“The Devil Often Does Business on a Shoestring” is an article from Dr. Gordon H. Clark’s papers. Both the original scan and a transcribed document are here made available. If you notice any typos on the typed document please email the administrator at douglasdouma@yahoo.com.
**Items from the unpublished papers of Dr. Gordon H. Clark should not be considered his definitive statement on the particular topic addressed. These papers are being provided for educational value. For Dr. Clark’s official positions consult his published writings.**
Unpublished 79. The Devil Often Does Business on a Shoestring (original)
Unpublished 79. The Devil Often Does Business on a Shoestring (typed)
Notes: From the papers of Dr. Gordon H. Clark. From “The Home Evangel”, date unknown.
THE DEVIL OFTEN DOES BUSINESS ON A SHOESTRING
A group of college students was sitting in the large hall after lunch waiting a few minutes before going in for their afternoon session in the chess club. Into their midst came a gentleman about seventy years of age whom they had never seen before. He soon began to tell how foolish religion is, and in particular how absurd parts of the New Testament are.
At least one of the students was a Christian, and began to pay attention. The gentleman was saying something about the Virgin Birth of Christ, but he did not get it quite right. In trying to repeat the substance of the New Testament account, the gentleman got it rather twisted. And the point he was attempting to make was that the New Testament is absurd.
In the mind of the Christian student a fast and furious debate took place. In less time than it takes to read it, he asked himself: “Shall I correct the obvious blunder this gentleman has made, and then proceed to answer the basic objection? Or shall I take him as he is and start with what he says?”
The Bible tells us to be wise as serpents; so the Christian student, feigning ignorance, opened his mouth in stupid wonder and asked, “Does the New Testament really say that?”
“Certainly it does,” replied the gentleman, and he repeated his version, making his blunder still worse. Then the Christian student took out of his pocket a little Testament, and handing it to the old gentleman, asked politely, “Will you please show me where?”
The man picked up the Testament fumbled at a few pages, and in utter and obvious confusion, slammed the Testament down on the table, turned, and slunk away.
Sometimes resisting the Devil requires little equipment, for the Devil often does business on a shoestring.
—G. H. C.