hidden people and history

If you get a chance, take a look at Patrick Mead's series on hidden people and hidden history. It is a really fascinating series. Patrick has two sites, http://patrickmead.net and http://patrickmead.net/tentpegs Both are worth reading.

Caesar worship

In recent studies, it is becoming clearer that Caesar worship or the Imperial Cult started much earlier than thought. It began with the first Caesar, Augustus, espeically in the Middle East. He was worshipped because he brought peace through his armies to the Roman world. Even the mighty Parthians returned the standards of three defeated generals to Augustus around 26 B.C. Herod the Great built at least three temples and two cities in honor of Caesar Augustus and appears to have been involved in the worship of the Emperor; not surprising since he really wasn't a Jew.

Jesus was declared Lord by His resurrection and part of Paul's message was that Jesus is Lord. This Lord brought true peace, the shalom of God, to people. Eventually this would lead to a conflict between Caesar and the followers of Jesus. Such conflicts continue today throughout the world. Dictators fear Christians and want churches closed and Christians silenced. In the old Soviet Union, many were surprised when the Berlin Wall came down and communism collasped, that one of the first things that happened was the reopening of churches. The opposition to communism was often led by believers in Christ.

There is always a danger in elevating anyone to the role of lord. One of the Herods died a horrible death when that happened to him (Acts 12). Today we need to be careful in how we view our political leaders (and dare we say our church leaders as well?). In the past, we have honored famous leaders. I have been to the Washington, Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials as well as Mt. Rushmore. These men are remembered for their leadership but we do not, or should not, worship them. In the U.S., all political leaders are just citizens of the country. They are not to be seen as something special even though they hold an important office.

Unfortunately, these politicians have, to quote the words of that famous American philosopher...
"Dirty Harry," they have become legends in their own minds. George Orwell also captured the current attitude in his book, Animal Farm, where he said that all are equal, there are just some who are more equal than others.

There is only one Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. No one else can make that claim, nor should we make that claim of anyone. Of course, saying such could bring conflict with the elites, but it doesn't change the truth - Jesus is Lord.