Unspeakable

I don’t know what it is about this particular winter, but it seems to be the season for finishing a number of books that I’ve started in previous years.  Three and a half years ago I started reading Unspeakable: Facing up to Evil in an Age of Genocide and Terror by Os Guinness, and I made it to within forty-six pages from the end.  As of this evening, those forty-six pages are now water under the bridge. 

Why did it take so long to finish?  I’m not sure, but God’s timing is impeccable.  It’s only recently that Amy and I have become intensely aware of the reality of modern-day slavery and human trafficking, not to mention abortion, and have been moved enough to become involved more than we have been in the past.

The problem with the world is me

A pastor I know once told me that he is a firm believer in total depravity, because he practices it every day.  Or something close to that.  His point is that if we’re honest with ourselves, we are all great sinners.  Not were great sinners — are great sinners.  And will be until we are finally glorified in the presence of God.

In his book Unspeakable, Os Guinness writes,

When the Times of London once asked several of Britain’s leading intellectuals what they thought was the problem with the world, the celebrated Catholic journalist G. K. Chesterton sent back a postcard response: “I am.”

“I am.”  Was he wrong?  Would anyone else reading this disagree with him?  Can anyone else honestly give a different answer?