Detente is an appealing idea in some circles these days, although of late its luster has been tarnished somewhat. Rather than maintain a state of “cold war” with the Communist Block, a step for peace can perhaps be taken by trying to reach agreements . . . The word detente comes to us from the French detendre, meaning to relax or unbend. Hence in the political vein, detente signifies “a lessening of tension or hostility, especially between nations as through treaties, trade agreements, etc.” — Webster.
We have witnessed these efforts in the form of arms limitation talks, lessened propaganda from both sides, sales of grain and other products — all attempting to establish a measure of rapport with the “other side.” It has been brought out painfully by the Angola conflict, what many suspected all along, the Soviet Union is not deterred by thoughts of detente from its global trouble making. Even Dr. Kissinger, the architect of detente in the present foreign policy of the U.S. has been moved to reiterate that the U.S. will oppose any serious efforts of the Russians to spread their bad influences.
When we reflect upon the definition of the word — “a lessening of tension or hostility . . .”, it is clear that there must be mutual efforts, otherwise, detente is only appeasement in disguise. History is replete with the failure of the policy of appeasement. The cause is fairly simple. One only appeases a powerful foe in the hopes of paying a lower cost than would be required in outright confrontation. The one appeased is aware of this line of reasoning, too. Consequently he can use it to his advantage to obtain the spoils of war with less effort on his part. If his aim is to conquer, anyway, appeasement merely makes it easier. Such was the case with Germany in the Second World War. The country with expansionist aims has no compunctions about going against any agreement signed, if signing it helped it towards its goal.
This is the sad state of world affairs as we look about today. But to the believer who understands the conditions prophesied for the last days, the darkening world situation tells of approaching dawn. We do not rejoice at the calamities coming down upon a disobedient world — we are grieved that they are necessary. Rather we rejoice that the Lord is at hand, and although there will be a time of trouble such as never has been before, the Lord will deliver his people out of all these trials.
We meet detente and its failure in other quarters. Sometimes we may find it in our lives when issues between the Truth and the World are at stake. It seems abundantly clear on the political front that it is vain to strike a one-sided bargain with an aggressor. Yet that clarity of view sometimes disappears as in a fog when the issues concern our obedience and our walk. We can find ready arguments like the “changing times,” “it doesn’t hurt anyone,” “it makes no difference,” or “everyone is doing it.” It is with these phrases that we buy confrontations between our own habits and the Word of God. The aggressor we face is Sin — our own nature that would become our god if allowed. Collectively in men around us, it becomes “the Devil,” raising false questions about God, His Justice, His Wisdom, the Authority of His Word and the appropriateness of the commandments of His Son and the Apostles. That Sin is The Aggressor is made clear for us in Gen. 4:7, where the angered Cain is admonished by God about offerings of his own preference in these words:
“If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is couching at the door; its desire is for you. but you must master it.” (RSV)
Mastery invokes the spirit of conflict. Not a conflict ‘between brethren and sisters (as in Cain’s case), but with oneself. The apostle Paul uses the figures of the Olympian athlete intent on receiving the prize.
“Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Well I do not run aimlessly, I do not box as one beating the air, but I pommell my body and subdue it . . .” I Cor. 9:25-27 (RSV)
One can readily imagine the consequences to a runner if because the practices were unpleasant, he shortened his time in preparing. On the day of the race he would know his error. He cannot fool his body. Stamina and strength come from diligent practice. Far too often we fall back from the confrontation with the excuse “that’s just my way,” as if by admitting the shortcoming that were the same as correcting it. The two are not the same. To Timothy, Paul wrote
‘For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power and love and self control.” II Tim. 1:7 (RSV)
In the same letter at the second chapter he continues using the figures of the “soldier of Christ Jesus,” the athlete and the farmer, each of which must attend to his battle with singleness of heart.
It might be thought that the spirit of detente would make for peace. There are those around us who preach along these lines saying the battle is over, Christ has won, Let go and Let God. But it is the certainty of victory in Christ that brings peace to the mind of the believer. He must labor on, while it is yet light, knowing that his path in Christ leads him away from sin and death. Compromises with his adversary will never bring peace. Peace comes to the mind at one with the mind of the Lord. Oneness comes through the overcoming of sin.
We can thus derive a small lesson from the fallacy of our present foreign policy. We face a similarly relentless foe. If we desire to avoid a capitulation in our spiritual lives like that foretold for the western powers, we must be willing at all times to contend “earnestly” for the faith. As we sing in our hymn:
Fight the fight, maintain the strife, Strengthened with the bread of life.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One