A fictional conversation from the first century A.D.
Stefanus: What is the harm in recognizing the absolute authority of Caesar?
Gratian: I would be telling a lie. The emperor is under King Jesus.
Stefanus: Keep your voice down. Do you realize what you are saying?
Gratian: I will answer to King Jesus. So will you. And so will Caesar.
Stefanus: You dare challenge the ultimate authority of the Empire? Can’t you see the progress of history? Are you so blind… to ignore that history is moving in Caesar’s direction? Recent surveys show that people are not putting up with you and your silly ideas… your simpleminded way of life.
Gratian: I don’t follow Jesus because He is popular, but because He saved me.
Stefanus: Think logically for a moment about this Jesus of yours and what he taught.
- He said he was the Savior, but anyone can see that Caesar is the one in whom we have security.
- He said we should love our enemies, but anyone can see that we should favor our friends and punish our opponents.
Gratian: What are you saying then?
Stefanus: That Jesus is obviously on the wrong side of history. The world is moving forward and you are stuck in the past following the bizarre teachings of a Jewish leader. Recant your strange beliefs! Or at least stay quiet about them.
Gratian: I cannot, and I will not. I do not see history the same way you do.
Stefanus: Why not?
Gratian: No matter how confident you are that history is moving in an upward progression and that the Roman Empire will expand across the earth and lead all to eternal peace and harmony, you are wrong. The kingdom I belong to will outlast the Empire, despite the appearances.
Stefanus: How do you know this?
Gratian: Because my King came back from the dead. And the One who defeats death is the One who defines history.
No comments:
Post a Comment