Deceitful
U.S. politicians vs. fanatic terrorists. For all the action and adventure, Newt
Gingrich's Duplicity (written with Pete Earley) is really about
politics, what happens behind closed doors at the highest levels of government.
The title accurately sets the tone. It's not a pretty picture. This is not
Allen Drury's Advise and Consent. It is impossible not to impute into
the lives of terrorists and politicians in our daily news the thoughts, words,
and motivations of the fictional characters of the book. The graphic brutality
of terrorists and strongmen. The behind-the-scenes duplicity, excuse me,
realpolitik [Merriam-Webster: politics based on practical and material factors
rather than on theoretical or ethical objectives]. Deception, outright lies,
manipulation, spin doctoring. The world's way.
What
kind of world are we bequeathing our children and grandchildren? Earlier this
year, I was privileged to serve some missionaries for a few days. Their
devotion to serving the Lord, and their ministry to the downtrodden inspires
awe. They build relationships with those oppressed by sin to bring them to
Christ, so they can share in relationship with Him. The missionaries labor from
a platform of simple living and trust in God. Neither comparison nor contrast
between the world of Duplicity and the missionaries is possible, because
they exist in different space-time continua.
What
does the future hold? Where does Duplicity lead?
I
have not yet read the sequel (Treason), but I doubt it is the ultimate
outcome. The governments of mankind have run by politics since they first came
into being. Even godly and wise rulers like David and Solomon were beset with
crises rising from political intrigue. While we may wish otherwise, political
duplicity portrayed in this novel will be our lot until the second coming, when
Christ shall establish by His power alone the reign of those who serve Him with
a whole heart. Then we will be free of self-serving political spin and brutal
terror masquerading as divine righteousness.
In
the meantime, how should we and our children and grandchildren live in a world
permeated by the depravity of fallen man? The authors' answer seems to be that
there is something valuable and worth fighting for in the core of our nation.
Without citing The Light and the Glory (Marshall & Manuel, 1980)
directly, they trace the "City on a Hill" concept through Ronald
Reagan, and John Winthrop, to the Sermon on the Mount. This seems to fall short
of the full counsel of God. The One enthroned in heaven laughs, the Lord scoffs
at the raging nations. (Psalm 2:4) Our sovereign God, who calls us, will call our children and
grandchildren to the same opportunity, to serve Him in a fallen world, and take
part in that great cloud of witnesses, to build His kingdom which is not of
this world.
