Amidst the ongoing “culture wars” and the ever-escalating clash of
conservative and liberal value systems and political agendas in our polarized times,
and as we charge ahead to a November election, I’d like to offer followers of
Jesus a challenge.
But before I do, let me say what I’m not saying. I’m not here to advocate supporting any
political party or some particular legislative initiative, nor do I intend to
tell anyone how to vote. Instead, I’d
like to encourage you on an entirely different wavelength.
Now about the culture wars—and I’m thinking of last week’s fracas
over Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy’s comments about homosexuality, as well as the vigorous
push-back by pro-gay voices. We could
discuss what Mr. Cathy said, and we could debate what a corporate executive
should and shouldn’t say publicly when it comes to his/her beliefs (when do you
speak for yourself, and when do you represent the company?). And we could discuss the range of reactions
to his comments, from the reasonable to the ridiculous.
And, of course, we could discuss what the Bible says on the topic—namely,
that homosexual practice is contrary to God’s will (so, e.g., Romans 1:26-27; 1
Cor 6:9-10; see www.robgagnon.net for some careful attention to the Bible’s
teaching). Scripture’s message is quite
clear, so those who regard the Bible as God’s inspired and authoritative Word
should have all the guidance they need when it comes to the question of
homosexual activity. But that’s not my
topic. I’m approaching the situation from
another angle.
I want to probe beneath the surface of these recurring cultural
scuffles and examine the implicit (and sometimes explicit) vision for Western
society held by many professing Christians—namely, that what we really want to see is a world adhering
to traditional, conservative morality; and that what’s really bringing ruin upon humanity is how people are straying away
from such practice. If only we could do
something to bring about (or return to?) a moral utopia here and now in which popular
culture truly embraced God’s standards of sexual morality!
But is that God’s vision?
And is that the church’s mission in God’s world? Here’s my challenge: don’t
set your heart on establishing a morally tidy culture. Don’t let your imagination settle for that dream.
After all, such a vision is way too small—plus, that goal is way off target from where the Lord has directed
his church.
After all, even if we could somehow persuade every person in North America to abide by conservative morals and affirm
traditional marriage and practice sexually purity, if in the process we failed
to win their hearts and minds to authentic faith in Jesus Christ, we would have
won the battle but lost the war.
I’m reminded of debates from over a century ago about the social
gospel when D. L. Moody raised a valid question: what good is polishing brass on a sinking
ship? What eternal gain would there be
in producing a squeaky clean society if people did not also, first and foremost,
come to see their sin and grieve over their rebellion against an all-holy
Creator and run to the Savior for amazing mercy and forgiveness and life and
adoption into the forever-family of the Heavenly Father?
Someone might answer that question by saying there would be gain—it would be positive to
help people at least lead moral lives even if they don’t embrace Jesus. But would it?
That kind of “good” influence actually does great harm: it gives the spiritually lethal impression
that by performing well and acting uprightly and doing good deeds and staying
clean, people can tip the balance of divine favor to their advantage. And such human-centered, pride-fueling
theology is a heresy the New Testament resoundingly rejects (e.g., Eph 2:8-9;
Gal 2:16; Rom 3:24; 2 Tim 1:9).
Are we at risk of giving the world the impression that our grand
passion in life is to tell people, “Clean
up your act”? Don’t get me
wrong: societal rejection of godly
morality in our day is a serious problem with far-reaching consequences (e.g.,
unstable relationships, rampant loneliness, disintegration of marriage,
broken families, impoverished children).
We want to love people away from those traumas. BUT we don’t love them truly, genuinely,
unless we point them to the eternal Lover of their souls. Frankly, social reform pales in importance
compared to the heart response of faith, of trust, in Jesus Christ, who came to
seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10; John 3:16).
And yet, when God goes to work transforming believers from the inside
out, good deeds follow—including
moral purity! (e.g., Gal 5:6; Eph 2:10; James 2:14-26; Matt 28:18-20
[“disciples” are taught to obey]). First
things first.
.
