Voltaire and the Bible

Voltaire [Francois Marie Arouet]
1694 - 1778
French Author/Philosopher

Francois Marie Arouet was born in Paris, France on November 21, 1694. He studied law but chose to devote his genius to literature. In 1717, his writings and satirical spoofs on French authorities entitled him to an 11-month “residence” in a “suite” in the famous Bastille prison. There he wrote a theatrical tragedy entitled, “Oepide” using the pen name VOLTAIRE.

He became successful in creating theatrical plays but his unbridled tongue led him to trouble once again. In 1726 he insulted a powerful nobleman and caused him to be exiled to England where he lived from 1726 to 1729. The freedom and religious tolerance he enjoyed in England impressed Voltaire and wished that the same environment pervades in his native land, France.

The French Philosopher was a bold advocate of basic freedoms we enjoy today:

1. Freedom of speech
2. Freedom of the press
3. Freedom of assembly
4. Freedom of religion

Voltaire is considered an intellectual giant in his time and one of the most famous French writers in history. His most famous philosophical book, Dictionnaire Philosophique, showed his aversion to Christianity and opposition to the Bible. Voltaire claimed that the Bible was a product of imagination and that Jesus had never existed but was invented by men who claimed that he is God.

Voltaire is well quoted for his famous sayings such as:

1. ‘Common sense is not so common’

2. ‘A witty saying proves nothing’

3. ‘One hundred years from my day there will not be a Bible in the earth except one that is looked upon by an antiquarian curiosity seeker ’

Two hundred years have passed and we still have the Bible. It remains the bestseller of all time and translated in almost all human languages whether modern or archaic language. It is available in printed matter, CDs, cassettes, e-books, in html, MP3 and other formats beyond Voltaire's imagination.

Many Voltaires have lived and died in our lifetime and expect more come. But I am sure that their combined brilliance and influence could not outshine the Bible of Christianity.

Choosing Leaders

Election here in the Philippines is fast approaching. This time we are to choose senators, congressmen, mayors, vice mayors and other local officials. Pati pala party list. Many Christians churches have taken a hands off policy when it comes to choosing or electing leaders.

In the Old Testament, I read that God is definitely interested in who will lead a country or an empire. He chose Saul to be the first king of Israel and then rejected him when King Saul disobeyed God. God then anointed a shepherd, David, to replace the current King. Although everybody including David and Saul knew that the Shepherd will soon replace Saul, David did not dare to oust Saul because he is also God's annointed. David waited for God's perfect time-- the time for Saul to die. In view of this, many pastors teach that Christians or churches should not oust their pastors. Or that Christians should not support moves to oust the leader of a country. That is a godly principle.

But I also read in the Old Testament that God used people (many of them unbelievers) to oust leaders of countries or empires many times through wars or bloody upheavals. This is clearly God's intervention or call it punishment for the abuses done by leaders or empires.

The Christians' dilemna is that most of the candidates are not Christians. Whom to vote? I cannot offer a Solomonic advice. We can only pray that God will use these candidates to do His purposes.

This May 2007, Filipino Christians should exercise their right to vote. But first, seek God's will on whom to vote. Our vote may be God's way of intervening in the life of our nation. Or our ballots could be God's gavel to judge the abuses of the current administration. Whether our chosen candidates will win or not is not the ultimate goal. Our foremost aim is glorify God when we vote. We only hope that the winners will help in spreading the Gospel of Christ. Or at the least they would not hinder God's work through His churches.

More Blessings

Ang sarap magmahal ng Panginoon. Ang daming blessings!

Thank God because my younger brother Elmer finished his MS Math at the Ateneo de Manila University under CHED scholarship. Graduation nila nung Sabado. I am also happy that he persevered to get the degree. Nakakatuwa rin kasi College Scholar pa rin ang panganay niya sa UPLB. I am sure that more blessings are in store for Elmer in the near future.

I also praise God for my eldest son's (Nathan) first year at Pisay. It was a tough year for him. He had to adjust to the pace and concurrent deadlines imposed by his teachers. We got his report card last Friday and we were pleasantly surprised that he is a DL with 1.26 average.

Thank God also for Amy, Elmer's wife, who sent money gifts to my sons for their outstanding performance in school. Amy now teaches Math in US.

One more blessing: Last Sunday I had the rare chance to preach in the Sunday Morning Worship Service at Faith Baptist Church. I admit I am not good at standing in front of people and making speeches. The real blessing is that there were three attenders who indicated their desire to trust in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. As Isaiah 55:11 said, "So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.(NASB)"

Thank God for His blessings.

God is really good.