Those Maniacs!!

I am currently reading a wonderful little book called "Orthodoxy" by this guy named G. K. Chesterton. It was published in 1908 and it has not been doctored to fit the language of now. This is good. There are many classics out there which have been changed for "easy reading" but it esentially santizes the text into boring and somewhat less awe inspiring language. It is sad really. There are a few that have been santized by taking out basically all of the miraculous and nearly unbelievable accounts in order to fit current religous doctrine. I think that is so sad.

So note to all - when buying a christian classic, make sure you find the one that has not been doctored. I should copy a little tid-bit from the editor of another classic I have. He goes on a raging rant against publishers who "santize" and I have never in my life seen such strong language used in an 'uppity' classic work. It is wonderful!! The one that I am referring to is a collection of Madam Guyon's works. One being her autobiography and the other being a little book she wrote called "Experiencing Christ". It is nothing short of astounding what she writes. I have recommended it to others and they made the mistake of purchasing the mass market version and it really is shocking to see how they have changed the text from something that will literally take your breath away to something that is boring, lifeless words. So sad.

Anyway, I picked up this book called "Orthodoxy". It was written by an intellectual at the time and he set out to create his own belief system. He was completely against religion because he thought he was beyond that and when he was finished writing up his little belief system, he found he had Orthodox Christianity and he quickly gave his life to Christ.

His version of Orthodox Christianity is much different then what you or I would initially think of when the word "orthodox" is used. His writing is hilarious and full of life. And it is stinging in his rebuttles of his anti-christian critics and those who thought religion was a bunch of junk compared to the science of the time.

I just finished the first chapter which he devotes completely to explaining how there is no different between the athiest and an insane person, or as he refers to them constantly, a "maniac". It's a lovely little chapter full of incredible logic that has made me stop and laugh because you just can't get around it.

I thought I'd include a little bit that he wrote concerning people who would claim that they are a new christ or start a new religion... as he says, "a madman who would call himself Christ."

"So you are the Creator and Redeemer of the world: but what a small world it must be! What a little heaven you must inhabit, with angels no bigger that butterflies! How sad it must be to be God; and an inadequate God! Is there really no life fuller and no love more marvelous then yours; and is it really in your small and painful pity that all flesh must put its faith? How much happier you would be, how much more of you there would be, if the hammer of a higher God could smash your small cosmos, scattering the stars like spangles, and leave you in the open, free like other men to look up as well as down!"

I loved that. This whole book, so far, is full of little bits like that. Quite an interesting read so far.

But now, I think I'll take advantage of the sun and go read Mr. Bible for a while on the back patio, prepare for a few little meetings this week and soak up some amazing sun-rays! And then tonight is The Flood... wonderful Flood.