, and nations at war with themselves, until each, in its turn, was consumed. And with promises of higher ratings, I'd have mesmerizing media fanning the flames.
If I were the devil, I would encourage schools to refine young intellect, but neglect to discipline emotions. I'd tell teachers to let those students run wild. And before you knew it, you'd have drug-sniffing dogs and metal detectors at every schoolhouse door.
Within a decade, I'd have prisons overflowing, and judges promoting pornography. Soon, I would evict God from the courthouse, and the schoolhouse, and then from the houses of Congress. In his own churches, I would substitute psychology for religion, and deify science. I'd lure priests and pastors into misusing boys and girls and church money.
If I were the devil, I'd take from those who have, and give to those who wanted, until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious. What'll you bet I couldn't get whole states to promote gambling as the way to get rich?
I'd convince the young that marriage is old-fashioned, that swinging is more fun, and that what you see on television is the way to be. And thus, I could undress you in public, and lure you into bed with diseases for which there are no cures.
In other words, if I were the devil, I'd just keep right on doing what he's doing.
If I were the prince of darkness, I would want to engulf the whole world in darkness.
I'd have a third of its real estate, and four-fifths of its population, but I would not be happy until I had seized the ripest apple on the tree-- thee. So, I would set about, however necessary, to take over the United States.
I'd subvert the churches first, and I would begin with a campaign of whispers. With the wisdom of a serpent, I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve: "Do as you please." To the young, I would whisper that the Bible is a myth. I would convince the children that man created God, instead of the other way around. I'd confide that what's bad is good and what's good is square. And the old I would teach to pray after me, "Our Father, which are in Washington ..."
Then I'd get organized, I'd educate authors in how to make lurid literature exciting, so that anything else would appear dull and uninteresting. I'd peddle narcotics to whom I could. I'd sell alcohol to ladies and gentlemen of distinction. I'd tranquilize the rest with pills.
If I were the devil, I'd soon have families at war with themselves, churches at war with themselves, and nations at war with themselves, until each, in its turn, was consumed. And with promises of higher ratings, I'd have mesmerizing media fanning the flames.
If I were the devil, I would encourage schools to refine young intellect, but neglect to discipline emotions. I'd tell teachers to let those students run wild. And before you knew it, you'd have drug-sniffing dogs and metal detectors at every schoolhouse door.
Within a decade, I'd have prisons overflowing, and judges promoting pornography. Soon, I would evict God from the courthouse, and the schoolhouse, and then from the houses of Congress. In his own churches, I would substitute psychology for religion, and deify science. I'd lure priests and pastors into misusing boys and girls and church money.
If I were the devil, I'd take from those who have, and give to those who wanted, until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious. What'll you bet I couldn't get whole states to promote gambling as the way to get rich?
I'd convince the young that marriage is old-fashioned, that swinging is more fun, and that what you see on television is the way to be. And thus, I could undress you in public, and lure you into bed with diseases for which there are no cures.
In other words, if I were the devil, I'd just keep right on doing what he's doing.
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