God, Power, and Man
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This book is an attempt to discuss the weakness of man. It has rightly been said that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Politically, the forefathers realized the danger of power in the hands of man, so they established the doctrine of separation of powers to guarantee that no branch of the government could encroach on the other two branches. Lately, however, the judicial branch has been overstepping its boundaries by legislating rather than interpreting the law. This seeming usurpation of power has brought dismay to many. Michael Savage writes, When the Supreme Court told Americans of every state it was overturning their laws concerning gay marriage... Washington was going to decide how marriage is governed in all fifty states. It is not a matter of whether gay marriage itself is right or wrong. It's a matter of who decides. TRUMP'S WAR, HIS BATTLE FOR AMERICA, Center Street, New York, Nashville, 2017, p.3. Even in the well-established democratic system of the United States, man still can find his way towards dominance. His job is made much easier in authoritarian regimes based entirely on the monopoly of power by a single person. To remedy the appearance of absolute control, a political party may stand behind the strongman. All authority resides within the single party and opposition is muted. Even religion has not proved to be immune from man's tendency for aggression. Rome, with the Pope at the helm, exercised what was “believed” to be good for Christianity. Those who dared to challenge the power of Rome suffered torture and persecution. For centuries Europe endured atrocities committed in the name of Christianity. The religion of love and forgiveness was sacrificed at the altar of man's greed, ambition, and cruelty. Many left to escape tyranny and start a new life in what is now known as the United States. The abuse of power by Islamic leaders and clergy is as old as Islam itself. Since its inception in the seventh century, autocratic rule has been the norm. No dissention or discussion is allowed. Islam was spread by the sword. Citizens of conquered nations had to choose between converting to Islam, paying exuberant taxes, or being beheaded. Democracy and the rule of law have had a hard time in the Muslim world. For a limited time, a glimmer of hope appeared in Turkish politics but is “no longer a shining example.” The three-term prime minister maneuvered his way to the presidency. His Islamist and dictatorial tendencies are becoming increasingly evident. The Creator has bestowed man with a mind to think and the freedom to choose and enjoy life within some boundaries set not to deprive man of pleasure but to keep him from destroying himself and others around him. But some choose rebellion against God, bringing misery upon themselves and, in many cases, upon others as well. Sin entered the world with one man, Adam. Salvation and the hope of eternal life have been offered by the Son of man, the Lord Jesus Christ. The battle between good and evil continues until His second coming.
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About the Book
God created man and bestowed power on him. Man was given dominion over the fish, fowl, and every living thing. Then evil entered the world. The second generation saw Cain slew his brother Abel. The cruelty and aggression of man did not stop there. It just took different shapes and forms. Even the religion of peace and love suffered from man’s obsession with destructive power. For centuries, the pope in Rome exerted enormous control over the spiritual and social lives of Christians. Dissent was dealt with harshly. The innate human impulse for control persisted in Islam since its inception in the seventh century. The love of money has destroyed men and corporations. A blessing could become a curse if money is viewed as a goal rather than a means. Social media offered a platform for man’s vanity, but it also brought sadness and agony for teenagers targeted by classmates armed with false allegations. Some succumbed to depression and took their lives. The digital revolution of the 1990s contributed significantly to our daily lives. Communication, health care, and shopping have been improved and made easier. But the power grid became vulnerable to hackers. For efficiency, the national grid is interconnected to allow more supply for regions with high demand at specific times. The dilemma is how to choose between efficiency and security. The first option is the logical choice, but man’s uncanny ability to do harm has led many high-ranking officials to warn against the vulnerability of the grid. Obviously, life would essentially stop if the grid is brought down by a major cyberattack. Abuse of power by men over women is still dominant in some parts of the world. On a different scale, the Communist parties in China, Vietnam, and North Korea have a tight rein on more than 1.3 billion people.
About the Author
The principal author is a Fulbright scholar with a doctorate degree in chemistry and a United States patent. He published 60 papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals in the U.S. and Europe. He taught at Washburn University, Topeka, Kansas; Missouri Southern State College, Joplin, Missouri; Northwestern College, Orange City, Iowa; Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman; and Mosul University, Mosul, Iraq. The coauthor has a doctorate degree in physics and worked as a senior programmer analyst with Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitative Services, Topeka, Kansas. The authors have three grown daughters. They have college degrees in medicine (M.D.), chemical engineering, and journalism. The authors are now retired, and live in the Florida panhandle. They have six grandchildren who live with their parents in Kansas.