This op-ed in the New York Times has me worried. I am worried because I know a lot of people who are so convinced that government is the cause of all the problems in their lives, they tread into the ground that the editorialist describes. I am worried because, to a degree, I share some economic views, some social views, and even some political concerns with the “nuts” the editorialist writes about.
The Fearlessness of Sharing
A recent discussion in a class at George Wythe University was revolving around what can be done if the economy becomes very terrible, if unemployment hits 40%, if hunger and pain surround us for a time. Ideas like getting out of debt and storing up commodities were brought up as preparation. However, the idea that struck us most was spiritual readiness to do the following in 1 Kings 17:
Turn the Other Cheek? Are you Serious?
This was originally posted by the author at The Idealist.
Leo Tolstoy is perhaps the ultimate example of the late-in-life nihilist-turned-idealist. He is best known for his mid-life fiction, most notably War and Peace and Anna Karenina. He was early on somewhat of a determinist and nihilist but late in life began a study of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and came away a determined Christian, with significant misgivings regarding the Russian orthodox church specifically and organized religion and government generally. He wrote his thoughts in two books that were significantly suppressed by the Russian Church and the Czarist government.