So today, I have a blog post from R.J Larson (and I'm so glad she liked my question!):
Do the ends justify the means?
I love this question! When people ask, “Do the ends justify the means?” often, they are actually asking, “Can I do something illegal or immoral to achieve something noble or good?”
No. Not recommended. Why? Because, to borrow a popular analogy, choosing a “shady” route to reach a noble goal often leads high-minded individuals down a dark and slippery path toward their own destruction. At the path’s end, they find themselves trapped in mire and brambles, wondering how their lives ended up in such a dire mess.
To offer an example from my latest book, King, the protagonist, Akabe of Siphra, is determined to glorify his Creator, the Infinite, by undertaking a monumental task: to rebuild his country’s ruined Holy House, which was destroyed in the previous reign.
Without spoilers—this situation crops up within the first few chapters—Akabe decides that, because he is Siphra’s king, he must take any steps necessary to achieve his noble goal. This includes marrying the daughter of a spiritual enemy, which is a huge no-no from the scriptures. Solomon himself, the wisest of all of Israel’s ancient kings, entered into many such marriages for political expediency. Wrong-wrong-wrong!
Why?
Because, for all of his wisdom, Solomon fell into one of the oldest spiritual traps ever devised by the Adversary, Satan: Use love, sensuality, and “political necessity” to lead the faithful astray and weaken their faith. Solomon’s presumably charming and exotic wives led him off course, away from his Creator, and his ultimate sorrow is reflected in the often morose verses of Ecclesiastes. (Ecclesiastes was most likely written by someone other than Solomon, but the book’s mood and intent undoubtedly mirror his mindset.)
Akabe has willfully walked into this same spiritual trap, with potentially disastrous, even fatal consequences. Souls are involved here. Not just Akabe’s soul, but the souls of his own people, and now they are endangered by their king’s impatience.
Moreover, Akabe’s new queen has been trapped in a social and spiritual situation she never expected or wanted, and Akabe is now morally and legally responsible for her misery.
Akabe has rationalized his impulsive shortcut to regain the sacred land consecrated to the Holy House by telling himself, “My Creator is silent. I must do whatever I believe is best for my people.” And, “How can He be displeased if I am marrying this Atean lady to rebuild His own temple?”
But was his Creator actually silent? Did Akabe receive any wise advice from others who cared for his spiritual wellbeing? Will Akabe escape his Adversary’s trap? And how can he possibly protect his vulnerable young wife? Stay tuned, dear reader. Stay tuned. J
King by R.J. LarsonFantasy Meets the Old Testament in a Novel That Will Reach Readers of All Ages.
Against his wishes and desires, Akabe of Siphra has been chosen by his people to be King. But what does a warrior know of ruling during peacetime? Guided by the Infinite, Akabe seeks to rebuild the Temple in the city of Munra to give the sacred books of Parne a home. But dangerous factions are forming in the background. To gain the land he needs, Akabe must forsake the yearnings of his heart and instead align himself through marriage to the Thaenfall family. Meanwhile, Kien Lantec and Ela Roeh are drawn still closer together...while becoming pawns in a quest to gain power over the region. As questions of love and faith become tangled with lies and murderous plots, each must seek the Infinite to guide them through an ever more tangled web of intrigue and danger.
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