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  • There is something about dragons. Chinese New Year of the dragon.

Chinese New Year Is Near And Dragons Disturb Me

The upcoming Chinese New Year is the year of the dragon. So, why am I writing about the Chinese Zodiac? Because the Chinese New Year is near, and dragons disturb me. I think they represent evil. No, I can’t prove it. But I’ve read Genesis, and I don’t believe the serpent that spoke to Eve was a snake. However, in the Eastern world, dragons are considered good.

In contrast, other places consider dragons bad. The featured image is from the door of the gate of Ishtar. The license for the image is here. This gate was the eighth gate of the inner city of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar II ordered construction in 569 BC.

As I said before, some consider dragons benevolent, and some consider them evil. Of course, some state that Christianity is confused about dragons. See this link to Britannica for some additional information about dragons.

Saint George and the Dragon

The image below is of Saint George slaying a dragon. It is a miniature of St George and the Dragon, by Verona, in the second half of the 13th century. (This work is in the public domain in its country of origin and other countries and areas where the copyright term is the author’s life plus 100 years or fewer.) Strangely, this myth of St. George may have originated from a propaganda legend concerning an incident of heresy.

Here is why. There was a controversy in 325 AD. Athanasius accompanied a Bishop to the council of Nicaea and refuted Arianism, thus vindicating the eternal deity of Christ. Athanasius incurred the wrath of the heretical party. Notwithstanding, they later accused Athanasius of being a wizard who eventually became a dragon. In this way, the Arians took revenge on the memory of their great adversary. How St. George got involved is somewhat of a mystery. However, others believe George was a martyr under Diocletian. (History of the Christian Church Vol 3 by Philip Schaff  Nicene And The Post Nicene Christianity AD 311-600, page 888.)

 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St_George_and_the_Dragon_Verona_ms_1853_26r.jpg

Symbols of Sovereignty and Power

Although dragons are considered bad in many countries, images of these mythical creatures appear in symbols of sovereignty and power. There are even dragons on the Flag of Wales!

Dragons disturb me

Hence, I have already told you that I think dragons represent evil. Although, I cannot prove it. Be that as it may, looking at the above image from Wales reminds me of Ephesians 6: 10-18.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Allow me to think aloud. Could rulers, authorities, powers of a dark world, and spiritual forces of evil use dragons and other mythological creatures in their symbols?)

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

 

All Nations Have Their Shortcomings

Now, I am not trying to pick on Wales. On the contrary, I fear for the well-being of Western Civilization. Furthermore, all nations have their shortcomings. Indeed, it may be time for another group of people to become the premier world power. Only recently have I lowered my level of fear about Western Civilization. It is not a country that must lead people to Christ. Christ’s Church and its members are responsible for shining a light into the darkness.

The great church historian Philip Schaff said the following concerning Christian Church History. “In the first place, [it has] a general interest for every cultivated mind, as showing the moral and religious development of our race, [the human race] and the gradual execution of the divine plan of redemption.”

Although Chinese New Year is Near And Dragons Disturb Me

I am comforted because

The Christian Church Can Never Die

Mr. Schaff also said that Christianity had passed through many stages of its earthly life and yet has hardly reached the period of full adulthood in Christ Jesus. He also said that the Christian Church can never die; it will never see the decrepitude of old age; but like its divine founder, it will live in the unfading freshness of self-renewing youth and the unbroken vigor of adulthood.

Mr. Schaff listed that Christianity has endured a long succession of centuries and has outlived:

  • The destruction of Jerusalem
  • The dissolution of the Roman Empire
  • Fierce persecutions from without and heretical corruptions from within.
  • The barbarian invasion
  • The confusion of the Dark Ages
  • Papal tyranny
  • The shock of infidelity
  • The ravages of revolution
  • The attacks of enemies and the errors of friends
  • The rise and fall of proud kingdoms, empires, republics, philosophical systems, and social organizations without number

Marching over the ruins of human wisdom and folly

Schaff continued his thoughts about Christianity, “And behold, it still lives and lives in wider extent than ever.” He said the Christian Church controls the progress of civilization and the world’s destinies. How so? He said by marching over the ruins of human wisdom and folly, ever forward and onward. She, the bride of Christ, has been spreading silently her heavenly blessings from generation to generation. The Christian Church has been silently spreading heavenly blessings from country to country to the ends of the earth. Mr. Schaff wrote these words in the 1800s. Indeed, today, we could add another 200 years of difficulties that the church has endured.  But Christ will return not to receive nations. Instead, Christ the Bridegroom will return to receive his bride, the church. And the judgment on the symbolism of dragons will be of little consequence.

(Unless specified otherwise, Philip Schaff quotes and paraphrases were from History of the Christian Church Vol 1 page 19.)