tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27391906.post8077351163471470662..comments2023-10-25T02:18:43.690-07:00Comments on Contend Earnestly: For the Sins of My FatherSeth McBeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08765679934165890595noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27391906.post-49880188083073576442009-01-20T17:13:00.000-08:002009-01-20T17:13:00.000-08:00Hi Seth. My wife and I recently watchced "The God...Hi Seth. My wife and I recently watchced "The Godfather" movies. They hit us with a similar force, and with the same theme, that you speak of regarding this book. <BR/><BR/>Mario Puzo portrayed the mafia as strongly male-led, strongly devoted to family and loyalty, and deeply religious. These values did not produce righteousness; rather they produced violence and moral destruction.<BR/><BR/>In the third Godfather movie, Michael Corleone (the Godfather) meets with a Bishop in Rome, who ultimately becomes Pope. The Bishop speaks to Michael of those who live in the shadow of the church, and yet have nothing of Christ. He picked up a stone from a pool of water, broke the stone apart and showed it to Michael. The water, of course, has not penetrated the stone. One can live surrounded by Christianity and remain impervious to Christ, like the stone to water. The fruit of righteousness comes not from the trappings of good works, because they will always be corrupted and corruptible.Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01602468757765608379noreply@blogger.com