Monday, December 12, 2011

onward, Christian Soldier!

my dear Christian Soldier,
have you ever had a doubt?
or is virtue what's guiding you
to sit, and frown, and shout?

could it be your heart's unsettled
at the things you preach?
might the pledge of "faith alone"
be a little out of reach?

our world's two thousand years removed
from Mary, James and Paul.
your friends are asking whether those folks
ever lived at all.

if that thought hurts your comfort zone,
then this one might explode it:
your neighbours haven't read the Bible;
don't even know who wrote it.

...do you?

you weren't there when Earth was formed;
never saw Christ with your eyes.
didn't help Luke write it down;
haven't seen a dead guy rise.

how DO you know your Bible is
The Book of Authority?
are you SURE Creation happened
in one week... literally?

if these questions irk you,
here's a good way to get even:
DON'T shake your head, walk away
and say, "you need prayer, heathen."

doubt is not the enemy;
it's here to challenge you!
do some research -- look around --
discover what is true!

tell me, which worldview best explains
mankind's depravity?
his conscience?  need for song and art?
respect for charity?

get to know Science.  he's a friend
of those who wish to know
how old the rings of Saturn are;
how peacock feathers grow.

"childlike faith" ain't mindless:
it asks until it knows.
then, once hard work yields its fruit,
you'll have a peace that shows.

now onward, Christian Soldier!
rise up and take a look.
you've quite the task ahead of you...
it's time to hit the books!

...will you?























(you've probably guessed by now... this letter is addressed to me)

there are lots more letters here.

8 comments:

  1. lovely, and powerful.

    we all need reminders, even if they come from ourselves.

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  2. nice...doubt is def not the enemy though that is what i was taught for years...

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  3. I like this challenge. We never have to be afraid to ask questions. There is a difference between questioning and asking questions. The Bible can stand on its own two feet! It can defend itself! Thanks for the encouragement.

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  4. "childlike faith" ain't mindless:
    it asks until it knows.
    then, once hard work yields its fruit,
    you'll have a peace that shows.

    onward christian soldier... i join you in the fight... and i miss you like crazy, as always.

    ReplyDelete