Looking at a social media photo of members of our wider family circle (a network of relations connected by marriage) – I'm struck once again by the rapid fall of American Evangelicalism. The photo is of a mother, her daughters and their 'spouses'. One of the daughters stands boldly and unashamedly with another woman.
I've talked about this before but in this case I refer to a
good Christian Evangelical family that I've known peripherally for many years –
often appearing at the same larger family gatherings. The father has since died
of cancer and their two daughters have lost their way. One has married a pagan
man and yet apparently retains some kind of Christian profession – never
challenged for her sinful choice. And the other has turned lesbian.
Now it's one thing to say to a wayward child 'my door is
always open' and to invite them into the home – without the homosexual partner.
As such it's likely that in many cases the son or daughter will then refuse taking
offense. So be it, that's their choice. But to invite them into your home with
their sinful paramours, let them stay in your house (sharing a bedroom) and
then include them in a big family photo that is disseminated to friends and
family – what is that but an endorsement? It's not a tacit approval but an
explicit statement of acceptance.
The mother also travels to where the lesbians live and stays
with them in their house – another sign of approval an acceptance.
How is this helping your wayward child that has fallen into
apostasy? Again, we're not speaking of a pagan child fallen into perversity,
but a young Christian woman that has fallen from grace. There has to be
accountability according to the Scriptures.
But as with many middle class American parents, the
relationship with the child is placed over and above the relationship with
Christ – something the Scriptures warn against. The polarity and antithesis
created by the gospel that Christ insists will break families apart is being
circumvented by an apostate Church that won't hold anyone to account.
Did they confront and discipline the daughter who married the
pagan? No.
Did they confront and discipline the daughter who turned
lesbian? No. They tepidly challenged the daughter but nothing happened and the
challenge (as as I know) came only from a pastor family member, not an officer
in the congregation her family is part of.
Did they challenge the mother and subject her to discipline
and rebuke for posting this photo on social media – a post that clearly
endorses the arrangement? Of course not.
Once again as we've witnessed these scenarios among family,
friends, and the larger church – I am driven to ask a question. What would it
take for you to make a stand? Is there anything that would drive you to draw a
line and refuse to compromise?
I'm afraid for many Evangelicals the answer is 'no'.
I can only think of one exception and that's politics. I
think in some cases if one of your children took a hard turn to the Left or
somehow was actively involved in anti-military or some kind of anti-patriotic
activism – that might actually drive some of these people to take a firm stand.
This is apostasy pure and simple.
These folks are part of the Christian and Missionary Alliance
which just recently voted to ordain women. Given the culture at work within
American Evangelicalism does this surprise anyone? Do you think if their church
ends up with a woman as pastor will they leave? Will they even be upset? Why
would they? Nothing else matters it would seem but tranquility, riches, and the
illusion of contentment.
It is striking to me to observe with these parents (and I can
easily think of others) that are so desperate to keep the peace with their
children they are willing to let them drift off into apostasy and hell-fire.
Apparently nothing is worse than not being able to have those happy family
gatherings. It is literally short-sighted with a selfish eye only on this world
even while ignoring eternity. How is this loving your children?
In some cases their weakened understanding of the gospel can
retain a view that these people are Christians (backslid perhaps) – despite New
Testament evidence to the contrary.
In other cases I'm left wondering how much these people
really believe themselves? Their faith has been choked by riches and the cares
of this world and they have demonstrated that they fall under the condemnation
of verses such as Matthew 10.37 – he that loveth son or daughter more than me
is not worthy of me. Luke 14.26 also speaks to this saying – If any man come to
me and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren,
and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
These verses generate occasional confusion for some as they
mistakenly believe there is an imperative to hate. That of course misses the
point. It's a (partly) hyperbolic comparison and contrast with one's call to
love Christ and if that means sundering these family ties – then that's what
we're called to do. We don't have to actively break them but in following
Christ they will be nevertheless broken – if we're faithful.
Evangelicalism's cheap grace gospel downplays or eliminates
these warnings concerning the nature of saving faith and explains away all imperatives
and obligations. We are not saved by works but a faith that does not produce
trust and obedience (certainly flawed, but a qualitative difference in one's
life, as well as an ongoing drive to repentance and some sign of sanctification
or regeneration), then that person should not be allowed to continue in their
presumption. The problem all too often is with the Church. The Word is not
faithfully preached. If it was, this wayward mother would either be spurred to
action with her daughters or she would leave and find someplace else to have
her ears tickled – or maybe just walk away from the faith altogether. But
nothing happens because the gospel is misunderstood (in the name of grace) and
the churches are corrupt institutions primarily focused on sustaining
themselves financially and driving away people and potentially whole families
is bad for business.
This is the end result – unchallenged apostasy that spreads
like a canker and rots the church from within. The pastors go on preaching
'peace, peace', all is well, God is with us, blessing us in our wealth and
power – even while the False Church and the bestial powers it has aligned with
fall under judgment – which produces more apostasy. This happened during the
Middle Ages.
It's an interesting if tragic cycle and get ready for it's
about to intensify. Between cultural compromise such as this and the growing
embrace of radicalism, Christians are going to find it harder and harder to
meet in conventional church settings – unless they simply close their eyes.