I have been enjoying a twice-a-month home study with a dozen Christians who are not attending worship here. It is called “Pastors and Patriots” (though I hope the pastors are ALSO patriots; at most there are 3 pastors in the group). The basic desire of our host couple is to bring together mainly conservatives who are highly engaged with politics to rub shoulders with those of us who see the highest conjunction of faith and culture, a good connection of church and state, or Jesus Christ’s sovereign word over all realms.
A fascinating question was posed last week, a hypothetical “What if …?” What if ‘the train has already left the station’ on some culture-shaping issues like gay marriage, abortion rights, etc.? That is: What if the Final History Book (which has yet to be written) will show that 2014 had America going into a full, dark century of universally legalized homosexual unions, called marriage at all political levels? Whether or not such an ungodly stance would lead to our nation’s final demise by 2114, that scenario paints a picture for everyone in this room, that perhaps we as part of the Biblical church really are about to go into long era of being seen as “strange,” bigoted, hateful, backward, on the order of crazy KKK guys in white sheets, who do have the right to assemble … but we all know they are bad people: Why can’t they get it, and come over to the right side of history, and learn how to care about everyone?! Perhaps you have thought as much about KKK folks, but this scenario indicates that the 95% would be thinking such thoughts about you for your backward stance, resisting gay marriage, etc.
As a result of that question, our conversation went in two directions: Œ Of course, in some ways it does not really matter what our godless culture does with definitions and the realities underneath them. Two men cannot really have a marriage in God’s eyes, even if 100% of humanity claims that they can. So a subtle form of persecution is already beginning for Biblical Christians, but this should not surprise us. In fact, tribulation is the promise and historic norm for the people of God in this world. We simply must move ahead (no matter what) with the priorities and assignments of God, being His people, sharing the gospel, living in love for friend and foe, serving the needy, picking up many of the broken pieces in this fallen world. There are many places in this world which are right now coming alive to the beauty of God’s word and ways, even as once-Christianized lands in Europe (and maybe here?) are sprinting away from it. Their stories of success and bounty (which we will watch as current events) will encourage us.
But a second response gets to the practical matter of this day (March 2 of 2014), when that Final History Book is something we cannot read yet. Are we mere days away from God’s gift of revival for which we pray and labor? Is it a version of quitting for us to imagine that we have lost the key battles (which have far-reaching godless assumptions), when this is really to be a day for vigorous battle? I am not referring so much to political fights, but the rallying of daily energy to take on the wicked assumptions of our godless culture (as did the faithful prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah, though we’re not as clear as they were about certain rejection of their words). The title of today’s talk (Doing Less Harm) matches a helpful view that God’s law, words, & ways are not burdensome, but actually minimize human pain (in the long run). That truth (and the Truth) invites us to fight for God’s definitions & realities & word & ways in the name of love. We do know the grand end of all things, but not the precise path which our nation will follow. However, we do have enough direction and motivation for today.