Mark

Can you guess from these expressions: “The swift do not always win the race, nor do the mighty win the battle, nor do the wise always have the food, nor do the intelligent always have the riches, nor do those with knowledge always have success, because time and unexpected events overtake them all.”

Ecclesiastes 9:11 [Page 924]

“Through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because they had all sinned—.”

Romans 5:12 [Page 1512]

“For this purpose the Son of God was made manifest, to break up the works of the Devil.”

1 John 3:8 [Page 1632]

“The whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one.”

1 John 5:19 [Page 1635]

Even in lands where some progress has been made in combating racial and other forms of prejudice, the question remains: Have the improvements really rooted out the deep-seated feelings of people or have they merely curbed the outward manifestation of those feelings? Some believe that at best such improvements only help prevent discrimination but may be powerless at eliminating prejudice. Why so? Because discrimination is an act that can be seen and punished by law, whereas prejudice is related to people’s inner thoughts and emotions, which cannot be easily regulated.

Therefore, any attempt to eliminate prejudice must not merely curb discriminatory acts but also change a person’s thoughts and feelings toward people of another group. Can this really be done? If so, how?

WOULD you like to see an end to all wars? Surely there must be some diplomatic solution to national and international conflicts. Many feel that if world leaders simply worked together, war could be done away with. Likely, however, you are disappointed with the results of diplomacy. For centuries diplomats have ratified treaties, formulated resolutions, and held summit meetings, but few issues have been permanently resolved.

The Bible has much to say about diplomacy and peace. It answers the following questions: What factors presently prevent diplomacy from producing peace? Should Christians involve themselves in diplomacy? How will true peace finally be attained?

You have just moved into what appears to be a sturdy and attractive new brick home. It is what you have always wanted. The future looks good! But within just a few years, the house develops serious structural defects and has to be demolished. Your heart is broken. But you are not alone. The same problems have developed in other houses in your area. Investigation reveals that the causes were architectural incompetence and flawed bricks.

LIKE that house, the world is in big trouble. Despite countless social and political experiments and almost miraculous advances in science and technology, the very fabric of society seems to be coming apart. In a number of lands, lawlessness and anarchy are already the order of the day. Will desperation drive humans to resolve their problems, to create good government at last?

Which factor about our world disturbs you the most?

HUNGER

POVERTY

DISEASE

CRIME

INJUSTICE

WAR

POLLUTION

PREJUDICE

THERE is one thing that few people will dispute: We are all imperfect and therefore make mistakes and do things that we come to regret. Still, does that explain the many bad deeds, both major and minor, that we see or hear about almost daily, either in person or in the media?

In spite of human imperfection, people generally acknowledge that there are moral boundaries that should never be crossed and that humans are capable of abstaining from evil acts. Most would also readily agree that there is a difference between inadvertent untruth and outright slander, between causing an accidental injury and committing premeditated murder. Still, shocking deeds are often perpetrated by seemingly ordinary people in the neighborhood. Why? Why do people do bad things?