The verdict is in. The California Supreme Court has ruled and the voter’s voice on marriage has been preserved, at least, for the moment. I must confess, though, that while I’m relieved, I’m a bit fatigued. Watching Miss USA contender Carrie Prejean assaulted for stating her views on marriage has been brutal. Hearing actor Sean Penn admonish supporters of the California law, Proposition 8, at this year’s Academy Awards ceremony to “sit and reflect and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren’s eyes” was ugly. Reading about how Proposition 8 opponents were circulating Google maps detailing the locations of Proposition 8 supporters’ homes to harass them was insidious.
I’m sure I’m not alone. Many Christians may be hesitant, if not completely resistant, to engage the culture on issues that contradict their values and beliefs the next time around. But we must ask ourselves – as the church, what should our response be? The answer for me comes in looking back at how the early church responded to similar opposition. They were committed to stand for what they knew to be truth, even if it meant the ultimate sacrifice. Many were sent to their death in the jaws of wild beasts in front of a coliseum of eager spectators. Today rather than facing the lions, the church now faces the merciless jaws of litigation. Instead of an audience of robed spectators, there is now a virtual coliseum of media correspondents, magazines and talk shows ready to voice their particular perspective on the events. The attitude against the church is the same but the venue for persecution has been modernized. As a result many churches have gone underground on this issue of homosexuality and are fearful to engage the topic at any level. Some believe there is too much to risk and besides; gay marriage will eventually be federally legalized so why fight it?
But wait a minute. Who is the real victim in this scenario? Is it really the church?
Click here for entire article in Charisma Magazine
Very thoughtful and challenging article Mr. Buchanan.
Jeff,
I totally agree with you, the church of Jesus needs to rise up and speak the truth in love. I was just thinking last night how the church of today is so segregated. I was surfing to find out about a ministry I'm interested in and their video kept point to the denomination of the church. This brought a big check in my spirit, it just didn't seem right that the denomination was highlighted and not "Just Christ". I find the same kind of reflection when it comes to issues that are taboo. I really feel that we can educate the church to a point but if the act of love isn't our primary objective then we end back up at square one. So the question still lies, how do we reach them with the message? From the examples of Christ it's just loving and doing for others as we would like to be done for us. Would I like for someone to slam something down my throat, NO. Would I want someone to tell me I'm going to hell, NO. Would I want someone to love me and show me that by loving me right in the middle of my sin, YES. Christ is our example, He died, chose us when we were still dead in sin. Paul says, that if we are walking in the fruits of the spirit then no one can point to any but Christ. You are right, this issue is going to take dieing to self through and through. A love revolution is what we need.
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