From the Frontline

After discussing his recent mission to KwaZulu-Natal, Dr Hammond challenges us to re-consider our attitude towards Christmas by considering the Message of Christmas that is lost in the cacophony of advertising and shopping during the Christmas season; the Meaning of Christmas for Christians; the Mission of Christmas from a missionary perspective. Dr Hammond also relates his experience  celebrating Christmas at the Open Mosque in Wynberg; the Christmas Truce during World War One; the unique opportunity that Christmas provides for spreading the Gospel; classic Christmas films; and projects that are close to his heart. The conversation concludes with a discussion of the upcoming Biblical Worldview Course and the Great Commission Course.

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil … Who justify the wicked for a bribe and take away justice from the righteous man!” Isaiah 5:20–23

Over the years I have discovered shocking facts from military and historic sources on the incredible life and intriguing conspiracy to assassinate U.S. Army General George Patton.

U.S. Army General George S. Patton distinguished himself early on as a world class athlete and as leader of men after being admitted to the elite West Point Academy. His youthful achievements were followed by a brilliant career as an officer, which culminated as commander of the U.S. Third Army in World War Two, during which he was recognised as the most ferocious General on the Allied side. He was known as the man who had never lost a battle, the hero of North Africa and Sicily.

 

Why then, would the U.S. government conspire to assassinate its top military leader?

 

Could it have been because General George Patton accurately assessed the shift in the balance of world power which World War Two had produced, and foresaw the enormous danger of communist aggression against the West. General Patton recognized the danger posed by the Soviet Union, which he identified as the real enemy, and he disagreed bitterly with the orders he had been given to hold back his army and wait for the Red Army to occupy vast stretches of Europe. With 18 divisions and more than half a million men, the Third Army was the largest U.S. fighting force in history. Patton was convinced that he could have freed all of Eastern Europe, if Eisenhower had not halted his supplies and fuel. Alone among U.S. leaders, General George Patton warned that America should act immediately, while her supremacy was unchallenged, to end the communist threat. Unfortunately, his warning went unheeded and he was quickly silenced by a convenient “accident” which took his life.

"The tongue is also a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire and is itself set on fire by hell." James 3:6

All of us, at one time, or another, have been guilty of gossip. Yet, it is sin. God takes gossip seriously. The Ninth Commandment is there for a very good reason.

The Bible says that: "Whoever spreads slander is a fool…" Proverbs 10:18. We are commanded: "Brothers, do not slander one another" James 4:11.

Pastors are to "remind the people …to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate and to show true humility towards all men." Titus 3:1-2. To spread stories that put someone else in a bad light is the very opposite to being “peaceable and considerate.” It is also the very opposite of humility.

Pride often is the engine which drives the gossip industry. It is a desire to portray people better than us in a bad light, to lift ourselves up by pulling others down. "Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander of every kind." 1 Peter 2:1. Slander is inextricably linked with malice, deceit, hypocrisy and envy.

The Bible warns us of those who "get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to" 1 Thessalonians 5:13.

"We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies." 2 Thessalonians 3:11. "In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle…" 2 Thessalonians 3:6.