The gospel according to the son - L'eglise

 

A scribe come forward, "Master" he said we know that you want to teach the way of truth. Therefore I would ask for an answer to this question. It is of weight to us. Would you say it is lawful to give tribute to caesar ? or shall we not give ? With all the gentle warmth that this man offered, I also knew that the Devil had missions who were equally fair. If I replied that one must not give tribute to caesar, which was the reply I expect that he waited, then these Pharisees could tell the Procurator of Jerusalem that I was leading a rebellion against the Romans My wit however was like an anow I said, "Give me a coin" when they brought it, I aked " whose face is on this money" The scribe replied "caesar" I said "render to caesar the things that are caesar's". And to God the things that belong to God. I was pleased for I was also telling them that Mannon was a god for the Romans, not for Jews. I could feel their respect. now they saw that I not only had the strenght to return the tables of the money lenders but the wisdom to avoid a rash reply. Later, upon reflection, I would also know that my remark had been too clever. While many a church would survive in evil lands by giving homage to Caesar, I was not here to build churches but to bring sinness to salvation. Why then, had I given that reply ? Had God decided on prudence as the better path ? Would he now allow churches to grow in the swamps of pride and Mammon ?"

  The gospel according to the son - Norman Mailer

 
 
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