January 23, 2005
"We were unable to forget about our war-time experience because it had been illuminating. We had learnt that world wars, which in pre-August 1914 Britain and America had appeared to be 'ancient history', were after all a terrible living reality. Of our British contemporaries who had been combatants, at least half had lost their lives; and there was no guarantee that the terrible catastrophe of 1914-1918 would not recur. That would depend on how well or how badly the governments and the peoples of the World were going to handle the international problems of the post-war period, for after the war it was no longer a tenable thesis that international affairs were the concern of state departments and foreign offices exclusively." (Arnold Toynbee, Experiences, p61)
Typing these words some 91 years after the beginning of the events above it seems almost impossible to believe that people pre 1914 thought that war was the impossible event. In fact to many folks war seems simply a prelude to the end times, for after all it was Jesus who said (Luke 21:9 and parallel passages in Matthew and Mark) "When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately." Too many of us decide if that's the case, why do anything to stop it? And also if we can keep it "over there" and not involving any of our own people, what difference does it really make? We found out in 2001 that it can't be kept away from our doors.
As WW2 was drawing to a close H.E. Fosdick sounded the same theme. I don't have the space to quote it here but the import is that we must win the peace. Again we began with high hopes, through the United Nations and supported by the Christians and all peace loving people around the world, that peace and justice would be established and prevail. This we know has not happened. As we try to make and keep peace we have forgotten the most important essential "Seek ye first the Kingdom (rule) of God and his righteousness and all these things, (the necessities of life) will be given to you." (Matthew 6:25-33)
Click here for past weeks Thoughts!