THE TRINITY REVIEW For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare [are] not fleshly but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. And they will be ready to punish all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. December 2002, January, February, March 2003 Copyright 2003 John W. Robbins Post Office Box 68, Unicoi, Tennessee 37692 Email:
[email protected] Website: http://www.trinityfoundation.org/ Telephone: 423.743.0199 Fax: 423.743.2005 Christ and Civilization John W. Robbins On December 25 and January 7 nearly two billion people It has been more than 2,000 years since Jesus was born will celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The celebration is in Bethlehem, and since that time the world has changed doubly ironic, for the dates are not his birthday, and most immensely. Jesus, born and reared in small towns in celebrants have forgotten—or, more likely, have never Judea, one of the lesser provinces of the Roman Empire, learned—the meaning of his birth. One of the most lived only 33 years—a young man by modern standards— enthusiastic celebrants of Christmas I have known was an and taught only three years—a short career—before he atheist. She loved the colorful decorations, the intoxicating was tortured and executed by a local Jewish mob, smells, the cheerful songs, the plentiful food and drink, the instigated by leaders of the Temple cult, and the Imperial smiling faces of children, exchanging gifts, and the feeling Roman government.