THE SUZERAIN’S NEW CLOTHES

A pastor said, “We are punished for our sins.  When misfortune falls upon us, it is because we have offended God.  This is the teaching of the prophets.”   

The Gadfly said, “It is more terrifying to embrace helplessness than to embrace guilt, thus the prophets.” 

The pastor said, “What?  Do you know nothing of the holy covenant between God and Israel?  In this covenant, if you obeyed you would be richly blessed.  If you did not obey you would face horrible punishment.” 

The Gadfly responded, “This has more of the smell of human warfare than of the divine.  In those days there were too many angry hands around too many frightened throats, thus the covenant.”