Dear trekker,
Recently our local newspaper ran a special editorial with expanded commentary on today’s culture wars under the title, “Rules for Radical Chic.” The writer compares the tactics of Dr. Martin Luther King and Saul Alinsky, “a white, relatively obscure and far-less noble figure of the 20th century.” And yes, Jewish, by birth.
Various script in the article got my attention. Here is an example:
If today’s revolutionaries accepted the wisdom of Martin Luther King Jr., they would ask little boys and girls to join hands with little white boys and girls. Children would stand together as sisters and brothers in diverse classrooms. “All of God’s children,” as King said in his famous “I have a Dream” speech, would sing a patriotic song about their country, the “Sweet Land of Liberty.” In King’s dream, “Black man and white man, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics” would join hands and “Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”
A movement of “woke” activists, politicians, CEOs, military brass, professors, journalists, and teachers has moved on from King’s agenda. They’ve either forgotten it or quietly rejected it for something quite different.
Yes trekker, we so easily forget the past success and the reasons for it, for a bowl of pottage, something quite different. And as I reflected on the different approaches of King and Alinsky, two other Jewish “Sauls” of the past entered my thinking. Leaders, yes indeed! But they were as different in approach as King and Alinsky were. They are King Saul of OT prominence, and the Apostle Paul, whom the Holy Spirit led from Jewish Saul to Greek Paul.
Interestingly, God’s grace was at work in both men’s lives (as He is in all of ours as well). King Saul rose to be the first King of Israel, but only after the Scriptures note man had rejected God as their King. (Trekker, pause and turn to I Samuel, Chapter 8. Read it before continuing.)
When any nation rejects God, trouble is at its doorstep. Samuel laid it all out to the Israelites. God is the answer, not man’s machinations to by-pass God and invent something supposedly new. Indeed, there is nothing new under the sun as King Solomon noted years later.
King Saul’s life showed promise when he was young…“an impressive young man without equal among the Israelites – a head taller than any of the others.” So where did King Saul go wrong? He drifted away from God and put his trust in himself. Sound familiar, trekker? What a tragedy when we lose God’s blessing because of our sin and failure to follow what He has ordained. God revealed to Samuel that Saul would be replaced prematurely because Saul sought to act as a priest and offer sacrifices to the Lord (I Samuel 13:5-14.). Oh, that all men would realize jeopardy sets in when…“Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you from being King” (I Samuel 15:23). Grace is powerful, a mighty tool in our lives, but it can be retracted and taken from us, trekker. When King Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him (I Samuel 28:6). That is so sad and painful…but inevitable when we remove God from our leadership. God left Saul because Saul did not honor God!
The prophet Isaiah said it succinctly…we all turn to our own way (Isaiah 53:6). Then, hundreds of years later, Saul of Tarsus turned to his own way as did his forefather, King Saul. Both were of the small tribe of Benjamin. Tarsus, in modern day Turkey, housed Saul and his parents as they all became Roman citizens as well, by birth (Acts 22:28). At some later time, Saul’s family moved apparently to Jerusalem. And when Stephen was stoned to death (Acts 7), the ring leader was this same Saul, “giving approval of his death” (Acts 8:1).
Both Benjamite Sauls were “mortal men” whom God in His sovereignty chose to use for His glory. The first drifted…the second arose to new heights! When God intervenes or interrupts, He often does it dramatically. He always wants our attention on our road to Damascus. (Trekker, pause again and re-read Acts 9:1-19.) In this familiar story, notice two things: 1) God is always trying to get our attention when the inexplicable happens! “Saul, you are not persecuting people primarily…you are persecuting ME!” 2) Our response must always be similar to Saul’s…“Lord, what would you have me to do,” and then DO it, as did Saul. God does more thereafter…He transforms us and may change our name! And as they say, the rest is history as Saul became Paul!
The third Saul is a modern day Saul of Tarsus before conversion. Saul Alinsky was born in 1909 in Chicago to Russian Jewish immigrant parents. His parents were Orthodox Jews! Alinsky, an avowed atheist, oddly always considered himself Jewish.
Although his writings reveal knowledge of Moses and the OT, he dedicated his “Rules for Radicals” to Lucifer. Strange indeed by any stretch. An excerpt of the local editorial follows:
“In “Rules for Radicals,” Alinsky tells readers to gain social, political, legal and economic power “by any means necessary.” Divide people by fomenting resentment, much like the Bolsheviks promoted social economic envy, anxiety, and hatred among Russian peasants who otherwise lived in relative harmony. “Rub raw the resentments of the people of the community; fan the latent hostilities of many of the people to the point of overt expression,” implores Alinsky’s Rules. An organizer must stir up dis-satisfaction and discontent; provide a channel into which people can angrily pour their frustrations…agitate to the point of conflict.”
Trekker, as you have read this, maybe you wonder too what happened to the tried and true concept that the desired end never justifies dishonest and illegitimate means. Is it not a given that a country like the USA seeks harmony, unity and freedom? Why do we fall for such horse-hockey?
Now, which Saul do you most admire…or shun? Do you see yourself in any of the three? It is sad that both a former US president was a disciple of Alinsky, as well as a wanna-be president of the US! Alinsky has thousands of followers, too many for sure. Saul of Tarsus (Paul) has many millions of followers. I am one! “Follow me, as I follow Christ,” he told the Corinthians (Chapter 11:1). “Choose this day whom you will serve (or follow) is always the trekker challenge!
Your friend,
Jim Meredith
