A Tale of Two Cities (by
General Superintendent Max Edwards
November 18, 2025
Charles Dickens)
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way.
Charles Dickens published “A Tale of Two Cities” in 1859. His historical novel, set in 1775, contrasted the sentiments and conditions in London and Paris in the era of the French Revolution. The story centers on Dr. Manette, who is released from the Bastille after eighteen years of unjust imprisonment. His daughter, Lucie, nurses him back to health and they settle in London. The narrative focuses on a romantic triangle involving Lucie, and two men who love her. The key figures are Charles Darnay, a Frenchman of the aristocracy who renounced his family, and Sydney Carton, a cynical English lawyer who looked exactly like Darnay. Dicken’s novel explores themes of self-sacrifice, political and cultural strife, and class struggle. Ultimately, it ends with a message of hope amidst the terror.
To your great surprise, I’m sure, it isn’t my goal today to refresh your love for classic literature. Nope! My thoughts are centered on the sharp contrast Dickens paints in those opening words, and how they describe a condition in our own culture and our own time:
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times … ”
“It was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair …”
“We had everything before us; we had nothing before us.”
I am troubled by the fact that these contrasting descriptors aptly describe the bitter political climate in the USA these days. But in our case, it isn’t a ‘tale of two cities’ - - it is more like ‘two tales of one city.’ If you listen to the talking heads on one side of the political spectrum, you’d think that the US Constitution is in taters, the economy is in the tank and we’re just a few short days from the end of modern civilization. But if you listen to the endless chatter on the other side of the ‘aisle’, you’d think that we are enjoying heaven on earth and are ushering in a golden age of health and wealth that will lift everyone. The skies are blue, and all is well, they say!
Now I bluntly admit that my knowledge and wisdom are not supreme, and I have no corner on truth. But I can unashamedly say that I think we all are far too angry; far too divided; far too entrenched in our own opinions. We ought to listen more and opine less. And we should not think the advance of the Gospel of Jesus depends on the success of elephants or donkeys in the Statehouse or the White House. The Holy Spirit does possess ALL wisdom, and He inspired Paul to write: “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” (Rom. 12:17-18) Great advice!