Neither Communism Or Catholicism
Clever and subtle propaganda is being scattered through various avenues and agencies, to the effect that the Catholic church is the only champion standing between free men and communism. This propaganda is accepted by the gullible. They assume that freedom of worship, of which communism would deprive them, would be granted in the event of a Catholic victory. History does not support such a wishful fantasy.
Communism, on the other hand, is exhausting all the resources it can command to propagandize against Catholicism. We would not be surprised at any time now to hear that the Communists are claiming credit for the Protestant reformation! That would be quite in line with recent policy of claiming credit for inventions and achievements far beyond the scope of their ability even to conceive, much less to produce. Both Communism and Catholicism are using every instrument at their disposal to whitewash their own sins and to paint the other as black as can be. No whitewash, however, can cover up the oppression, agony, bloodshed, and misery to millions which each system has wrought.
"Lesser" Of Two Evils?
Our purpose, however, is not to point out the faults of the two, nor to heap invectives upon them, but rather to warn against the attitude that assumes that all of us must choose "the lesser" of the two evils. Some seem to think our only choice is the one or the other. This is not the case. There is a third alternative, ones open to every Christian, in which he chooses neither of the two evils; but instead takes the sword of the Spirit (a two-edged sword), and starts swinging both ways, cutting right and left with equal vigor. That sword will do the job. We need not fear the outcome.
Choosing "the lesser" of two evils is as impossible as it is unsound. For one thing it is impossible for us to correctly appraise and rate the danger or evil. Who knows which is the lesser? And even if we did choose the lesser (assuming we could find it), is it not apparent that by our aid and assistance that "lesser" might rapidly become the "greater"? We had better realize that both systems are conceived in rebellion and founded and propagated in error. Both must be opposed with vigor.
It is not the task of the gospel preacher to analyze and evaluate every system of error that comes along that he may take sides with the one he decides to be the lesser. God's plan is for him to contend earnestly for the faith. That doesn't mean part of it, but all of it. One cannot do this and be tolerant toward error, any error. As Paul told Timothy, every gospel preacher must "preach the word, reprove, rebuke, exhort". This charge was given for the very reason that the time was foreseen when men would not endure "sound doctrine". That time has come. Many may ask, "Why preach when you know people will not endure it?" That is the wisdom of the world; the wisdom of God says, "preach the word". We are walking by faith; we are not walking by sight. If God says, "preach", that is just what we will try to do, regardless of the appearance of frailty or weakness it may have in the eyes of the world.
Illustrated By Israel And Egypt
A gospel preacher can fulfill his responsibility toward God and his fellow men without ever knowing or determining just how much truth and how much error is contained in the propaganda of these respective systems. That both are heavily loaded with falsehood is apparent. The task of sifting is an impossible one.
This same dilemma faced Israel of old. Some within Israel put their trust in Egypt for help; others felt certain Egypt could not or would not help, and were determined to muster their own resources and depend on their own small army and strength. God through Isaiah pronounced a curse upon all such. "Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, and trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek Jehovah. Yet he also is wise, and will bring evil, and will not call back his words, but will rise against the house of evildoers, and against the help of them that work iniquity. Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses are flesh, and not spirit; and when Jehovah shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall stumble, and he that is helped shall fall, and they all shall be consumed together". (Isa. 31:1-3)
Egypt was organized. It was probably the only nation that could bring organized force to bear against the Assyrians. There were those in Judah who were so fascinated by this organization that they couldn't see much in God's plan. God's promises to them must have looked mighty weak in comparison with the armies of Egypt. They failed to recognize that Egypt, for all her horses and chariots, was a broken reed that she would break and pierce the hand of any who leaned on her for support.
The same prophet, Isaiah, describes the position of these Israelites who decided to choose the "lesser" of two evils by forming an alliance with Egypt (a thing God had forbidden, but surely a lesser evil than trying to combat mighty Assyria with their own puny strength), "Woe to the rebellious children—that set out to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharoah, and to take refuge in the shadow of Egypt. Therefore shall the strength of Pharoah be your shame, and the refuge in the shadow of Egypt your confusion". (Isa. 30:1-5)
We have no inclination to set out to go to Rome to seek aid against Communism; nor have we any desire to seek the aid of Communism in our battle against the errors of Rome. Neither are we interested in enlisting the aid of Protestantism in our fight against both of these evils. The best thing the Christian can do is to stay clear of all these errors, and make no alliance with any of them. None of them has anything that the gospel preacher or any other Christian needs which he cannot find in the true church of the Lord. Instead of gaining strength by an alliance' with them we will get only shame; instead of refuge, confusion- x—0—x Many a woman believes every word her husband utters. Provided, of course, he's asleep.
—Franklin P. Jones.
—O—
Folly, as she flies, should be swatted.