Published: November 06, 2009 10:11 am      

Overcome evil with good

In the Oct. 16 Goshen News, Cal Thomas had a column denouncing Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize. To him, the prize is worthless because there are still too many wars and conflicts going on and Obama hasn’t stopped nary a one. Also, the committee seems to push that fuzzy, feel-good kind of peace. You know, the kind where everyone sings, “All we are saying, is give peace a chance,” and then all the bad guys drop their weapons.

Thomas’ idea of peace is beating the evil guys, like Reagan and Thatcher did to the USSR. Of course, the committee hates Bush because he dared attack Iraq and take out Saddam Hussein.

Never mind the fact they’re still there, but it’s Obama’s war now. Also, Bush touted diplomacy against North Korea and Kim is still around.

Tongue-in-cheek, Thomas claims Iran’s Ahmadinejad or bin Laden would win the Peace Prize if they renounced their terrorist ways. Um, wouldn’t that be something worth celebrating?

He does raise the question, “How do we face the evil among us?” If Reagan or Thatcher were chosen, would they dare taint themselves by accepting an award from a “liberal-humanist” organization?

Thomas quotes from James 4:1-3 as to why we have wars. Because of our sinful nature, wars and conflicts are going to happen. But shouldn’t Christians work for peace? (Matthew 5:9) And shouldn’t pockets of peace that happen be recognized? Even if it’s done by nonviolence?

Romans 13 is usually touted to submit to the government. The last verse of Chapter 12 tells us to overcome evil with good. We believe Jesus died on the cross; by his resurrection all things are possible. We are to be faithful to him no matter our situation.

— Brian Hartman

Wakarusa