ANNOUNCER: The Columbia Broadcasting System and its affiliated stations present Orson Welles and the Mercury Theatre on the Air in ‘The War of the Worlds’ by H.G. Wells.[1]
Those were the opening words to what would eventually become a disastrous masterpiece. On October 30, 1938, thousands turned their radio dials to this broadcast based upon the well-known science fiction novel. Some called the performance that night a feat of artistic excellence. Some critiqued it as a ploy of cultural insensitivity. But no matter what one thought, there is no denying the newspaper headlines the following morning that many believed this “war of the worlds” had genuinely come resulting in mass panic!
In our day, we might mock and laugh at such gullibility and ignorance. Our 21st-century progressive minds would have never fallen for such a trick. Yet, the problem with such mocking is that thousands, possibly billions, even now fail to believe the reason for “the world of the wars” instead resulting in mass apathy. Like a cancerous spot ignored, this underlying cause for our earthly wars has been deemed unworthy of our attention.
Where do wars and fights [come] from among you? Do [they] not [come] from your [desires for] pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war.
James 4:1-2
Sin and its nature lying within us all is that cancer. It is disregarded, explained away, and labeled an illness. Insanity is no longer just a plea for the deranged minority in our society but now an excuse for the wickedness of many. Until sin is recognized for what it is the problem of our world will simply be bandaged where amputation is needed.
“But,” this world and its leaders say, “what about progress? Look at how far our world has come.” It’s true. Our world has come a long way. For instance, we’ve gone from Neanderthals writing on caves with rocks to artistically writing on the inside of bathroom stalls words of which I don’t want any of my kids to ever repeat. Ok, bad example. Or is it?
In all seriousness, progress has been made. Just look at our phones from what they were when attached to the walls of our homes to what they are now. And, yet, with such “progress,” war remains…to the shock of many.
In response to the recent Ukraine-Russia conflict former Secretary of State John Kerry remarked in disbelief: “I thought we lived in a world that had said no to that kind of activity. And I hope diplomacy will win.”[2] Author Trevin Wax dealt with this topic in a recent article entitled, “Putin, the West, and the Myth of Progress.” In it, he suggests:
Why do so many leaders speak as though they could simply will a better future into existence, as if the calendar itself might help push against “medieval” mindsets and ensure our journey toward more sophisticated and civilized heights? Because of the Enlightenment’s unshakable faith in progress. [3]
This “faith in progress” is what keeps us from the truth about our world and its wars. To call the source of these conflicts anything other than sin is to ignore the ongoing problem for what it is. We must ask ourselves, “Why is sin so hard for our world leaders to admit as the cause?” Because to do so they would have to admit two very personal and humbling things.
First, they would have to acknowledge that the answer lies outside of their own power. It does not simply find itself in stronger leadership, higher education, or more sophisticated technology; it ultimately lies within the Gospel of Jesus Christ.[4] An answer of which they have very little part. Secondly, to admit this true cause for our world of war, they must confess they not only fail to be the answer but are actually infected with the problem. Sin is truly the common denominator within us all.[5]
But before we ever point a finger at our leaders to profess these two essential truths, may we first look in the mirror. Have we admitted these things? Or have we begun to believe the answer to our world’s problems, or maybe just the ones within our everyday lives, are found in something we can do or achieve ourselves? If the latter is answered in the affirmative that answer will never be found sufficient. This is not to negate the role of human responsibility but merely put it in its proper place.
Do we also continually admit that sin lies within our own hearts? We’re sinful whether we acknowledge it or not. The only difference between the two is finding the freedom that comes with honesty.[6]
God, through the power of the Gospel, can change any heart within our World of War. That is everyone except those unwilling to confess their need for Him. May we not be one of those people. People like the religious leaders of Christ’s day who questioned why Jesus would be willing to even sit and eat with people who knew themselves to be “sinners.” Here’s His response to those with such a self-professed “righteous” heart:
When Jesus heard [that], He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. "But go and learn what [this] means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."
Matthew 9:12-13
War is sad, grieving, and gut-wrenching, but should never be shocking. As long as this cause for it exists, the result will always be the same. We might never find ourselves believing that aliens are attacking a small town in New Jersey causing the War of the Worlds, but the consequence of ignoring the cause and reason for the World of the Wars is greater. May we not find ourselves on the wrong side of this truth and be willing to warn those who do. For the closing words of this eternal story won’t end like the one in 1938.
Orson Welles: This is Orson Welles, ladies and gentlemen, out of character to assure you that The War of The Worlds has no further significance than as the holiday offering it was intended to be.[7]
[2] https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10548307/John-Kerry-urges-Putin-help-fight-CLIMATE-CHANGE-Russia-bulldozes-Ukraine.html
[3] https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevin-wax/putin-the-west-and-the-false-eschatology-of-progress/
[4] Romans 1:16; 2 Corinthians 4:4
[5] Romans 3:10-18; Romans 3:23
[6] John 8:32
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