C I V I L I Z A T I O N ' S M O S T
W e h a v e reached an hour in the history of civil ization which I believe is one of the most crucial mankind has ever been called upon to face. W e are living in an age in which we see the accumu lative consequences of the defects inherent in human nature com ing to their climax. Today when you talk to men in the business world, the scientific world, the field of economics, politics or whatever it may be, you find that most thinking, serious-minded people agree that present circumstances are such that they cannot continue very much longer without precipitating a crisis on the greatest scale humanity has ever known. I am convinced that the solution is to be found in the application of true Christianity to the lives of individuals and nations. The world o f today is divided into two great opposing camps. In one are the individuals and na tions whose philosophy of life is wholly materialistic, who not on ly reject spiritual and moral values, but who have become openly aggressive in their repudia tion of all things that in any way recognize the sovereignty o f God, the deity of Jesus Christ and the true Christian w ay o f life. In the other camp are those who still retain at least a nominal recogni tion of spiritual and moral values. These are the remaining peoples and nations which today comprise our so-called Christian civilization. I use the word “ so-called” purposely, for one o f the great tragedies of this generation is the fact that so much of our
so-called Christian civilization is entirely undeserv ing of the name. What are w e going to do about it? It is clear that the solution lies in a return to the place where we make our professed Christianity real. When I say “ make our Christianity real,” I mean, in the first place, make it personal— take it out of the realm of mere abstract ideologies and bring it down to the basis o f a personal, heart relationship with Jesus Christ as a real living Saviour and Divine Lord. Let’s stop merely calling ourselves Christians and do the things that need to be done. Let us get the Bible down from the shelf and give the counsel of God its rightful place o f priority in our lives and homes, and in the councils of our land. In recent years, Alberta has become known inter nationally as the great oil producing Province of Canada, but every time I look at an oil well and see the pump going up and down and the oil flowing from the pipe, I say to myself, “ Some day that well will be pumped dry, but there is a cruse of oil which w ill never run dry, but which will flow on forever and ever.” W e should be anxious for people to know about that oil which in the lamp of God’s W ord produces a light that shines across the darkness of this world that men may find their way to Jesus Christ, the One W h o alone can save and W h o can solve their problems, whatever they may be. Available for distribution from the American Tract Society, 513 West 166th Street, New York 32, N.Y.
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SEPTEMBER, 1960
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