The World's Estimate of Christianity
J. W. Burn. Acts 26:24-25 And as he thus spoke for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, you are beside yourself; much learning does make you mad.… I. THE WORLD'S OPINION. 1. What it is. That earnest Christians are beside themselves. The world has no objection to act upon the principle "live and let live." If Christians will only quietly go their own way they are welcome to it — to all their strange worship, doctrines, mode of living, hopes, etc. But when all this is pressed upon the devotees of business, pleasure, politics, etc., and declared to be the one thing needful, it evidences insanity and must be called by its proper name. What have practical common-sense men of the world to do with such dreams? 2. By whom it is entertained — (1) By too many of the world's magnates in the State, science, literature, commerce. Men who are wholly occupied with interests, in their view of vastly greater moment. (2) By men who ought to know better. Agrippa probably held the same view as Festus, although he professedly held many of Paul's primary beliefs. So there are many like Festus in our congregations. As long as the preacher is content with expounding in a quiet manner and in polished sentences the commonly accepted principles of morality, they can bear with him; but as soon as he presses home with earnestness upon the conscience the awful realities of time and destiny it is set aside as vulgar madness. 3. Upon what it is founded. (1) With Festus some attribute it to learning — over-taxation of the brain. The mind has been so overwhelmed with contemplation that it has lost its balance. (2) Others put it down to narrowness or superficiality. The man does not think deeply enough, or his reading has not been sufficiently extensive, or he would know that the subjects which he declaims are open questions, and he would submit as hypotheses what he now insists on as dogmas. (3) Others say it is the result of an unbalanced system in which passion is allowed to usurp the place of reason. II. THE CHRISTIAN ANSWER. 1. A strange thing is not necessarily the sign of madness nor the setter forth of them a madman. Otherwise Festus's charge would hold good in regard to some of the greatest men who have ever lived. What great discoverer, scientist, inventor, philanthropist, has not at first been thought mad — e.g., Colombus, Galileo, Stephenson, Howard, Wilberforce, etc. 2. Were it otherwise with the Christian the charge might well be substantiated. Knowing what Paul did, would he not have been beside himself if he had not acted as he did. To feel the greatness of the gospel facts and issues, and to suppress them or be indifferent to them — that is madness. 3. Who would not rather be mad with Paul than sane with Festus when we compare the character of each, and the service each rendered to the world? 4. Whether Christianity is insanity or truth and soberness can be tested by its effects. Does it drive men mad, or does it make them truthful and sober? Let Christian lives, institutions, literature, furnish the reply. (J. W. Burn.) Parallel Verses KJV: And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. WEB: As he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, "Paul, you are crazy! Your great learning is driving you insane!"