Ben Zornes

Book Review: “1984” by George Orwell

January 15, 2021 By Ben Zornes Leave a Comment

1984 by George Orwell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Finally got around to reading this classic (is it a classic?). Terrible timing on my part. Basically, reading 1984 it is just like scrolling through a newsfeed in 2021.

Orwell was a prophet in many ways. He saw the temptation of authoritarianism. He saw the danger of what he termed “the mutability of the past.” He was right that the direction our culture is headed is towards the proliferation of sex to the point where sexual enjoyment is nonexistent. Orwell sees that the intimacy which sexual union creates also brings loyalty to an entity outside of the State’s oversight and authority.

He couldn’t have foreseen that Big Brother would be an example of using gendered (and oppressive) language and thus would be guilty of ThoughtCrime, but the Ministry of Truth would correct that in a future edition of the Newspeak dictionary. Big Sibling will suffice, comrade.

The story was well told. It isn’t a warm fuzzy ending. It doesn’t really offer any solutions, only warnings. The solution, I would submit, is hot Gospel. Jesus died for your sins; so love your wife, raise your kids, go to church, work hard.

Some of my highlights:

“It was always the women, and above all the young ones, who were the most bigoted adherents of the Party, the swallowers of slogans, the amateur spies and nosers-out of unorthodoxy.”

“Thoughtcrime was not a thing that could be concealed forever. You might dodge successfully for a while, even for years, but sooner or later they were bound to get you.”

“Now that he had recognized himself as a dead man it became important to stay alive as long as possible.”

“You don’t grasp the beauty of the destruction of words. Do you know that Newspeak is the only language in the world whose vocabulary gets smaller every year?”

“The aim of the Party was not merely to prevent men and women from forming loyalties which it might not be able to control. Its real, undeclared purpose was to remove all pleasure from the sexual act.”

“The heresy of heresies was common sense.”

“But you could not have pure love or pure lust nowadays. No emotion was pure, because everything was mixed up with fear and hatred.”

“…the object was not to stay alive but to stay human…”

Arm Yourself

January 12, 2021 By Ben Zornes Leave a Comment

At the Last Supper, Jesus told his disciples that in the face of the approaching temptations which would arise due to His crucifixion, they should arm themselves spiritually against those temptations. He employed the metaphor of selling your purse, scrip, and other valuables in order to buy a sword for some extreme and approaching danger (Lk. 22:36), to illustrate how they should arm themselves against the imminent temptation. Jesus unapologetically uses the example of self-defense in earthly matters to highlight the greater need for spiritual fortitude against spiritual conflicts. The disciples, as they often did, missed the point. They thought Jesus was calling them to armed conflict then and there (Lk. 22:38).

The turmoil we face certainly raises concerns about preparations which should be made to defend our families. The metaphor Jesus used hits home. If the nation is going to shambles, you might just sell that antique vase which great aunt Martha gave you in order to buy an AR-15 and some ammo. This preparation for self-defense isn’t sinful. It’s godly wisdom.

Self-defense is taught throughout Scripture. Exodus 22:2-3 protects the householder who kills a thief at night; there’s no murder-guilt for defending his castle. Elsewhere, Nehemiah calls the people of God to bear arms while rebuilding Jerusalem because of a clear threat posed by enemies (Neh. 4:13).

You may be asking, “How’s this a preparation to the Lord’s Supper?” In your preparations to defend our liberty, don’t miss Christ’s main point: preparing for turmoil means we should first prepare for temptation. Temptation to charge forward in ungodly haste to shed blood. Temptation to slink back in shameful timidity.

We face a whole host of temptations in normal times. In the midst of this political melee, the panic over the pandemic, the Big Tech overlords flexing their muscle, and the often anemic response of the church we are beset by what seems a greater than normal array of temptations. Temptation to fear man and virus. Temptation to wicked boasting and bluster. Temptation to slink to some flimsy hovel of “safety.” Temptation to rush forward with ungodly crowds. Temptation to gloom and despair. Temptation to soothe our worries in the bottle or on a webpage. These temptations assault us, and Christ invites us to arm ourselves spiritually first and foremost. Indeed, deliver us, O Lord, from evil.

Remember, taking up arms to defend ourselves against tyranny, or fleeing when Jerusalem is surrounded is lawful; but our trust isn’t in weapons. Our trust is in God alone. Only Christ is our true food, but we still buy earthly food. Similarly, we trust Christ alone as our defense; yet we aren’t sinning by making use of lawful means of defending ourselves against wicked men. But don’t miss the first things. Be nourished by Christ first, be built up in faith first. Then, when trouble comes, you’ll stand fast in both spiritual and earthly conflicts.

So come in faith and welcome to Jesus…

Stampede or Steadfast

January 11, 2021 By Ben Zornes Leave a Comment

There’s a story told of a town in Ohio where the entire town started running, helter-skelter, out of town, but no one knew why; only some vague notion that the dam had broken. After everyone realized that they’d simply stampeded out of town for no reason whatsoever, they all, with red-faced embarrassment, headed back to their homes and workplaces.

Men are a herd creature. When they get spooked they stampede. Crowds, when they get moving, are not governable, they’re not going to pause to consider, weigh, or deliberate the arguments for or against their direction. So, what took place in our nation’s Capitol this week––and lest we forget, what took place most of the summer in many of our nation’s most prominent cities––is the result of crowds flowing downhill.

The duty of the Christian is that no matter which direction the crowd is flowing, he must not get swept off his feet. Crowds entice fools to join them. But as Solomon warned his son, the wise man must learn to stand fast in wisdom, no matter how enticing the offer of the sinful crowd is. It isn’t because crowds are innately wrong. Rather, it is because there’s only one crowd which we are called to rush forward with, and that is the great host without number, which surrounds the throne of Christ. We must join with the company of saints to eagerly offer our worship to the Risen Christ.

The reason our nation is fracturing into tribes, breaking the tenuous alliances that held us together, and drawing battle lines is that we have fled from the worship of the triune God, and run to worship various idols. So, don’t join frenzied crowds who aren’t governed by the Spirit of Wisdom. But do not lag behind when it comes to zealously pursuing the worship of God alone.

God Wants You to Fight

January 9, 2021 By Ben Zornes Leave a Comment

Did you know God wants you to fight? Now He doesn’t want us to fight each other. He doesn’t want us to fight and hurt widows or orphans. But he does want us to fight sin, to fight bad guys, to fight evil in us and around us.

How do we fight evil? Not with swords or guns first (maybe later). We first fight by trusting Jesus, worshipping Him joyfully at church each Sunday, loving our neighbor, and praying daily “thy kingdom come.” That is how God wants us to fight.

The Orange Republic

January 6, 2021 By Ben Zornes Leave a Comment

Like a California Forest

This was all too predictable. Just like a California forest management program leads to wildfires, the events of yesterday were all but certain to transpire. The Trump crowd which decided to give themselves a self-guided tour of the Capitol building on Wednesday was simply the next stop on the fracturing of our Nation. Let’s review some game film, though, shall we.

Let me say at the outset, that I think Wednesday’s activity at the Capitol was foolhardy, and while there is time for rebellion against tyranny, out-right battle is the last (though sometimes necessary) resort.

Have Fun Storming The Castle GIFs | Tenor

The same city which saw yesterday’s fiasco was also one of many US cities which were lit on fire all last summer. Back then, seems ages ago now, we were told these riots were the words of the unheard. But go back to 2018, when celebrities led protesters in invading the Senate building, camping in Sen. Grassley’s office during the Kavanaugh hearings, their tweets from back then expressed in no civil terms that they desired to throw all GOP out of office. From the get go of Trump’s administration the media bombarded us with the line that he was an illegitimate, incompetent, bumbling fool, or else a dangerous threat to our democratic principles. How many times on CNN were we told (with a breaking news chyron) that the walls were closing in around Trump?

He was a racist, and if you supported him in any way you were too. Couple this with Governors deciding that you couldn’t visit your grandparents in nursing homes, or run your business, all while liberals praised rioters seizing land in Seattle, stettin fire to federal buildings in Portland, and all sorts of other shenanigans elsewhere. If you can’t see that we had a powder keg on our hands, and if you’re shocked by what took place yesterday, you need to see your optometrist. May I recommend Rand Paul?

DC leaders anticipate third night of protests; 17 arrests, 11 DC officers injured | WTOP — Same City, 9 months ago

The media hated Trump and his supporters and did not veil that disdain for 5+ years. While statues of noble men were toppled, Abe Lincoln’s name was taken off of schools, the Democrats and the Blue Checkmarks on Twitter applauded with loving approval.

Unprecedented is Too Oft-Used

Now, however, this is an unprecedented attack on our democracy. Excuse me for a moment while I remind y’all that the Pentagon lied to President Trump about the number of troops in Syria and the media gave the story a yawn; but tell me again who cares about democracy and upholding the constitution? Remember when Obama threatened to overrule our 2nd amendment rights by executive order? Was that not a threat to the “hollowed halls” (misspelling purposeful) of our democracy? Remember when Twitter killed the NYPost story about Hunter Biden’s laptop, crippling the dissemination of an important story weeks before the election? Did that not compromise the pristine purity of our democratic process? “Hey ma, the dog bit me after I kept pulling his tail.”

All that said, I think those who took a self-guided tour of Nancy Pelosi’s office made a severe tactical error (if indeed it was Trump supporters who led the charge into the Capitol). First of all, instead of propping your feet up on her desk, if you’re gonna go to jail, you should have at least taken some photos of documents. But on the whole, the tour group stayed between the velvet ropes. They mostly looked dazed and surprised they had gotten in, and didn’t know what to do once they got in.

The tactical error is that they interrupted the debate over the shenanigans which went down in the swing states in question, and caused some GOP fence-riders to lose their spleen for a fight (which doesn’t take much). If you’re going to successfully overthrow the government, you might want to have thought a step or two beyond getting inside. In other words, these folks clearly didn’t have a plan, and like crowds usually do, they rushed forward until the momentum stopped. Then they dissipated.

A Few Takeaways

Now, for a few thoughts on what to do now. Over the next few days the Democrats, NeverTrumpers, MSM, the GOP squishes trying to abandon ship, and many in the BigEva speaker circuit will strike a holier-than-thou pose and hit an I-told-you-so note. But remember as they do so they preside over a nation that, with finely manicured fingernails, slaughters babies every day. Those trying to pretend to have unspoiled skirts believe that gender is interchangeable, they believe the anus is a sex-organ, they believe your church should be closed while the strip clubs remain open, they want to send your daughters to the battlefield, and they’ll make your hard earned money into Monopoly money (then tax you on it). Do not believe them. Do not be cowed by them. Do not give them an inch. Do not believe their lies. Do not admire them and their false garb of feigned innocence.

The United States was the greatest missionary sending nation in Christian history; but perhaps in our zeal to disciple the nations we neglected to disciple our own. Trump supporters often wave flags with Jesus’ name emblazoned on it, but studies show that most Evangelicals only attend church sparsely. They tired of the Oprah-like sermonette from the pulpits, and the lame pop songs passing for songs of praise, and opted to find refuge in QAnon conspiracies, in a leader (Trump) who spoke straightforwardly, firmly, and in some ways, courageously. While on the other hand, BigEva leadership who failed to denounce the race riots of Summer 2020, had blog posts ready to publish after yesterday’s events. As a result of the church’s failure to disciple our nation in the glorious truth that Christ is King, the rich republic which our forefathers fought and died for has now fallen. That republic, after all, could only stand so long as we faithfully acknowledged the Lord in our constitution, in our work, in our worship, in our families.

Finally, as one pastor friend of mine pointed out on Facebook, this is what comes of praying to Brahma. They’ve pulled down deep heaven upon their heads. Look this truth straight in the eyes, the Capitol bruh-haha perfectly reflects our democracy. We have descended into madness because of our national renunciation of Christ. Return to Him, perhaps our God shall have mercy and grant healing to our nation. But if not, we deserve this judgement, every last inch of it.

Appetite for Christ

January 6, 2021 By Ben Zornes Leave a Comment

How many temptations await you later today, this week, this year? How many duties do you have to perform: loving your spouse selflessly, parenting your kids patiently, caring for your aging parents faithfully, working your job honestly, and so on? How many adversaries do you have to face?

How do you plan to resist sin and maintain righteousness in all your dealings? When you look at the mountain of challenges you face, where do you turn for sustenance? What do you crave? Do you have an appetite for this meal? Or do you have a hankering for other meals?

The answer to all those questions is that you need the grace which this meal holds forth. You will not be sustained by the stale crumbs of worldly power and prestige. You will not get far perusing your own pockets for the moldy crusts of self-determination.

Your Lord has promised to sustain you and dwell with you. Here in this meal we partake of a visible word of assurance that He dwells in and with you. His Spirit has been poured out upon you. The Father gladly welcomes you here. So what does your appetite say about you? Do you crave this meal, hungering and thirsting for the assurance which God promises in it?

Every other table can only offer fare that will leave you hungering still. Here is true bread. Here is true wine. Here is true sustenance. Here is grace upon grace for all your trials, for all your duties, for all your battles. Here is Christ crucified, risen, ascended. Here is His body broken for you, His blood spilled for you.

So come in faith and welcome to Jesus…

The Promiser of Baptism

January 5, 2021 By Ben Zornes Leave a Comment

Promises are only as good as the one who makes the promise. A politician’s promise is worth about as much as a Zimbabwean $1,000,000,000,000 bill (perhaps an insult to Zimbabwe’s currency). You should be rightly incredulous if you get an email promising they’ll wire you a share of a Thai prince’s inheritance, if you provide your bank account number.

The word of promise is reliable or suspect all depending on the nature of the Promiser. Baptism is a promise, but Who is promising in this sign of baptism? The One who is promising salvation by grace through faith to this child is the King of Israel. His nature is not fickle; His character doesn’t ebb & flow; His purpose doesn’t change with fads; His will isn’t determined by public opinion polls. As Solomon once prayed, “there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant (1 Kng. 8:56).”

He spoke light into being, and it was. He promised a Seed to Eve, and after many years, He was born in Bethlehem. He promised that He’d die & rise again, and He arose triumphant. Christ the Promiser now promises to these parents & their child, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out (Jn. 6:37).”

So welcome covenant child to Jesus Christ…

Courage without Props

January 4, 2021 By Ben Zornes Leave a Comment

Courage is not being the first to comment, and the last one to leave a Facebook fight (round about 1am). Courage isn’t talking louder than everyone else. It isn’t the mere presence of adrenaline in the midst of a tense situation. Courage has many counterfeits, while cowardice often wears a bold face.

The coward masks his spinelessness with all assortment of props. Protein shakes & workouts. Or an arsenal of guns & ammo. Or an airbrushed Instagram profile with perfect furniture, perfect clothes, perfect food, perfect family, perfect face. But when push comes to shove, the coward’s props all topple over with him.

Scripture defines courage, very simply, as standing strong. This begins in the inner man; but true courage is too big a thing to stay in the heart, it manifests in our actions. To stand fast when everyone else is fleeing takes firmness of will, confidence regardless of circumstance, and determination to remain in the place which you’ve been assigned.

It takes courage for a couple in the midst of a marital rough patch to remain faithful to their vows. It takes courage to not capitulate when a rebellious teenager is trying to exploit loopholes in your household rules. It takes courage for a citizen to swim against the current flowing quickly to national destruction.

So, do you cover your cowardice with all variety of props? Or do you stand firm? When you give in to temptation, you prove (despite all your props) that you’re a coward. But, if you would be a man or woman of courage, you must remain steadfast in obedience to God’s word, with a godly immovability. Some may call it stubbornness, but if you are standing in the spot God assigned you to stand, it goes by another name: courageous obedience.