Good Over Evil
Refined to
Love Over Fear

St. George slaying the Dragon is a classic archetype of the victory of Good over Evil. Dating from the Third Century A.D., it served its purpose through largely uncivilized times. But in the new Planetary Age (Aquarius) the model has become an archaic, obsolete form. It suggests there is good violence and bad violence. Yet if humanity is to continue unfolding its true spiritual potential, it must embrace a more refined version of Good conquering Evil, namely Love vanquishing Fear.

Love Defeats Fear

Love eradicating evil by transmuting its fear was, of course, taught by Jesus the Christ: "You have learned that they were told, ‘Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.' But what I tell you is this: Do not set yourself against the man who wrongs you." (Matt. 5:38-39)

Also, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. ... Do not resist the evil man but whoever slaps you on the right cheek turn to him the other also. ... If anyone wants to sue you for your shirt, let him have your coat as well. ... Love your enemies. ... Give to everyone who asks you; when a man takes what is yours, do not demand it back." (Luke 6:30 and Matt. 5:9-44).

Early Christian Pacifism

Throughout history Christians have largely ignored their Savior's injunction or rationalized their willingness to kill, even suggesting the slaughter of their fellow man was God's Will, such as the Crusades. But during the first three centuries following Christ's death, there was little doubt about the true intent of His teachings.

The second century Christian martyr Justin wrote, “We ourselves were well conversant with war, murder, and everything evil, but all of us throughout the whole wide earth have traded in our weapons of war. We have exchanged our swords for ploughshares, our spears for farm tools.” (Dialogue with Trypho 110.3.4 about 160 AD)

In 218 AD, Hippolytus wrote that soldiers who become Christians are not allowed to kill and must refuse to obey orders to kill. (‘The Apostolic Tradition’ 16). An important founder of the early Christian (Catholic) church, Origen (182-251 AD), wrote, "You can not demand military service of Christians any more than you can of priests. We do not go forth as soldiers." (Approx. 240 AD, against Celsus VIII.7.3). At about the same time, the Christian scholar Tertullian wrote, “Only without the sword can the Christian wage war: for the Lord has abolished the sword.” (On the Chaplet 11-12)

Love Vanquishes Fear

Peace is not simply the absence of violence, it is a state of mind — a refined, higher consciousness or expanded awareness known to brain/mind researchers as the "alpha" brain wave level (approx. 10 cycles/second). Though fear comes from ignorance and leads to violence, a peaceful state of mind promotes an understanding of nonviolent alternatives to conflict resolution.

Peace is more than a result or outcome. It is the "way" or "path" to humanity discovering its spiritual nature. Thus the "peace of mind" born of Spiritual Love vanquishes fear, awareness supplants ignorance, and Heaven comes to earth — "Thy Kingdom come, thy Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven."

Though we have no clear, visual image to replace St. George as yet, it helps to recognize that light and heat are energy forces while darkness and cold are only the absence of a force. Like darkness and cold, evil does exist in the world — but only in the absence of God's Love. Evil has no power other than to tempt man to identify with his lower, mortal, physical self rather than his higher, eternal, Spiritual self — his Soul.

# # #