In The Lessons Of...
Illustration
In The Lessons Of History, Will and Ariel Durant point out that sin has flourished in every age of humankind. The authors state that prostitution has been perennial and universal, as far back as the brothels of Assyria. They quote Luther who said that in the University of Wittenberg in 1544: "The race of girls is getting bold, and run after the fellows into their rooms wherever they can, and offer them their free love."
Montaigne (1533-92) said that obscene literature was very prevalent in his time. When archaeologists excavated part of the site of ancient Nineveh, they discovered dice used in gambling.
Voltaire stated that history is mainly "a collection of crimes, follies and misfortunes" of humankind.
Will and Ariel Durant provide evidence that governments have been dishonest and corrupt in every age. They concluded, "Man has never reconciled himself to the ten commandments."
But there is still hope for us. The writer of Romans says: "Since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith (Romans 3:23-25 NRSV)."
Montaigne (1533-92) said that obscene literature was very prevalent in his time. When archaeologists excavated part of the site of ancient Nineveh, they discovered dice used in gambling.
Voltaire stated that history is mainly "a collection of crimes, follies and misfortunes" of humankind.
Will and Ariel Durant provide evidence that governments have been dishonest and corrupt in every age. They concluded, "Man has never reconciled himself to the ten commandments."
But there is still hope for us. The writer of Romans says: "Since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith (Romans 3:23-25 NRSV)."
