One of the lies of this time is the idea that we carry the guilt of our forefathers forward. That blood guilt is racial. That certain groups are to accept all blame, while others are given a pass, because of the current ideological view of history.
Marx formulated this around class. But he was not the first: the Jacobin killed the aristocrat not for what he had done but for where he stood in the system, and before that there were the levellers.
There was no need for a trial, as Cromwell gave Charles: because your birth made you guilty. But that is a foul heresy. It is not our birth that damns us, but our actions. And there are consequences of this.
The word of the LORD came to me: “What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’? As I live, declares the Lord GOD, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins shall die.
(Ezekiel 18:1-4 ESV)
Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
(Philippians 4:1-9 ESV)
There is nothing wrong with being born into a family that loves and nurtures and cares for you and prays for you and raises you in the faith. Not a thing. It is a privilege, yes, but one your parents consciously chose for you. You should praise God for it, as it is honourable.
There is nothing wrong with appreciating beauty and skill and craft. There is nothing wrong with paying attention to those things around you: that they are well-made. There is nothing wrong with living soberly and deliberately. The practice of these things will help your soul. Anything good in this life is there for our benefit.
And those who preach destruction and ugliness fall into a parallel error. The rich and the upper middle class pay for much of our culture: from the opera to the potter — either directly or via taxes (and in most western societies, the progressive tax system means they pay disproportionately). If one hates the middle class and wants to destroy them then removing all truth and beauty seems like a good tactic.
It is not. For it impoverishes your soul. And it encourages evil. For that you will have to give account.
Nothing wrong, no. But I do feel guilty sometimes… thinking of others (so many others) whose lives have been less fortunate than my own. How am I using what I’ve been given, seeing the riches that surround me?
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