We Must Protect and Preserve the Precious
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus described His followers as the “salt of the earth.” Salt protects and preserves the precious. Let me clearly describe several irrefutable precious truths we must vigorously protect or, as He warned, the very things entrusted to our watch-care will be trampled under the feet of people who disregard sacred truths.
I. Marriage and the family are the fundamental social institutions.
Conjugal marriage and the family are the two most basic human institutions. They exist in every time and place, and they precede the state. The state and other institutions don‘t define or determine what marriage and family are, but they must recognize them. That‘s why political attempts to redefine marriage and family are not tolerant but totalitarian. They are wars against the creation itself. We must oppose the trends in our culture and in our politics with all our might.
At the same time we must support policies that encourage healthy families. This requires discernment, since every half-baked bill proposed in Congress claims to be pro-family. As we‘ve seen, however, many policies create incentives that harm the family. Remember what the welfare state did to marriage and family in poor communities in the United States? Divorce rates, out-of-wedlock births, and fatherless homes have risen in every class in the United States in the last fifty years, but the decay has been catastrophic in poor communities, where the welfare state has mostly replaced the traditional roles of the father and the Church. This tragic unintended consequence suggests a rule of thumb: If a policy surrenders territory to the state that ought to be part of civil society, that policy will harm rather than help families in the long run.
II. We can know God and moral truth.
Contrary to today‘s fashion, the American Founders understood that everyone has a general knowledge of the natural moral law and the Lawgiver. From the starry heavens above to the moral law within, the world points to its Creator. That‘s why even atheists know that murder is wrong, experience feelings of gratitude and guilt, bristle at injustice, and get mad at the God they don‘t believe in when unjust things happen around them. We can discern enough of the law “from the things that have been made” so that we can be held accountable for what we do (Romans 1).
The existence of a Creator and a natural law are public truths. This is why the Founders appealed to the “Laws of Nature and Nature’s God,” though they still took pains not to establish a specific religion. Even the Supreme Court, which hasn’t always respected this part of our history, reiterated these points as recently as 1984, stating, “We are a religious people whose institutions presuppose a Supreme Being.”
Secularism and progressivism, however, deny that we can know God and morality. They seek to quarantine both to a ghetto of private religious faith. This has created a secular and relativistic public square, which is exactly the opposite of what the Founders intended. We must reverse this trend and defend the truth that man has real moral knowledge, which is the foundation of just government.
III. Judeo-Christian religious faith guards our freedom.
Though everyone has some knowledge of God and morality, that knowledge is darkened by sin. It tends to wither away without vibrant faith to reinforce it. We should stand with the Founders, who both opposed the establishment of a specific religion and supported robust expressions of religious faith in the public square. That‘s not a contradiction. It is, quite simply, the free exercise of religion guaranteed by the First Amendment.
Contrary to secularist myth, faith in the public square need not imperil our freedom. It‘s true that, in the past, Christians have persecuted others, including fellow Christians. But they were violating the spirit and content of their faith in doing so. While not every religious belief is friendly to freedom, the basic tenets of Christianity reinforce political, economic, and religious freedom. As we’ve seen, we owe our freedoms, in large part, to the Judeo-Christian tradition. It‘s where we get our belief that individuals have equal value. It’s also where we get the idea of sin, which inspired the Founders to establish a limited government and a separation of powers.
Faith encourages the virtues that help sustain the free society. It gives us hope in the future, which is under the providence of God, while preventing us from falling for utopian fantasies like the communist illusions that killed scores of millions of people in the twentieth century.
We must do our best to correct the false stereotype that faith feeds theocracy and defend the freedom of believers to apply their faith to the concerns of the day.
IV. We’re all sinners.
Evil is not just in our imaginations. We can‘t eradicate it with the right amount of social engineering or positive thinking. We sin. Though we can know God exists, some forget. Though we can know the truth, we may fail to uphold it. We do the very things we don‘t want to do. We are tempted by wealth, power, prestige, lust, gluttony, and greed, and often give in to those temptations.
We not only fail to do what we know we ought to do, but we also get confused about what we ought to do. Politically, this puts us in an awkward position. On the one hand, we need a government to punish evil and bear the sword. On the other hand, the very sin that needs to be restrained can only be restrained by other sinners. J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, once told his son, “The most improper job of any man, even saints (who at any rate were at least unwilling to take it on), is bossing other men. Not one in a million is fit for it, and least of all those who seek the opportunity.”
The solution is a government limited in scope but strong enough to restrain sin that harms others.
Adapted from New York Times bestselling book INDIVISIBLE: Restoring Faith, Family and Freedom Before It’s Too Late.
This article was written by James Robison and Jay Richards
8 comments:
Honoring leaders and being subject to them does not mean that a believer must blindly obey everything. There are limits to obedience. But we cannot show disrespect simply because we are not shown the respect we deserve. What if the government tells us to do something immoral or antibiblical, or if the government tells us not to do what God said we should do? The apostle Peter gave us perhaps the best statement of a principle to follow when he said, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). Peter made that comment because the religious leaders (who had a great deal of power over Jewish life even under the rule of the occupying Roman forces) were trying to get Peter to stop speaking publicly about Christ. Peter and John had previously told the authorities that if it came down to whether they would obey God or man, they would obey God (Acts 4:19-20).
We can find several examples of people who resisted evil government policies. The midwives in Egypt refused to murder the newborn Hebrew boys (Ex. 1:15-21). Moses asked Pharaoh for permission to let the Israelites leave Egypt. Moses wouldn’t take no for an answer because he knew he was doing God’s will (Ex. 2-7). Daniel participated in various government administrations, but he drew the line when asked to violate his religious convictions (Dan. 1,6). Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego refused to participate when the king ordered all citizens to become idolaters (Dan. 3). Rahab refused to be part of the resistance to the invasion of God’s people (Josh. 2). God was clearly with the conquering Jews. Amos spoke out during a time of judicial corruption (5:7), immorality (2:7). Queen Esther disobeyed official protocol in an effort to save her people from annihilation demanded by unjust laws promoted by evil men (Est. 5). Paul sought to obey those in authority, even suffering unjustly, though he refused to keep his mouth shut about Jesus Christ (Acts 13-28). John the Baptist spoke out against the immoral lives of king Herod and his wife, even though he faced prison (Mt. 14:1-12).
Most of us are woefully ignorant of political issues, and few are actively involved in influencing the political process. But there are good reasons we should care enough to be involved. Jesus said to His followers, “You are the salt of the earth . . . . You are the light of the world” (Mt. 5:13-14). Salt functions as a preservative and adds flavoring to foods. Light drives away the darkness. At the very least, then, for believers in Christ to function as salt and light means that by our words and actions we are to uphold and promote God’s standards and help people to see the truth about life and God. Our lives are to make a difference in preventing the decay of our society. When the traditional beliefs of a nation erode, the nation dies. Unfortunately, this nation has embarked on a journey to maintain a society without a moral values. The Ten Commandments are pulled from the walls, and religious values are stripped from the public square. Christian principles are no longer taught in the public schools and often ridiculed in the arenas of education and media. One has to wonder what the fate of our country will be in the future and our children and grandchildren.
You state, “We must do our best to correct the false stereotype that faith feeds theocracy and defend the freedom of believers to apply their faith to the concerns of the day.” Is that statement really true? I don’t think so. Why is it that people who would never let anyone else force their view of morality on them, want so desperately to force their morality on someone else? You can say well this is what God says thats why. The only problem with that is that not everyone believes that. Your view of freedom is only free for you and those of your ilk, not everyone. If God is going to judge someone for being a homosexual, why don’t you let Him worry about doing that? Is all your God worried about the sexual practices you believe to be perversion? I ask this because evangelicals seem to focus on this issue more than anything else, even though a lot of them turn out to be leading double lives when it comes to sex. You religious right types seem so fixated on sex. And yet when it comes to the uber greed that exists in this country, you spin it and say that anyone who complains about it is just envious and has an entitlement mentality. You guys rarely talk about the horrid greed that is so rampant in this country. I guess you can’t afford all of those rich republicans not writing you all a fat check eh? Ah but its always the other guy who covets right? Sorry, but most of what you write is just right wing politics salted and peppered with some bible here and there. I don’t expect you will post this, but i hope that at least one person reads it and that person can think for their self.
So not wanting to redefine marriage is forcing my morality on you? If that’s how you view it, then there is a long list of things that Americans desire to “force” on you. For example, the majority of Americans do not want to legalize cocaine. They will force their morality on you. They do not want to eliminate the speed limits on our freeways. They will force their morality on you. They do not wish to legalize murder. They will force their morality on you. They do not want to change the US-Mexican border from the Rio Grande back to the original Nueces River. They will force their morality on you.
It can get ridiculous, as you can see. But the reality is that Americans do not care whom you legally and consensually have sex with. Even those who believe that choosing to engage in homosexual acts is antithetical to nature and God do not seek to punish you for that choice. But when you demand that the rest of us change our definition of marriage to suit your liking, that’s when we simply say “no.” Marriage is originally a church institution and you cannot take that away.
It’s notable that this column was not about sex. You brought that up. And if you want to read about greed, just go through the archives. It’s repeatedly condemned.
-editor
A coalition of black churches has denounced a move by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People to endorse same-sex marriage.
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2012/May/Black-Churches-Denounce-NAACP-Gay-Marriage-Stance/
So, when the Supreme Court overturned Plessy V. Ferguson, they were forcing their morality on the innocent racists of the nation and were thus in the wrong? Look, we’re not asking you to change your definition of marriage. You can believe in whatever you want to believe in, but you can’t expect GLBTQ people to just sit back and accept their status as second class citizens because certain Christians don’t like the idea of them getting married. By insisting that no one offend you oh-so-delicate sensibilities, you institutionalize the same kind of tyranny that exists when you visit your crazy sister-in-law and can’t criticize any of her stupid paintings of puppies. I don’t want to live in a country that’s basically run by a hyper-Christian version of my brother’s neurotic wife, so, yes, you should be forced to deal with a world where a man can marry another man, just like racists in the 60′s were suddenly forced to deal with the idea that black people could drink from the same water fountain as them. Suck it up and deal with it, you can still complain to your followers on the internet.
So, when the Supreme Court overturned Plessy V. Ferguson, they were forcing their morality on the innocent racists of the nation and were thus in the wrong?
Yes, the Supreme Court was, essentially, forcing their morality on people. Innocent people? No, of course not. They were correct in doing so.
Look, we’re not asking you to change your definition of marriage.
Yes, you are. Otherwise, the status quo of the entire history of our nation’s laws would suffice. You wish to change them.
You can believe in whatever you want to believe in, but you can’t expect GLBTQ people to just sit back and accept their status as second class citizens because certain Christians don’t like the idea of them getting married.
Yes, I can. But take comfort in that you’re not alone. We expect polygamists, pedophiles, those against interracial marriage, those for pre-arranged marriages, and other abberations to “one man, one woman” marriage to also accept our laws.
By insisting that no one offend you oh-so-delicate sensibilities, you institutionalize the same kind of tyranny that exists when you visit your crazy sister-in-law and can’t criticize any of her stupid paintings of puppies.
This is a bizarre analogy that I cannot relate to.
I don’t want to live in a country that’s basically run by a hyper-Christian version of my brother’s neurotic wife, so, yes, you should be forced to deal with a world where a man can marry another man, just like racists in the 60′s were suddenly forced to deal with the idea that black people could drink from the same water fountain as them.
Again, this is so strange that it’s difficult to find a strand of reason. Because of your brother’s wife, America should change the marriage laws? Not a good enough reason, sorry. And supporting traditional marriage is a far cry from segregating water fountains. Race and sexual choices are not on the same level. Not even close. You dishonor the civil rights movement with such comparisons.
Suck it up and deal with it, you can still complain to your followers on the internet.
And I can still vote, as even the most left-leaning states have done, to uphold marriage as one man and one woman. But even if every state voted otherwise, I would stand by the Word of God.
Your original message is in normal font. My responses are in bold.
Yes this can get ridiculous. I personally am not interested in redefining marriage but i do not hear you giving the homosexuals any answers to the problem of their desires.As with any sin, God offers freedom.
Just as so many hetro sexuals can not seem to control themselves and I guarantee you that many of them are sitting in churches every Sunday. By the way, I am a married man for 21 years with two kids and I sympathize with those who have these desires and no one to tell them how to change it. I asked you this before and will again, When someone, anyone for that matter believes in Jesus, does there sin problem disappear?
No, but the power to overcome it enters into his or her life. We are not free from the battle, but free to fight the battle and win.
You know it doesn’t. Do you really want people to overcome this, something most of them believe their born with, or do you just want a hear and now political kingdom in this world because thats the way you imagine it should be?
We want everyone to experience God’s power over sin, which we are all born into. Jesus said that’s why we must be “born again.”
How about trying to convince some of your fellow preachers to stop saying things like this fool about gays and lesbians. Trying to police everyone’s opinions is not a good use of time. Speaking the truth and offering hope is much better. There is to much of this in the evangelical world and you can hear all the amens when this imbecil calls for peoples deaths. [URL removed]
We both recognize the foolishness of such things. Let’s move beyond it.
These folks are human beings just like you are and they are made of flesh and blood just like you are. I went to the same church for 15 years and listened to this same kind of junk from leaders who spoke of humility while they held their heads up so high thats it is a wonder they didn’t fall on their face. They had no compassion for the ravaged people of war in the middle east that were never a threat to this country. They thought George Bush was the next best thing to Jesus and they were complete control freaks who used the sovereignity of God to excuse almost everything.
Avoid such people.
You tell me James Robison, what would you say to a grieving Christian mother whos 25 year old son who was gay and took his own life?
I would offer compassion and urge her to find comfort in our loving Savior.
Would you tell her that she will never see that boy ever again and that God is punishing that child forever because he was gay?
I would not justify sin, but also say that Jesus came into the world not to condemn us, but that we might be saved.
If God could change that boy and turn him into what he expected then why wouldn’t God do that?
Same reason we all sin. God gives us a free will. To those bound by the enemy, God offers freedom, forgiveness, and restoration.
Certainly none of us have just the sheer will to change ourselves. If that were true, why would the bible say that apart from Christ we are helpless, dead in sins and trespasses?
Again, we need God’s transforming power. All of us, regardless of the spiritual stronghold that oppresses us.
I really would like you to give me some answers, If you do not want to post this then send me a reply via e-mail, you have my address. If you really believe that people are hurting like I have heard you say plenty of times then please, give some answers for real change not just the political partisan stuff that the republican party has never been serious about in the first place. By the way, i am glad that you condemn greed but from the looks of our world that doesn’t seem to be changing either.
I will always hold up God’s truth and standards, whether anyone listens or not!
I wish more people would have the attitude that you expressed in this response and I do listen to what people have to say. I thank you for responding. I wish that the Christian Community would speak of the mercy of Jesus Christ instead of railing against those who have know Idea about what to do concerning same sex desires or any sin for that matter and yes one should avoid such people, trouble is they are everywhere. I do not think it does any good to call people perverts or sodomites or any other deregatory name. I tell you what, have some one in your family that struggles with same sex desire, some one you love and then have Christians say this kind of thing and then try not to be offended. I believe in Jesus Christ, I believe He is God, I believe He died for our sins, I believe He rose from the dead. I also hope that he will save those who He said, ” he who calls upon me, I will in no wise cast out”. I do not wish to justify anyones sin either but I also know that most of us are much worse sinners than we would ever admit I really have know idea how you measure someones sin as to where it keeps someone out of God’s kingdom. We all have it, the believer resists it at times and fails way to often. I have been told that it is only those who practice sin that will not inheirit the kingdom of God. But what does it mean to practice sin? When is a habit a habit? I have know preachers who seem habitually proud and God says that He hates that, Are they lost? How about the Proverb that says a false balance is an abomination to the Lord. You think any of that exists today? If salvation is not totally by grace even if ones faith is no larger than a mustard seed, then I don’t know how anyone can ever make it. I hope that God is much more merciful than many of the fundamentalist make Him out to be. If He is not, none of us will ever make it. I am sure you and I would have many political disagreements James, But I think you are a decent man and I am glad you feed all of the children in Africa that you do. Please, whatever you think of those who are homosexuals, know this, there are those of us whose children happen to be this way and those children were raised in church and taught Christian values and heard the gospel on a regular basis and still say the can not overcome these desires. Heaven won’t be a heaven to me with out my child being there with me and his mother, We have said plenty of prayers over my son, he is a talented boy who according to the Psalmist was a gift from God to us. Will God now let that boy perish into an eternal darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth? At times I struggle to make sense of it all. I will not stop loving my child no matter what he happens to be and I bet you wouldn’t either. Anyway, thanks for answering. That does reflect a humility that I have not found in very many evangelicals these days. Sincerely, Highflyer