THE BATTLE FOR THE CHURCH

Every community of Bible based faith has a statement of faith with regard to Scriptures.  Here is a typical statement of faith:  The Bible is God’s Word for us.  It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit.  It is the supreme source of Truth for Christian beliefs and living.  Because it is inspired by God, it is the Truth without mixture or error. 

The exact wording varies from group to group, but the essence is that The Bible is the prime authority for beliefs and practice for such groups.  Tens of thousands of organizations have such a statement.  But, in the 1960’s, the Gay Lobby expressed its displeasure with the Biblical prohibitions against homosexual activity.  They set out to change America’s perception of homosexual activity using five points of emphasis.  Point Five was directed at communities of Biblical faith.  Using the book by a priest that claimed the Bible never addresses the issue of homosexuality, they presented the idea that there is no Biblical prohibition against homosexuality.  Rather, the Bible is really prohibiting a lack of hospitality.  The reaction by Biblical scholars was overwhelming.  The truth is that the Bible has numerous references to such activity and the priest’s book was debunked.  So, the Gay Lobby amended their Point Five to say the Bible is not relevant to today’s society.  Nobody should care what it says on the issue of sexual activity.  The lingering result of the defeat for the Gay Lobby was an animosity toward communities of Biblical faith.  In addition, such communities of faith have offered the most resistance to their campaign.  Most of society including education, government, business, media, military, medical, etc., have fallen in line with their campaign over time.  But, communities of faith still offer real resistance.  The Gay Lobby, now evolved into the Gender Confusion Lobby, (from this point on I’ll refer to them as the “Lobby”) is on the attack to get revenge.  The attack has been progressive.

We all remember when the idea of “Tolerance” was the big theme.  Schools had classes on “Tolerance”.  Businesses and government agencies held seminars on “Tolerance”.  Then “Tolerance” evolved into “Condone”.  Tolerance wasn’t sufficient.  They demanded everyone condone whatever is done sexually.  Then condone evolved into “Facilitate”.  If you didn’t facilitate the Lobby, you were “bigoted” and “hateful”.  Now we are in the next phase.  They are outlawing opposition in any form.  The California legislature is passing a law outlawing any pastor from saying what the Bible says about homosexual behavior.  An outstanding female soccer player was denied a position on the national team because of her Christian beliefs. The San Antonio city council denied Chick-fil-A entrance into the airport food court because they contributed to such organizations as Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  The senior senator from California questioned the eligibility of a candidate for a federal position because of the person’s Christian faith. The Vice President’s wife was attacked by the media because she volunteered at a Christian school that had a statement of faith and practice common to tens of thousands of organizations. We are fast approaching the point where many believers in Biblical faith will be prosecuted for their faith.  The War is underway.

Many denominations have been torn apart by the homosexual issue.  The denomination our family supported in my youth and the denomination in which I ministered on occasion is the latest of many churches being ripped apart over this War.  The leaders are predicting that it will split into two or three parts very shortly.  It is one of the largest Protestant churches in the world.  How can people belonging to communities of Biblical faith respond to the War in a way that is consistent with their beliefs?

Here are some thoughts:  The Scriptures clearly contain admonitions and prohibitions about sexual activity.  One whole book of the Bible is devoted to the description of the sensual relationship of man and woman.  Husbands and wives are encouraged to satisfy one another.  But, there are some clear prohibitions.  Adultery is mentioned most frequently.  Incest, bestiality, rape, polygamy, and homosexual activity are some of the actions also mentioned as prohibited in various verses. All the prohibitions are often grouped together under the term “sexual immorality”.  That is the term Jesus used when He strongly spoke on the issue in Matthew 15:19 .  Every Jew in the audience knew exactly what “sexual immorality” included.  They had all learned the list in their training.

We also learn in I Corinthians that there were those in the church who had participated in activities that were prohibited at some point in their lives. But, had left those lifestyles and were now following the Lord.  I Corinthians 6:9-11 says, “Don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s kingdom?  Do not be deceived. No sexually immoral people, idolaters, adulterers, or males who have sex with males, no thieves, greedy people, drunkards, verbally abusive people, or swindlers will inherit God’s kingdom.  And some of you used to be like this.  But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (CSB)

What is clear is that the Bible teaches that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  In other words, we have all violated some admonitions or prohibitions of Scripture.  We all need to repent, confess, believe and receive God’s washing, sanctification, justification, and new birth.  In order for that to happen, the communities of Bible faith need to be engaging all groups in society giving them the opportunity for “new life”.  But, to “engage” does not mean we tolerate, condone, facilitate, or legitimatize those activities that violate God’s admonitions or prohibitions.

What is dividing factions in various communities of faith is that some are saying we should not treat one Biblically prohibited violation the same as all others.  They claim one particular violation is unique and should be treated as such.  They propose that those who are engaging in homosexual activities are not to be considered the same as others.  Some would argue that the origins of homosexual activity are different than that of all others prohibited sexual activity.  If you wade through the propaganda, you will find there is no scientific or medical evidence that the origin of an appetite for homosexual activity differs from any other prohibited sexual activity.  What we have learned recently from studies of the child sex trade industry is that highly developed sexual appetites can be attained at a very young age if sufficient psychological, sociological, or physical duress is applied early on.  Such early development could erroneously lead one to conclude that the child was born with such appetites. 

So, to deal with the dilemma in many faith communities, we need to treat all violations of Biblical admonitions and prohibitions the same.  Welcome all to hear the Good News.  Give all the opportunity for the new birth in Christ.  Have Biblical standards for leaders in the Body.  If leaders are found to be in violation of Biblical standards, lovingly minister to them so they can realign themselves to those standards.  If they are not willing, have them step aside until they are reconciled to the Biblical standard so that such violations are not contagious to the body.

I’ve noticed one habit that has increased the division between factions.  The folks favoring violations of Biblical standards seem to identify themselves as “loving” and “accepting”.  They also identify those who oppose them as “hateful”.  How absurd!  There is nothing more hateful than to encourage folks by example or by words to violate the admonitions and prohibitions of Scriptures because of the “Reap what you sow” principle that permeates the Bible.  The principle is:  Positive actions, words, and attitudes have positive results.  Negative actions, words, and attitudes have negative results.  To tolerate, condone, or facilitate clear prohibitions of Scripture, knowing it will cause trouble, is sadistic.  There is absolutely no love there.  However, to encourage folks to follow paths that are in accord with Biblical standards, knowing the results will be positive in the end, is the essence of love.

In summary, the War is on.  The Lobby is in full attack mode.  The communities of Biblical faith are already wounded and bleeding, but many don’t even know they are being fired upon.  I call on all communities of Biblical faith to do the following:

Confirm your stand on the Biblical Authority

Teach and preach that the Bible contains admonitions and prohibitions with regard to sexual activity

Treat all violations the same… as did the early church

Remember the words of Jesus who said, “If you love me, you will keep what I command”.

Pray without ceasing