Bibledoorajar: Identity and Threat

"The collar was clearly a sticking point with the professor, who stood before him in the cliche cardigan with elbow patches....'.unless, of course, you're using the bookstore as your pulpit. A clever notion, but I am not charmed.'
'This is who I am. There's nothing to be done about it--I belong to God.'
'While, I, sir, am my own.'
'George McDonald called that notion the guiding principle of hell."
    
Father Tim and Professor McCurdy: a conversation in Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good.

Not only had Joseph died, but all of his eleven brothers had gone on. But God had surely kept his promise of being with their descendants. They greatly multiplied and prospered in Egypt. Their numbers swelled until they were in a position to be a possible threat. When the past was past, a new Pharoah came into power who had no awareness of the nature of the contributions made by the foreign group. He became concerned that they could band with another enemy and overthrow Egypt. He would have to find a solution to this situation in order to feel in control.

Today, all over the world, Christians are multiplying and being blessed by the Father. As always, it seems we are becoming a threat. Like Father Tim, we are being asked to shove our identity away and let the "ones who are their own" feel comfortable. How can we possibly give in to what McDonald called a guiding principle of hell?"

       "Once to every man and nation, comes the moment to decide.
        In the strife of truth with falsehood, for the good or evil side."
                                                               James R. Lovell