Lepanto - the under-appreciated valor of 16th century Christendom

Book Review: Lepanto by G. K. Chesterton, Ed by Dale Ahlquist (Ignatius Press, 2004).

Lepanto, penned by Chesterton in 1911, provides a poetic interpretation of a battle that occurred in October, 1571, in 143 lines.  The significance of the battle of Lepanto: if the Turks had won, they would surely have invaded Rome and Venice, and Europe would have been dominated by Islamic rulers. Chesterton depicts various remote players, such as the Sultan, the Pope, the Prophet of Islam, each in their respective chambers, all while the heroic Don John is leading the charge to victory.

I initially found the poem obscure and confusing. Most of the book is devoted to explaining the context and the references that Chesterton made. I had never heard of this particular battle, which perhaps speaks to the narrowness of the world history I was taught in High School. Over the years I have learned about battles of Constantinople, Tours, Vienna,  Granada, and now Lepanto. The full scope of the Islamic Empire - its rapid expansion by military conquest, politicization into kingdoms and bureaucracies, ossification, and decay - all these were seldom or never touched on. They were certainly never presented as a unified story of the centuries-long struggle between Christendom and Islam on the geopolitical stage. [Bernard Lewis is sadly omitted from most history courses.]

The heart of Lepanto is an unlikely hero, Don John, the bastard son of King Philip, and half-brother to Philip II of Spain, emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Pope Pius V appointed Don John (at age 24) admiral over the combined European fleet to confront and defeat the larger Turkish fleet being assembled at Lepanto (at the entrance to the Gulf of Corinth) for the Turkish invasion of Europe. 

Essays by Brandon Rogers and Melvin Kriesel summarize the background and the battle itself. A piece by William Cinfici describes the aftermath spanning the centuries from the 16th to the 21st. Dale Ahlquist helps us interpret the poem (imagery, allusions, references) and appreciate the poetic artistry. Finally, two related essays by G.K. Chesterton provide insight into his perspective: a 1911 short essay linking the true story of Don John to legend and faith; and a much longer essay from 1931 on the implications if Don John had married Mary Queen of Scots. That was reportedly his intention, but he died suddenly before they even met in person. The latter essay delves into the intertwined threads of religion, wars, and royalty in 16th century Europe. 

The overall conclusion I drew from the entire book is this: In 16th century Europe, between the splintering of Christendom due to the Reformation and rival political and royal establishments, it was only by the grace of God working through an unlikely vessel that Islamic conquest of Europe was halted. 

Book Review: Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Conquest of Darkness by Warren H. Carroll

In 1487, the Aztec empire under the dominance of Tlacaellel, dedicated the new pyramid-temple of Huitzilopochtli with human sacrifices of 80,000 men in four days, far surpassing the typical annual total of Aztec sacrifices of approximately 50,000. At the same time, in Europe, Spain was in the final stages of its war with the Muslim invaders, to repel their armies, which was completed in 1492. The completion of this freed the Spanish government to commission and provision Christopher Columbus to sail west to Asia, only to discover the Americas instead. The Spanish unknowingly set out in a conquest similar to that of the Israelites when the iniquity of the Amorites was fully accomplished (Genesis 15:16).

The Bible records multiple judgments of nations and cultures totally given over to evil, besides the Canaanites. The antediluvian world and Sodom and Gomorrah are two examples in which God eschewed human agency. But that is not what Warren Carroll writes about. In 1517, 25 years after Columbus’ arrival in the Caribbean, Mexico was discovered, and first contact occurred between the Spanish and the Aztec Empire, a.k.a. Mexica. Within four years, Cortes and a handful of Spanish soldiers dethroned the Hummingbird Wizard and ruled Mexica. 

What follows this is the equally miraculous transformation of a culture. How can 15 million people who have lived (and been terrorized) by pagan idol worship of evil spirits claiming to be gods and demanding human sacrifice be freed? In a few decades, over half the population of Mexica became Christians. This was due to the efforts of the Spanish Catholic Church in sending and supporting those called to this missionary endeavor. Rather than destroying the nation as the Israelites did Canaan, the Spanish brought life and deliverance to the Aztecs. [The vision of Guadalupe is almost a footnote to this.]

What is the difference between evangelization and cultural imperialism? If there were (hypothetically) no objective standard for good and evil, this would be a difficult question. But since God demonstrated His love for us by sending His Son to rescue us from our sin and its consequences, we have an ultimate standard. The good news of the Gospel is a spiritual truth of a fundamentally different kind than pagan idol worship that demands human sacrifice. When the spiritual war in heavenly places becomes visible on earth, we must choose sides.

What is the lesson for us? The Aztec Empire did an annual human sacrifice of approximately one person for every 300 population. They were judged and saved from evil after military defeat. In our nation there occurs an abortion for approximately one in 40 population. While the stench of this unchecked evil is not the sole evidence, it may serve as a bellwether for the core values of a culture. The Supreme Court opened the door to changing our cultural direction, but … they do not decide the ultimate outcome. [Selah] A rebellious and evil society cannot escape judgment if it rejects all warnings. Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:14) reaped in full measure, the Aztecs were conquered, and six justices pointed it out, but ultimately our society will decide its own fate.

Darkness, Cortes, and the Supreme Court

Book Review: Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Conquest of Darkness by Warren H. Carroll, 1980.

In 1487, the Aztec empire under the dominance of Tlacaellel, dedicated the new pyramid-temple of Huitzilopochtli with human sacrifices of 80,000 men in four days, far surpassing the typical annual total of Aztec sacrifices of approximately 50,000. At the same time, in Europe, Spain was in the final stages of its war with the Muslim invaders, to repel their armies, which was completed in 1492. The completion of this freed the Spanish government to commission and provision Christopher Columbus to sail west to Asia, only to discover the Americas instead. The Spanish unknowingly set out in a conquest similar to that of the Israelites when the iniquity of the Amorites was fully accomplished (Genesis 15:16).

The Bible records multiple judgments of nations and cultures totally given over to evil, besides the Canaanites. The antediluvian world and Sodom and Gomorrah are two examples in which God eschewed human agency. But that is not what Warren Carroll writes about. In 1517, 25 years after Columbus’ arrival in the Caribbean, Mexico was discovered, and first contact occurred between the Spanish and the Aztec Empire, a.k.a. Mexica. Within four years, Cortes and a handful of Spanish soldiers dethroned the Hummingbird Wizard and ruled Mexica. 

What follows this is the equally miraculous transformation of a culture. How can 15 million people who have lived (and been terrorized) by pagan idol worship of evil spirits claiming to be gods and demanding human sacrifice be freed? In a few decades, over half the population of Mexica became Christians. This was due to the efforts of the Spanish Catholic Church in sending and supporting those called to this missionary endeavor. Rather than destroying the nation as the Israelites did Canaan, the Spanish brought life and deliverance to the Aztecs. [The vision of Guadalupe is almost a footnote to this.]

What is the difference between evangelization and cultural imperialism? If there were (hypothetically) no objective standard for good and evil, this would be a difficult question. But since God demonstrated His love for us by sending His Son to rescue us from our sin and its consequences, we have an ultimate standard. The good news of the Gospel is a spiritual truth of a fundamentally different kind than pagan idol worship that demands human sacrifice. When the spiritual war in heavenly places becomes visible on earth, we must choose sides.

What is the lesson for us? The Aztec Empire did an annual human sacrifice of approximately one person for every 300 population. They were judged and saved from evil after military defeat. In our nation there occurs an abortion for approximately one in 40 population. While the stench of this unchecked evil is not the sole evidence, it may serve as a bellwether for the core values of a culture. The Supreme Court opened the door to changing our cultural direction, but … they do not decide the ultimate outcome. [Selah] A rebellious and evil society cannot escape judgment if it rejects all warnings. Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:14) reaped in full measure, the Aztecs were conquered, and six justices pointed it out, but ultimately our society will decide its own fate.

Discerning what God is calling us to

As we grow up, typically in adolescence, we have to decide for ourselves (ultimately) what path we will take. There are several dimensions of life.

• Values
• Friends 
• Family choices
• Social behavior norms
• Spiritual beliefs and practices 
• Career
• Financial behaviors

And although we start life without questioning our parents’ choices for themselves and for us, as we develop we begin to discover other sources of authority, values, norms, etc. This may include teachers, church leaders, television role models (both characters and actors), peers, influencers on social media, historical writings (philosophers, historians, etc.). Sadly, most make their decisions about the source of values, and the resulting means to achieve them, without considering the fundamental question of why. Why should we leave our parents’ value system? Why should we choose to adopt values and behaviors from some specific source? 

Without a philosophical digression about the summum bonum of life, I propose to take as a given that we should seek to value the things God values and do the things He tells us to do. What do Scriptures say about this?

Firstly, both the written and spoken words of God are our primary sources of God’s message to  us. We can find almost innumerable verses advising us to seek God by study of the Scripture.  What about God speaking to us directly? How do we recognize His voice? One sure sign is referred to in Luke 24:32. When His written word becomes alive to us, or what He says to us in our heart directly causes our heart to burn within us, we must learn to recognize and respond.

The study of Scripture systematically becomes theology. What we believe about God should be the logical result of the propositional statements of Scripture. Countless theologians through the ages have written about the doctrines they have thus derived. We can learn from them, but they conflict. In any event, no writings of any theologian should be elevated to the same level as Scripture itself. (Matthew 15:9, Mark 7:7) But propositional statements about God are not the essence of life choices, they are guideposts along the road.

The foremost calling is simply a statement of God’s universal expectation. What does God require?

He has told you, mortal one, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justice, to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)

And Peter instructs his readers to make sure that their response to Jesus’ calling and choice is firm, that the practice of virtues will supply entrance into Jesus’ eternal kingdom. He calls us but we must choose to respond to His call. (2 Peter 1:5-11)

https://images.app.goo.gl/TezUK2ryXa1WGVky9

On a practical level, discerning whether God has called us to full time ministry, or what form of service to His body, or to others outside the church, or to humankind as a whole, is a challenge. Evidence of God’s call can take various forms, such as an inner confirmation, the working of the spiritual gifts (e.g., words of knowledge, wisdom, etc.), ease of understanding difficult subject matter, coincidences or confirming signs, etc. The linkage between God’s calling and gifts is referenced a few places: Romans 11:29; Ephesians 4:1-8.

It is important that we understand that these giftings are not for our personal benefit, but the means by which God is ministering to His people and to the world at large, through us. This is manifest evidence of His love for humankind, that He gives people gifts to be pastors and teachers, but equally to be doctors and scientists and farmers and truck drivers and entrepreneurs. We go astray when we hijack His gifts for our own purposes. 

We must also keep in mind that we are not saved by our callings, but by faith in Christ. But He does not stop with salvation - that is His starting point. There is a progression. There is perhaps no greater joy than being a tool in the hand of the Maker, except, maybe, the joy we will one day experience in His presence in heaven. Out of His love, He knows what will fulfill us. That is why He calls us to join Him, both in fellowship and in His work, until the two are indistinguishably merged in us.

Modern Rage - the end of the Day of Grace?

On Pentecost, Peter quoted Joel (Acts 2:17-21). 

Joel 2:28  “And it shall come to pass afterward,
    that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
    your old men shall dream dreams,
    and your young men shall see visions.

29 Even on the male and female servants
    in those days I will pour out my Spirit.

30 “And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. 31 The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. 32 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the Lord has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the Lord calls.

One aspect of the Holy Spirit outpouring on all flesh is that the listeners’ (believers) sons and daughters would prophesy, dream, and have visions. But what about unbelievers? If the Holy Spirit is poured out on all flesh, then the coming of the Holy Spirit on the world would result in the things described by Jesus at the last supper.

John 16:8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world regarding sin, and righteousness, and judgment: 9 regarding sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 and regarding righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you no longer are going to see Me; 11 and regarding judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.

The impact of this conviction has been seen in the world since that first day of Pentecost, but is the current rage manifested in mass shooting and senseless wars, on the highways, and on the political scene just a result of conviction? While the events described in Joel 2:30-31 seem apocalyptic in the sense that such events are also described in Revelation, we have had blood moons, solar eclipses, and wars from time to time, throughout history. Perhaps blood on earth refers to the epidemic of mass shootings and insane wars caused by boundless rage. Does this go beyond Jesus’ words recorded in John 16, to perhaps evidence of Revelation 12:12 being fulfilled?

For this reason, rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you with great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time.”

What is to be the believer’s response to this bizarre behavior? Joel 2:28 seems to describe what God intends - manifestations of the Holy Spirit. John 15:26-27 & 16:13-15 record Jesus’ words.

John 15:26 “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, namely, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, He will testify about Me, 27 and you are testifying as well, because you have been with Me from the beginning.

John 16:13 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take from Mine and will disclose it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine; this is why I said that He takes from Mine and will disclose it to you.

The Holy Spirit will reveal Jesus’ truth to the believer, who will in turn testify. How the world that is under conviction responds to Truth is up to them. But it sets the stage for the statements recorded in Revelation 6:15-17.

15 Then the kings of the earth and the eminent people, and the commanders and the wealthy and the strong, and every slave and free person hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; 16 and they *said to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the sight of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; 17 for the great day of Their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”

Jesus initiated the day-age of grace. The kingdom of God is at hand, available to anyone who will receive Him. But just as ancient Israel tested God’s patience until the deportation, modern man will ultimately reach a day of justice. Under grace, we do not necessarily reap what we sow, because a merciful God uses circumstances to warn us, to form us into His likeness, to refine us. We are chastised but not destroyed. 

2 Corinthians 4:8 we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying around in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who live are constantly being handed over to death because of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal flesh. 12 So death works in us, but life in you. 

Nebuchadnezzar (a pagan king!) was brought to his knees by God’s grace (Daniel 4:34-37), but Belshazzar was judged. (Daniel 5:26-30) The unveiling recorded by John seems to be simply the record seen from afar of modern rebellion against God and rejection of His grace (Revelation 6:15-17), and the reaping of the sown seed. (Revelation14:14-16)

14 Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and sitting on the cloud was one like a son of man, with a golden crown on His head and a sharp sickle in His hand. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, calling out with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “Put in your sickle and reap, for the hour to reap has come, because the harvest of the earth is ripe.” 16 Then He who sat on the cloud swung His sickle over the earth, and the earth was reaped.

Golden Calves and Modern Idolatry

What is the difference between empty (and forbidden) religious practices, and genuine faith? We commit idolatry when we replace a relationship with living entity with acts of honor and respect to a lifeless representation or caricature. (Exodus 20:4-6) Ritual is reducing a relationship to a script to be repeated, so many times the words and actions are without substance, merely reciting them by rote. (Isaiah 1:11-15)

Idolatry can be

• Worship of false gods

• Beings that don’t exist
• Beings that exist but are not gods
• Supernatural beings
• Humans or animals or aspects of nature (symbolic representations of natural forces)

• Aspects of life on earth such as career, wealth, possessions, etc.

• False worship of the true God

• Worshipping carved or engraved images as though they represent Him;
• Forbidden practices (sin).
• Pretend acting - putting on a show we don’t believe ourself.
• Meaningless rituals - a form of religion denying its power through actions. (2 Timothy 3:5)

What is the difference between procedures and rituals? Washing hands is a procedure that will cleanse every time. Eating healthy food is an ok ritual because our bodies are made a certain way. Saying ‘I love you’ to our spouse was exciting and meaningful the first time, but likely carries little thought the ten thousandth time. The difference lies in physical world causation vs. relational communication. 

Receiving communion can renew our connection to the Lord, but it can also be a rote ritual, or worse, a magic formula to manipulate God. We want to do our thing, and then get off for it by this ritual. God doesn’t work that way. Thinking we can live the world’s way, gratify the flesh, rebel as the devil did, and then get God to forgive us by claiming His promise through empty ritual obedience. Paul warned against this. (1 Cor 11:27-32)

Why did both Aaron and Jeroboam use golden calves as symbols of God? Why was this such a temptation to the Israelites? Gold represents deity, but can also symbolize worldly wealth. Calves are used in ritual sacrifices.  According to Ezekiel 1:7&10 the cherubim resembled an ox with the legs of a calf; but this was written much later. Were the cherubim above the mercy seat partly made like oxen or calves? Some Jewish traditions say that the Jews saw this vision when passing through the Red Sea. But the essence of God is not in the symbols, it is in rivers of living water that flow from our innermost being. God’s nature and character is intrinsic to His power. According to Romans 1:25, God judges those who worship the creature rather than the Creator. The Cherubim are creatures, who represent and serve God, but are not God.

Why is saying The Lord’s Prayer not a ritual? How did Jesus intend us to keep it from becoming a thoughtless repetition? (Matthew 6:7) Some thoughts:

• Reflecting on the implications of each phrase in our own current situation.
• Interacting with God on the major dimensions of life.
• Opening our souls to divine-scrutiny, the voice of our conscience, and the moving of the Holy Spirit. 

Why does there seem to be a fine line between faith-aiding symbols and empty ritual or false worship? Because this is a heart issue. We want a legal definition that we can debate, that our minds can understand. Jesus wants a committed love relationship. Nicolas Poussin’s painting the adoration of the golden calf (1633-34) depicts the context (Exodus 32:6). Do we seek God Himself, or His permission for,  or blessing on gratifying our own desires and actions? 

There is a subtle temptation to turn worship of God into idolatry, in other forms. Perhaps we are so touched by a certain style of worship music that we equate it with genuine worship of God. The bronze serpent on the pole that healed those who looked to it became Nehushtan, no longer pointing to God’s healing power, but a bronze sculpture to burn incense to. (2 Kings 18:4) 

Is this a question of love languages? What is the difference between a ritual and a genuine expression? A heartfelt expression of love conveys the intensity of desiring the best, the blessing, for the beloved. A ritual attempts to manipulate or control people and/or circumstances without addressing the authority of the power to do so. Ultimately, it is how our worship affects us that determines idolatry. Because, we tend to become like that which we worship. 

Jesus! Help - I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!

Bob Saget’s tragic death reminds us of the daily danger of falling. A significant trigger for death in the elderly is falls. Frequently these initiate a chain of negative health events that the aging body is unable to recover from. These physical falls could symbolize the perils of spiritual falls in spiritual life. The breaking of things - physical and spiritual - can sometimes be remediated by therapy, but not always. As with Jacob (Genesis 32:31), it may be that a physical limp reminds us of our dependence on God in the spiritual realm. The cane, crutches, or wheelchair become inescapable reminders that we can’t do it all by ourselves. 

What causes falls? In the physical realm, our body systems - coordination, balance, etc. - begin to deteriorate as we age. A small slip or slight trip from which we could have easily recovered in youth brings us down. But we don’t realize this, and inadvertently don’t exercise great caution in our walk. We don’t notice the tiny patch of ice on the sidewalk, or the carpet wrinkle, or forget to use the handrail on the steps because our hands are full. 

In the spiritual dimension of life, we carelessly forget the lessons God has taught us through the decades, to flee temptation and avoid even the appearance of sin. 

• David was not a young man when he sinned with Bathsheba and murdered her husband. In fact, he had spent about fifteen years on the run from Saul, learning that God is faithful when we turn to and obey Him. 
• Abraham was well advanced in years when he lied to Abimelech about Sarah (Genesis 20), and had previously been rebuked for the same sin with Pharaoh (Genesis 12). 
• Moses had spent forty years in the desert herding sheep before leading Israel through the desert, learning his dependence on God, before he struck the rock twice (Numbers 20:11-12). 
• How many senior and respected ministers have fallen into sexual sin in their old age? Too many to list… [although the #MeToo crowd no doubt has that list].

There seems to be a contest between maturing and decay in our body and soul. After decades of walking with the Lord and being disciplined by Him (Hebrews 12:4-11, Proverbs 3:11-12 & 13:24), we come to see His perspective. But, if there are any areas of holdout, He relentlessly scourges them. What is the conclusion?

• We must remind ourselves that it is more than an academic lesson. We have to choose to do what Jesus has taught us. (John 13:17)
• We cannot presume on His grace, even though He freely gave it in the past. We shall not put the Lord to the test. (Deuteronomy 6:16)
• When we fall, repentance is still the only remedy. We cannot make excuses based on age.
• We are totally dependent on Him for restoration. We cannot earn our way back.

The bottom line is to discover that much of our growth was in theology and rule-following, and He wants our heart to change to become like His. (1 Samuel 13:14) He uses our falls to reveal our true heart to us. If we truly want to become like Him, we must respond at a heart-change level. This is how Jesus helps us get up.