"...We must obey God rather than man."
Acts 5:29
A decade ago Governmental sanction and mandate for Gay
Marriage, to be lawfully recognized, had all the appearances of a
insurmountable bastion... As of today there is nothing left but the crumbled
and smoldering ruins of that sentiment. This new precedent sets the stage for
the next assault by the Over-Culture and Social Progressivist Cultural Elites,
for this same Mandate to be recognized, followed and enforced, by ALL people,
in all places and at all times... Understand, it won't happen tomorrow, but it
will happen... And when it does, it will only have become possible because of
SCOTUS' decision on Gay Marriage yesterday.
Right now you will hear from some "Social (Biblical?!)
Social Justice Christians" and many Social Progressives say pejoratively:
"There, there, [regardless how 'hateful' and 'intolerant'] your beliefs
and practices on this issue are safe and unassailable... The Constitution
protects you..."
Look, Presidents come and go, the Legislative Branch
"evolves," and the ideological makeup of SCOTUS Justices change...
It's simply naive and pollyannic to believe anything to the contrary... We are
in the midst of an inexorable, winner-take-all, worldview battle, that is being
won through duplicity, intimidation and sheer will and grit... In addition, as
long as they have time, and we lack conviction and resolve, they will win...
So, Gird your loins...
If the state eventually moves to coerced marriages for
churches on behalf of the LGBTQ demographic, then we will move to a
"Matrimonial Blessing Ceremony," following their marriage being
solemnized by the state. For many Christians then in view of the Laws of the
state and the Laws of God, it will become a two tiered process. The state will
legally officiate (we will remove ourselves completely from this equation) the
heterosexual marriage and our church will perform the Christian Blessing of it.
Our part will not be legally binding, but for many who choose to participate,
it will be for them, spiritually binding... Thus, for many of these believers,
this two part process, will equate in their hearts, the completion of their
matrimonial responsibilities. But I, as well as others like me, will no longer
officiate a state sanctioned marriage.
Understand, I recognized that we live in a post-christian
world, they can believe and practice as they see fit, but it does not follow
that I/we have to assist them. Nor should we be forced to do so...
"...We must obey God rather than man."
Acts 5:29
Let's be clear...
The Over-Culture is saying: "If you (simply) BELIEVE
that homosexuality etc. is wrong and sinful, you are not being loving and
tolerant."
(Most) Christians who disagree with Homosexuality etc. ARE
saying: "We love authenticity those who embrace homosexuality etc. but we
still believe it to be wrong and sinful."
This is much of the battle line; and one of which has become
inherently obfuscated... Intentionally so by some, and arrived at in an
undisciplined fashion by others...
The inability for many Christians to grasp this vital
distinction is mind-numbing... and I have to believe largely because of their
blind, unwitting and subjective immersion in Social Progressivist ideology.
Note: If, in the 1980's, it was inappropriate for Conservative Christians to be
too friendly with Political Conservatives, it is most certainly inappropriate
(even dire) for Social Justice Christians to be bosom buddies with Social
Progressives. Both entities are inherently political.
One of the great victories of Social Progressivism within
the church, is to pit the attributes of God, against each othet. E.g. Love vs.
Truth; Grace vs. Holiness etc.
Finally, the issue writ large is really much bigger than
just whether homosexuality and gay marriage is right or wrong. It is being used
quite effectively as a "wedge issue" to alienate and delegitimize the
Historic-traditional Christian community from the culture...
Christ-likeness means more than just "Grace,"
"Love, and "(social) "Justice;" It ALSO means obedience,
righteousness and holiness... (Matt 5:18-19). Again, What Social Progressivism
and Social Justice Christians have done so well, that is so demonic, is to pit
the attributes of God against themselves...
Yesterday's SCOTUS decision was a watershed issue, and a
MAJOR victory for the Social Progressivist UNFOLDING AGENDA, that will begin to
dramatically change the course of Christian Faith and Practice permanently...
It's not about whether we love those who think and practice their sexuality
differently than us; but rather whether Christians will be permitted to believe
and practice what they have done in a 3 thousand year old tradition... Make no
mistake…
An important caveat to my earlier post regarding "Same
Sex Marriage."
1. When our culture was dominated by the Judaeo-Christian
world-view some decades ago there was in our representational form of
government, a compelling and legitimate, "legal" argument against
Same-Sex Marriage.
2. Today, ideologically, we live in a "Post
Judaeo-Christian" culture; with the dominate worldview being that of
"Social Progressivism."
3. Writ large (and this is very complicated) but on the
whole, I don't believe that inherently Christian values should be forced
legislatively/judicially; or imposed upon a non-Christian people (even if I
believe they are better and more healthy); particularly when, through their
value structure, they are clearly and openly rejecting them.
4. Importantly, I don't believe that issues like Same Sex
Marriage can or should be argued as an inalienable Civil Right, but rather from
a representational point of view. If theologically Conservative Christians are
going to change the Culture (missionally) then it must be done predominately
from the HEART, in theirs as well as others... Christians changed polygamy in
other cultures historically, not because they changed laws, but rather because
through them, Christ changed their hearts...
5. However, issues represented by the Majority, should not
be license for silencing and punishing the Minority (historically this has
happened from both sides). Currently the standard practice of conflating
sincere and authentic dissent synonymously with "hate" and
"intolerance," is quite simply intellectually dishonest and
manipulative...
6. Reality: In terms of their final ideological outcomes,
Social Progressivism and Christianity (as well as other faiths - not the least
of which is Islam), are quite simply mortal enemies... The former seeks to
worship an evolving "man-god," while the other seeks to worship a
God, who would make (the faithful and obedient) man, like Him...
7. There are two great chasms emerging, (even as I write
this, that are becoming deeper, wider and longer), within our culture between:
A. Historic-Creedal-Theologically Conservative Christianity and the Culture
ideologically dominated by Social Progressivists; B.
Historic-Credal-Theologically Christianity and Christians who have syncretized
and blended themselves with Social Progressivist Ideology.***
8. Long Range Prognosis for the culture as it pertains to
all sides, for so many different and complex reasons... Very Poor... "Gird
Your Loins..."
9. Read Ephesians 6... In regards to the
"Over-Culture," It explains sooo much...
10. Regardless of what the sin and who the sinner,
Christians are called to be obedient when it comes to loving one another,
EXACTLY in the fullness, like Christ does and would. There can be no variance
or vacillation on this principle...
***Usually through highly selective reading of scripture, as
well as privileging certain attributes of Christ against other attributes of
Christ. I.e. Christ-likeness means only the exercise of his (e.g.) Love vs His
Truth; Grace (Tolerance) vs. His Holiness; Kindness vs. His Law (I.e. A matrix
of antinomianism and autonomianism).
