Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem
As I mentioned in a Previous Thread, I happen to be re-reading the 1100 page book by Ayn Rand, called "Atlas Shrugged". This time, however, I am reading it with a "Navigational Guide" written by two beloved FReepers who have published! WE have an amazing collection of minds here on FR.
Although Ayn Rand professed to be an atheist, there are some interesting parallels to her work and our present study.
Let's look at the main characters in her book's major characters
Protagonists(The "Good Guys")
1. Dagny Taggart, A Railroad Executive
2. Francisco d'Anconia, Owner of Huge Copper Mines
3. John Galt, An Inventor of a Wonderful Motor
4. Henry "Hank" Rearden, An Inventor and Refiner of Metals
5. Eddie Willers, A Faithful and True, Loyal Employee of the Railroad
6. Ragnar Danneskjöld, A "Pirate" who actually returns wealth to those from whom it had been stolen
There is also a character who writes beautiful music, and several Judges, Doctors, Businessmen, and other productive and creative characters who "go on strike" and form their own hidden community in a "Secret Place" in the Colorado Mountains.
Now, Right away, you may have noticed that two of the most important characters are involved with refining metals. There is even a scene where Hank Rearden and Francisco d'Anconia struggle together to save a refinery that has had a breakout fire in one of the furnaces. In a very exciting scene, Francisco proves he is not a worthless playboy, but a courageous, almost "super-human" character. He could very well be seen as being "Refined In The Fire". Hank is also a part of that exciting scene, and together the two of them avert disaster. They become best friends, although it doesn't help that they are BOTH in love with the same Woman!
In creating "godlike" characters, Ayn Rand has created her own mythology. Did she realize that her characters embodied the very Names of the One True God? (Creator, Prime Mover, Refiner of Metals, Restorer)? Did she consciously create "Galt's Gulch (The Secret Place, The Fortress) as a place where her "gods" dwelt? I'm sure she would vehemently deny this and say that I had TOTALLY mishandled her work, but it is what it is!
Hank Rearden, the Refiner of Metals, creates an amazing substitute for Steel called "Rearden Metal". It is strong, lightweight, and shimmers with a green-blue glow. The ANTAGONISTS in the book want to steal this from him, destroying the Patent and Copyright, and changing the NAME to "Miracle Metal". Never mind that Hank worked for 10 YEARS developing it and refining it!
In our own times, we see the work of our predecessors, Our Culture, Our Symbols, and Our Language under attack.
Years ago, if you decorated your home with a rainbow, it meant one thing...now it means another. Words are attacked, the meanings changed, and new words invented to change our thoughts.
St. Paul tells us in Ephesians 5:
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (KJV)
By The Way...The One True God will NEVER "Go On Strike".
Come and Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem, For Our FRiends in Need, For Persecuted Believers, and For Our Beloved Nation.
God Bless America!
Blessings To All Who Visit This Garden of Prayer.
This Symbol Represents Christians in The Middle East, who desperately need our Prayers.
Hallelujah and Amen
ML/LTOS
