Arsenal

"ONE MEASURE OF a classic is the multiplicity of persuasive readings we can legitimately make of it."* This was said about one of my favorite books, Alexis de Tocqueville's Democracy in America. The genius of this work is marveled at even to this day. I especially enjoy his thoughts on patriotism. Tocqueville explains that there exists three types of patriotism. One he explains is an "instinctive, disinterested, and undefinable feeling which connects the affections of man with his birthplace... it does not reason, but it acts from the impulse of faith and sentiment."* The second is a people's pride in living under a powerful ruler. The third type of patriotism is one that reasons, which he continues to say

...is more fruitful and more lasting: it springs from knowledge; it is nurtured by the laws, it grows by the exercise of civil rights; and, in the end, it is confounded with the personal interests of the citizen. A man comprehends the influence which the well-being of his country has upon his own; he is aware that the laws permit him to contribute to that prosperity, and he labors to promote it, first because it benefits him, and secondly because it is in part his own work.*

Unfortunately, the first type of patriotism describes all too many Christians. A sense of comfort surrounds a church-goer and they feel no need to educate themselves on their own source of salvation. This is quite a problem, and to quote St. Jerome: "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ."* Some religions have followers that are similar to the second type of patriotism Tocqueville describes, such religions have strict laws and do not allow the common people to question doctrines and are even told what to believe. The third type of patriotism is what we should be striving for as Christians. This type of patriotism is willing to sacrifice for the common good. While there is so much to be analyzed in that quote, it is Tocqueville's attention to knowledge that strikes me. A love that springs from knowledge, which is no different when applied to Christianity, is one which "is more fruitful and more lasting."

Those who attack Christianity are well versed in the Bible and are able to make quite convincing arguments against what we believe, although their logic is usually faulty. Many Christian's aren't versed well enough to counter these arguments. Sure, as a Christian, I exercise discretion and pick my battles, but there will come a time in a Christian's life where you cannot avoid a question. Therefore, it is best to be well prepared.

I would like to note before I finish that there is still no replacement for leading by example. It was how the Triune God taught us how to live our lives, by sending His Only Begotten Son to walk the Earth with us. I leave you with a quote from Ben Sweetland that really wraps things up nicely, "we cannot hold a torch to light another's path without brightening our own."

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(1) Tocqueville and Republican Religion: Revisiting the Visitor, Cushing Strout; pg. 9
(2) Democracy in America, Alexis de Tocqueville; pg. 235
(3) Democracy in America, Alexis de Tocqueville; pg. 235
(4) Jerome's Commentary on Isaiah (Nn. 1.2 CCL 73, 1-3), St. Jerome