Changing Things

Before the days of Columbus and Luther, Europe was collapsing into moral and social anarchy. With no respected authority in church or state, every city and practically every household acted as its own little kingdom. As Pope Pius II observed, obedience had vanished, and both Pope and Emperor were treated as “painted objects.” Such moral chaos inevitably bred political tyranny, for lawless men cannot obey nor rightly rule. Scripture teaches, “As he thinketh in his heart, so is he” and when hearts are corrupt, society follows. No amount of authoritarian control can cure a lawless people; only the regenerating power of God can make a man a new creation. Reforms in politics, economics, and education are necessary, but they will fail without transformed hearts. Our cultural anarchy is a spiritual problem and the remedy must begin within.