First we will discuss the famous play Faust and its allegorical meaning for our time. Faust was written by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) and is about a renaissance scholar named Faust who sells his soul to a demon in exchange for knowledge by which he expects to achieve one moment of contentment.

The play proceeds through several acts in which Faust is led by the demon into seeking pleasure through lustful seduction, political power and the arts. In all of this he finds none of the contentment he sought but only degradation, intrigue and scandal.

At the end of his life Faust clears a piece of desolate land and makes it into the habitation of a happy community of people. In extreme old age Faust comes to the realization that though he did not find contentment in lustful seduction, political power and sophisticated art, he did find contentment in simple humble service to his fellow man. This contentment is something the demon did not give him. In the end Faust finds God's forgiveness and is released from his bargain with the demon. When he dies the angels carry him to heaven where he enjoys contentment forever.

The play Faust can be seen as a parable for our own times in which the people of several nations have made a faustian bargain called communism. In this bargain the people gave all of their rights and political power to the communist dictator. In exchange the dictator promised utopia which is the perfect society. Communism is based on atheism and also on the unbiblical idea that man is basically good (no original sin, no sin nature). Communism claims that a perfect society in which everyone shares perfectly is possible if all power is given to the government.

The dictator then led the people into political repression, prison camps and mass murder. A book written by two French socialists called The Black Book of Communism estimates that between 85 million and 100 million people were murdered by communist governments in their quest to establish utopia. Communism was the largest social experiment in all of world history. Death was its major product.

Communism fell when people realized that the promises of utopia were empty. People are not basically good but are sinners who need God's forgiveness. The only successful society on earth is one in which government is limited and the rights of the people are secured.

The faustian bargain called communism has unraveled and people have turned once again to that simple democratic government that puts itself "under God" and makes no promises of utopia on this earth.

Getting back to the question at the start of this article: "would you rather be a live dog or a dead lion?"  We can call the faustian promise of utopia the "lion." The lion is great and powerful in appearance but it's dead. We can call the democratic government under God which guarantees the people's rights the "dog." The dog is simple and humble but at least it's alive. Now for the Bible's answer to the question: "a living dog is better than a dead lion" (Eccl. 9:4).

The Bible is scientifically accurate! Find the evidence at www.icr.org.  

Steps to salvation: Jesus said "Ye must be born again." (John 3:7)

1. Believe that God created you and loves you and sent the Messiah (Messiah is Hebrew for Christ) to redeem you.
2. Believe that Jesus the Messiah came in fulfillment of over 300 Bible prophecies to die for you to take upon Himself the penalty for your sins. (Isaiah 53:5-6, John 6:29, Romans 4:5, First Peter 3:18)
3. Turn from sin and call on the name of Jesus to receive forgiveness. (Romans 10:13)
4. Receive Jesus as Savior and experience the new birth. (John 1:12, Acts 2:38)
5. Follow Him as Lord. (John 14:21)

"Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13)

To receive the salvation that Jesus purchased for us at the terrible cost of His suffering and death on our behalf I invite you to pray this simple prayer:

"Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for sending Jesus, the promised Messiah, to die for my sins. I admit that I am a sinner and I ask for your forgiveness on the basis of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I ask you to fill me with your Holy Spirit to empower me to serve you under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, Amen."

If you prayed that prayer in the humble sincerity of your heart then you have received everlasting life, which includes power to live right in this life and entrance into heaven in the afterlife!

Bill Nugent, Overcomer Ministries of West Harrison, New York, USA

(C) 2010 William P. Nugent, permission granted to email or republish if credit given

DEFENDING THE FAITH APOLOGETIC ARTICLES Bill Nugent currently writes a series of articles called "Defending the Faith" which, as the title suggests, defend the Christian faith from the many attacks leveled against it in our postmodern world. The articles deal with such topics as evolution, UFOs, cults, modern/postmodern philosophy, liberal theology and popular culture. At the end of each article is an invitation to receive Christ as Savior and Lord. These articles are sent out over the Internet to several opt-in email lists. People who receive these articles are encouraged to resend them to their own lists and in this way reach their own unsaved relatives and friends with the Gospel. All Defending the Faith articles are © 2009 William P. Nugent, permission is granted to email or republish if credit given. To receive these articles which are sent out once per month fill in your email address below and click the SUBMIT button. *Security: Write the characters in the image above (Case sensitive)