Are you equipped to respond to the changing world around you with a disciplined, educated and well-trained Christian world view? Pastors, teachers or church leaders will tell you that every believer should… “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15
We are told, that this is now a post-Christian age. Is this true?
As believers we hold in our changed hearts and renewed minds the truth. A truth that is precious with the power to rescue humankind from the lies and deceit of the evil one (Satan) that would destroy this world and rob us of our joy, happiness and peace.
Today, we face a rapidly changing scene of political and cultural upheaval that is destroying the fabric of our nation and indeed all the nations of the world poste. Issues that we confront abound in the media, entertainment, education and our courts. The common grace that once held in check the advance of cultural breakdown now seems to be in retreat. But what we as believers need to know is we, the Church, The Body of Christ; we are the vessels of God’s grace and as long as we live on this earth, grace lives.
The term “Post-Christian Age” refers to the decline or end of the advancement, defense, and promulgation of Christianity as the dominant world-view. In this sense, the term applies. We must accept the fact that in this age another world view has gained dominance that does not share the values, morals, and eschatology of the Christian world-view.
Regardless, if we accept the truth of scripture – that until Christ returns for His Church, we remain the last and only defense with the hope for a lost and dying world because we are inhabited by the indwelt Holy Spirit of God, who was given us by Jesus Christ. We are Christians living in a new, but starkly divided age. In this age Christians may well be given enormous opportunities to reveal Christ in the starkest of terms such has never been seen before.
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” Luke 24:45-48
Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” John 3:6-8
If something is done sincerely and with good intentions, does that necessarily make it right?
I recently read the article in the newspaper about Winchester recording its first same-sex marriage ceremony. As a society, we seem to have taken the position that sincerity and good intentions alone can form the basis for correct decisions, but this is wrong. Here’s an example: I can sincerely take the wrong medication for a mortal illness with the best of intentions, but, if it is the wrong medication, I will still suffer the consequences of the wrong decision that I made.
And this is the case with same-sex marriage. Same-sex marriage is wrong, regardless of the sincerity or good intentions involved in making this decision. It is wrong from a biblical basis, and it is wrong on a practical basis. Right from the beginning in the Book of Genesis, the Bible states “a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh” — this is the definition of marriage.
In the first chapter of the Book of Romans, the Bible goes on to describe homosexuality as unnatural, indecent, impure, and not proper — this is God’s description of homosexuality.
Same-sex marriage is also wrong from a practical standpoint because it negatively affects other people. What about the child adopted by a homosexual couple? Isn’t that little boy or girl negatively affected by the same-sex marriage decision as they grow up? What about the question of providing health care to a same-sex spouse? Should that cost be shared by people who, in good conscience, have a moral objection to such behavior based on their religious beliefs?
But even if the practical objections to same-sex marriage can be overcome, they are trumped by God’s objection to it. If it is wrong, then it is wrong — we shouldn’t redefine or repackage it in order to make it look like it’s right. As a society, we need to be able to say that something is wrong. We should say it with respect, with gentleness, and with compassion, but we should say it firmly.
Same-sex marriage is wrong.
Gary Comparetto [Gary’s question and answer first appeared in The Winchester Star.]