Are the Dominos Falling?

As we approach Holy Week, we can be challenged to develop a greater appreciation of the message of the cross; here's what 1st Corinthians 1 says:
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent." 20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

Here we see the contrast of worldviews - the Christian worldview, rooted in Biblical principles, centered on the power of the cross; and the secular worldview, steeped in worldly wisdom and human understanding.   And, there is great polarization in our culture today between those two positions.   The Great Commission is focused on winning hearts, not necessarily winning arguments.   Sure, we speak and act boldly and skillfully according to Biblical truth, but the way we display the character of Christ can ultimately play a key role in winning the heart.   Cultural decline essentially takes place because people do not know or follow God, so to reverse that, it's important that people are being influenced with the knowledge and presence of Christ.

I was reading the closing statement of Moses to the people of Israel this morning, and it really rocked my world, sort of speak - listen to the words of Deuteronomy 32, as Moses recognized that there would be those who reject God.
18 Of the Rock who begot you, you are unmindful, And have forgotten the God who fathered you. 19 "And when the Lord saw it, He spurned them, Because of the provocation of His sons and His daughters. 20 And He said: 'I will hide My face from them, I will see what their end will be, For they are a perverse generation, Children in whom is no faith. 21 They have provoked Me to jealousy by what is not God.  I believe that there are many individually who are experiencing God's face being hidden from them, but keep in mind, they are still not beyond redemption through a saving knowledge of Christ.   But, if a person is separated from, even hard-hearted toward the things of God, then we can't necessarily expect that person to embrace our worldview.    They have a different perspective, and we end up trying to win an argument without winning a heart.

According to Religion Today, a new national poll reflects the continued cultural shift in attitudes toward gay marriage one week before it faces a monumental test at the Supreme Court, PBS reports.  The Washington Post/ABC News survey released Monday found that 58 percent of Americans believe it should be legal for gay couples to get married. Thirty-six percent of respondents opposed making same-sex marriage legal. The survey "reflects a remarkable -- and remarkably fast -- turnabout in American public opinion one of the most emotionally raw and politically divisive issues of the past decade," according to the Post.   Washington Post.   Here is an interesting component of the survey data: voters ages 18-29 support legalizing gay marriage 81 percent to 15 percent.

The dominos are clearly falling on this issue - Bill Clinton, the President who signed the Defense of Marriage Act, defining marriage as one-man for one-women, has now said that he thinks the Supreme Court should overturn it; his wife has also announced her support for same-sex marriage.  A leading House member, Rob Portman, has done the same, wanting his gay son to live happily in a committed relationship.

Meanwhile, at Yale University, an event on campus was just held that promotes “compassion” and “understanding” for those who engage in bestiality and incest, as part of “Yale’s Sex Weekend.”   Christian groups at Yale, by the way, can't receive official recognition if they restrict their leaders and members to only those who share their religious beliefs.

So, how does that make you feel?   Angry?  Like giving up?   Helpless?   All of the above?   While politically, one could conclude that Christians are losing on this issue - losing because the Biblical definition of marriage is clear and people don't seem to be getting it - one man for one woman, which was confirmed even by Jesus, who some say didn't address the matter of homosexuality.  

But, hold on a minute - this should be driving us to our knees...that's why Praying Across Alabama and other prayer initiatives are critical as we seek to recapture our moral foundation as a state and nation, but we also recognize that revival begins with us.  And, as we generate a greater dependence on God, we go forward, not with the motive of winning political battles necessarily, but to win hearts for the Lord.   You and I individually can't change the culture, but we can change the atmosphere around us, and prayer serves a key role in that.   And, we can join our hearts with thousands, even millions of other believers, to pray for the cultural trends that disappoint us - Alliance Defending Freedom is in the midst of a 9-week prayer initiative leading up to next week's Supreme Court arguments.   This event at the high court next week should be on our prayer list, for sure.

And, for the majority of Americans, especially young adults, who embrace this view of marriage, we have to be extra careful that we are not repelling the people that God calls us to win.   There is a place for political and social actions, for sure, but we also recognize that a person who does not know Christ cannot necessarily be expected to understand our Biblical position on cultural issues.   It is through a change of heart that a change of position or worldview can be enacted.