A History of Britain in Ten Enemies

You know a book is ‘your kind of book’ when several persons purchase copies and simultaneously give it for a birthday or Christmas. One such is Terry Deary’s A History of Britain in Ten Enemies. Although better known for his children’s writing, the author was able to make me laugh repeatedly even though he made the odd factual error (like calling Ian Paisley a ‘Protestant priest’ without irony, and claiming that James II was the son of Charles II, whereas they were actually brothers) while also insisting on referring to God by the pronoun ‘She’ which I found irritating. Nevertheless, Old Deary demonstrated a sharp sense of perception when he realised that one may better understand a nation by examining its enemies and invaders (Romans, Saxons, Vikings, French, Germans, Americans, Russians, Spanish, Dutch and Irish). I learned some new things and enjoyed re-learning facts I used to know.

What are the enemies of the Christian, a people found among every race and tribe? Pagans? Demons? Idolaters? Wokesters? Fascists? Communists? Apostates? Popes? Polytheists? Perverts? Our opponents in the different periods of church history reveal much about us, and helpfully demonstrated the depth (or shallowness) of our faith when they applied their pressure or persecution. 

The list could be endless, of course, for all ideologies and philosophies ultimately oppose the truth of God as revealed in the Old and New Testaments. Yet the greatest enemy against which I must wrestle and overcome is my own sinful heart. Although God’s grace has been applied to it and the Holy Spirit indwells me, the heart is deceitfully wicked above all things and would have me return to wallowing in the mud given half a chance. The old, Adamic nature continues to warp and corrupt, apart from God’s timely intervention and the new nature’s overcoming. Until then, we battle on, not with weapons, but hope, faith and charity.

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 2 Timothy 4:7

A D