Biting the Hand That Feeds Us

Biting the Hand That Feeds Us

"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of
courage; be strong."1

As reported by Chuck Colson in BreakPoint, a recent
commencement speaker at Georgetown University, a
Catholic school, was Francis Cardinal Arinze, the head
of the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Interreligious
Dialogue. In his address Cardinal Arinze told the
graduating students that "happiness is found not in
the pursuit of material wealth or pleasures of the
flesh, but by fervently adhering to religious
beliefs."

He also stressed the importance of the family stating
that "in many parts of the world, the family is under
siege" saying that "an anti-life mentality [is seen]
in contraception, abortion, infanticide, and
euthanasia." And that the family is "scorned and
banalized by pornography, desecrated by fornication
and adultery, mocked by homosexuality, sabotaged by
irregular unions, and cut in two by divorce."

And as Chuck Colson said, "Well, that's a very
Catholic message one might expect from a Catholic
cardinal. But it proved too much for many in the
audience. Teresa Sanders, a professor of theology,
left the stage during Arinze's remarks. Seventy other
faculty members signed a letter to the dean protesting
what one of them called Arinze's 'wildly inappropriate'
remarks. Really? As a result, the dean apologized for
the Cardinal's remarks and the 'hurt' they caused."2

While I don't think too many Christians are against
contraception for married couples who take family
planning seriously, everything else stated by Cardinal
Arinze is certainly Catholic, Christian, and biblical.
The opposition from the faculty is alarming for at
least two reasons, not the least of which is because
of the intolerance of another's point of view that
differed from their own in a place of higher learning
where every view is, supposedly, to be given a
hearing. It seems today in the West that every
religion and every message except Christianity is
tolerated. This is even of greater concern when this
happens in a Christian educational center.

Even more alarming is the opposition of the faculty of
a Catholic school who are opposed to some of the basic
tenets of the Catholic and Christian faith. One
wonders at their ethics in that they are teaching in a
school where they disagree with its foundational
principles. Why don't they teach in a secular school?

And why is it that those who reject and oppose
Christianity don't leave a country--that was founded
on Christian values--to live in a pagan land?

Far too many today want the benefits, blessings, and
privileges that are based on and built upon
Judeo-Christian values, but don't want to accept the
responsibilities that guarantee its continuance.
Furthermore, they reject the very values that are the
foundation of a free society. In doing so they reject
the source of the benefits they enjoy. In other words,
they're biting the hand that feeds them--the hand of
God!

We cannot have it both ways. We either accept God's
directives or go our own way. And whatever we sow we
will reap--even if it is eventually.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me in the
midst of the ever-increasing pressure to be
'politically correct' to stand firm with my feet
placed solidly on your Word--the principles of which
are eternal and will endure forever. Thank you for
hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus'
name, amen."

1. 1 Corinthians 16:13 (NIV).
2. Chuck Colson on "BreakPoint." www.breakpoint.org

<:))))><

Copyright (c) 2009 by ACTS International.

When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2009
ACTS International.

What do you think about this?

Blessings on Ya!
Pastor Kitner