Saint Martin's Cloak

“I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. (Matthew 10:16) After the 2003 invasion of Iraq toppled the strong-arm government of Saddam Hussein, the country fell into a chaotic and violent insurgency. Multiple factions fought against each other, the coalition forces, and the emerging government. The U.S. military transitioned to stability and counter-insurgency operations shortly after the Ba’athist regime fell. Service members patrolled the streets, worked to restore essential services, and tried to create an effective government. In this context, Marine General James Mattis is reported to have told his Marines, “Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet.” That might be understandable in the midst of a violent insurgency when it’s hard to tell friend from foe, but it is a horrible way to live your life. The phrase my colleagues used during this time was, “Keep...

The Misuse of Psalm 33:12 The first half of Psalm 33:12 is yet another biblical passage misappropriated by some who claim that the United States is a Christian nation. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD This verse does not apply to the United States or any other nation on earth. The second half of the verse identifies which nation the Psalmist has in mind. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. (Psalm 33:12) The blessed nation is biblical Israel, whom God chose in Abraham. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. (Genesis 12:2) No nation on earth has the right to claim God’s blessings to Abraham. The Old Testament consistently contrasts the nation ( goy ) of Israel with the nations ( goyim ) of the world. Abraham and his offspring will be a blessing to the nations of the world, but the nations themselves are arrayed in opposition to God and his ...