My view is that had it not been for the church, it all would
have happened a lot sooner, and a lot more completely. It’s not that I think
the church has done a spectacular job. It hasn't. But when has the church ever
done a spectacular job? The church has always been a weak and conflicted
institution, sustained, propagated, and expanded by the grace of God working
through imperfectly sanctified people.
But the church lives (as Isaiah did) in the midst of unclean
people. People whose hearts are deceitful and twisted (Jer 17:9). The
unconverted man has no love for God, and no love for his law. Laws and cultures
may keep man’s inherent wickedness in check, but that wickedness will come out.
And when cultures degrade, the natural wickedness of man becomes more apparent,
and less likely to be held in check. See Augustine, City of God, Book 2,
Chapter 20 for a description of Roman society on Augustine’s day. It sounds
pretty modern. (It can be read here: http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf102.iv.II_1.20.html).
Perhaps an illustration will help. In the Book of Numbers,
we get the sorry story of the people of Israel in the wilderness. It is a time
of frequent rebellion against the Law of God. A whole generation dies in the
wilderness due to its disobedience. By the end of chapter 21, they are camped
on the borders of the land ruled by Balak. We know, because we've read the
preceding material, what a mess the people of Israel is. But Balak is
terrified. He sees the people of God as an immediate threat to his well-being
and to the well-being of his country (see Num 22:11). And they are.
In like manner, the unconverted world sees the church as
Balak saw the people of Israel. As a unified horde, come to deprive them of
their indulgences. They do not see the weakness. They do not see the
disobedience. They do not see the disunity. What they see is a body of people
come to destroy their well-being (as they see it). The church terrifies the
unbeliever. The unbeliever will do anything he can to destroy the church. Yet
the church remains, a light in the darkness, the salt of the earth. We in the
church too often fail to understand the church in this way, and we need to
correct our understanding.
No, “gay marriage” is not the church’s fault. “Gay marriage”
is the end result of an individualistic libertarian culture whose war cry has
been, “Stay out of my bedroom, and away from my chemical indulgences.” The
church remains. Her testimony remains. And this (“gay marriage”) shall pass in
time. Only what is of God will remain.
1 comment:
This week was the first time I heard of you. This article is written with fairness. I look forward to reading more. Lord willing Olivia.
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