"What I have written so far refers to Hungary, where, alas, the 'civilized Christian people are almost entirely devoted to the Nazi system. I am really ashamed I come from this class."
~~Bela Bartok in "The Life of Bela Bartok" by Halsey Stevens
It's an interesting sentiment and it is ripe with questions for those folks and all of us today. It's not to impugn any Hungarians. But it's an occasion for self examination -- especially for anyone who stakes a claim as a follower of Jesus. How could people who claim to be devoted to Jesus support human extermination and torture of others? How could people devoted to the Prince of Peace favor imperialism, war, and killing? Perhaps fear is a key issue Of course many ordinary Hungarians feared the Nazis. Many people today fear political or social pressure. And this make me want to explore how people devoted to a God whose love casts out all fear are so ready to succumb to fear? Is there something inherently fearful that affects people who believe in a God who tortures others?
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