I recall the line from Luther’s great hymn, “A Mighty Fortress.” When speaking of our adversary, whom I need not name, it boldly proclaims, “A single word shall fell him.” It goes on to say, “That Word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them abideth…” etc.
A single word is indeed powerful, particularly if that Word, is Jesus.
It also true, however, that as James says: “But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:8). Thus, I personally found it unfortunate that with a single slip of the tonge J.K.Rowling chose to declare one of her major characters in her children’s books’ series, to be “Gay.” A single word will delight many who would call it an introduction of reality, while others, myself included, will simply see it as setting into the magical world of children the political games of adults. Why can children not be children?
I recall my conversion into Orthodoxy, and my 10 and 6 year-old asking many questions. I could speak of the Orthodox Church, and a little of our leaving Anglicanism. I could not mention the sexual scandals and false teachings on sexuality that were beginning to abound simply because I refused to have my first such discussions with my children over such an intimate subject disturbed by the proclivities and politics of others.
But the world of children has always had its intruders. A single word, a question asked, and a blessed naivety ends, to be replaced with this mortal battle we all face day to day. I do not mean to be harsh here – just to note the sadness of a world in which children are less and less children and more and more a market, a political chess piece on someone’s board.
May the Word of God keep us all, and the children above all.
Leave a Reply