Chapter 15: The Bible and the French Revolution
Saturday, December 6th, 2008
This week our reading farewells the British Isles. It takes us across the channel and into one of the darkest periods of the earth’s history….
Twenty-three days each July the Tour de France focuses the sporting world’s attention on the French Republic. Gourmands critique and overindulge on French cuisine, while the fashion world revolves ad nauseam around gay Paris. My own francophilia extends little further than the hood of my turbo diesel Peugeot 405 or the high beam of my Petzl head torch. However, my pre-reading of this chapter has reminded me that the world’s premiere cycling race — along with the existence of quirky cars like the Renault 16 and the Citroen 2CV, and the novelty of double amputee frogs — conceals a sinister history of which few are aware.
Wind the clock back to the late 1700’s and you arrive at an era known as the French Revolution. Its legendary excesses, Napoleonic struggles with streets bathed in blood, and queens devoid of all aesthetic appeal, have provided fertile soil for novelists — birthing the legends of the Scarlet Pimpernel and Victor Frankenstein.
Meanwhile … in the non-fiction department far away from the Hollywood portrayals … the intrigue of these stories cannot compare to the peril that attended the real struggle between light and darkness.
Corporate, legislated atheism was reflected in the “The Radical’s Arms” political cartoon, which depicted the infamous guillotine, with the words, “No God! No Religion! No King! No Constitution!” written in a republican banner hanging above.
This is the story of a nation that rejected the light of the Protestant Reformation and was left to reap a bitter harvest. While the corruption and upheaval at the close of the 18th century are retold in modern history classes around the world, the precipitating factors are known to few.
What’s with an Italian girl that is married off at age 14 to an equally juvenile heir to the French throne? Widowed when her husband — now king — is killed in a graphic accident. Despite being only children, her sons are successively brought to the throne. One cries at his coronation. As queen consort, Catherine de Medici is appointed governor of France with wide-sweeping powers.
Unable to see the contest between Protestantism and popery as any more than a political struggle, Catherine, motivated only by self-preservation and self-aggrandizement, and in deference to Rome, presides over the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre. The massacre of God-fearing Huguenot Protestants was exceeded only by the uncontainable slaughter of their women and children, a “cowardly and cruel onslaught” — the news of which was cause for celebration at the seat of papal power.
All of this paved the way for the French Revolution two centuries later.
Ironically, this dark age of history was superimposed over an age of industrial revolution and scientific enlightenment. With the Protestants, the nation’s best workers, gone—the nation became more and more corrupt, and anarchy ensued. The government of Satan is here exposed.
Chapter 15 is an absolute page-turner! And there is so much to learn as, together, we explore the history of this era, and see prophecy fulfilled.
As a Christian living in the West I am aware of the wide freedoms we enjoy to practice our religion without fear of persecution. However, the same contempt for the law of God resides in every unconverted heart, and prophecy foretells of a time just around the corner when the law of God and those who live by it, will again be the subject to the scorn and derision of this era.
“It was popery that had begun the work which, in the nation of France, atheism was completing.” And it is popery that will again usher in an age of intolerance.
The fool has indeed said in his heart … “There is no God!” But today, God is alive! And Voltaire is dead.
David Entermann (Christchurch, New Zealand)
David Entermann (Sandra’s eldest sibling, and all time favourite person in the whole world) is an ordained elder in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and currently resides in New Zealand with his wife and two teenage daughters.
Back in Australia, he and his family have a rammed earth, mud-brick home, complete with pets, a garden, and an “outhouse” awaiting their return.
For most of the past 25 years, David has served as a paramedic with the Queensland Ambulance Service, but recently deferred medicine to take up psychiatric nursing (his present career).
David has a unique way with people, no matter the age, gender, race, or religion. His “earthiness” and ease in all situations, and with all “types,” is one of his most admirable qualities. To know David is to love him!
When not working, he can be found in the outdoors spending quality time with his three favourite girls! Among many of David’s interests is his love of hiking, writing, photography, and film-making.