Give an Answer to Everyone

(The following originally appeared on the website www.restoreourfaith.com)  About 550 years before the birth of Christ, the nation of China was in a constant state of civil war, involving 7 regions and known as the Age of Warring States.  It was during this time that there arose a general, from the state of Ch’I, whose name was Sun Tzu.  Two and a half millennia later he is still regarded as one of the greatest military leaders in history. To hand down the wisdom he had gained, from his years of battles, Sun Tzu wrote a book, The Art of War, that been translated in most languages and reprinted hundreds of times.  The book details a complete philosophy on how to decisively defeat one’s opponent and provides a holistic approach to strategy that remains powerful and deep.  As former US General and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell said, “I’ve read the Chinese classic The Art of War written by Sun Tzu.  Sun Tzu has been studied for hundreds of years.  He continues to give inspiration to soldiers and politicians. So, every American soldier in the army knows of his works.  We require our soldiers to read it.”
 
Today, Sun Tzu’s appeal has extended far beyond that of the military and has become an important resource in the world of business, sports, and any situation involving dynamics and a contest of wills.  One of the principles taught by Sun Tzu is:
“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat.  If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.” In our world, Christianity is at war in our own nation and culture.  Christians are used to hearing the passage from scripture about being in a spiritual warfare as the Apostle Paul explained to the church at Ephesus: “For our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against authorities and powers, against the world-rulers of this dark night, against the spirits of evil in the heavens.”  (Ephesians 6:12 Bible in Plain English) Read more…