Times are-a-changing in Canada. Where once held Judeo-Christian beliefs were the norm in our Nation, they are now seen as vehemently opposed to modern cultural values. There are numerous court cases where freedom of speech and freedom of religion have been drugged out into the open to be challenged with support from politicians and lawmakers. As Dorothy once told Toto in The Wizard of Oz, "We're not in Kansas anymore."
I have lived as a Christian for over one-half of a century, and I have served in Christian ministry for over four decades. To this point, my faith has cost me little more than a bit of scoffing and mild ridicule. I have worshipped at will and shared my faith convictions without fear of serious reprisal. All the while, I have enjoyed the benefits and opportunities of the extravagant society in which I live.
It has been a wonderful thing, appealing greatly to my natural desire for creature comfort. But in reality, the Post Second World War era in the Western World has been an abnormal blip on the radar of two millennia of Christian history. This rather prolonged period of practising faith in a safe and receptive environment has not been the experience of the majority of 'post-Pentecost' followers of Jesus.
The easy living, glide-through-life, days for Canadian Christians may soon be seen only in the ‘rear view mirror’ of time. Nominal faith may be tolerated but tenacious faith will begin to cost us something substantive. Perhaps, it may cost us everything. There is a distinct line that has been drawn in the sand. Through it all, I hear the voice of Joshua, calling down through the centuries of time into our world. His call is clear - "Choose you this day whom you will serve. As for me and my house [come hell or high water], we will serve the Lord" - Joshua 24:15 [brackets mine].
How do we respond to an increasingly aggressive, anti-faith agenda?
We must respond appropriately! A 'non' response is simply a form of acceptance. As guardians of righteousness, we must address cultural trends which clearly contravene primary Scriptural truth. We must respond, but that response must be grace-filled, love-motivated, non-combative yet clear, resolute, and unwavering. Caustic, nasty, unkind language from Christ's followers falls below the baseline for acceptable discipleship. Responses, condemnatory in nature, do nothing to change issues and only serve to erect higher barriers. The Gospel is all about knocking walls down, not erecting them. But, on the other hand, silence is acquiescence. The voice of righteousness needs to be heard crying in the market square. It must be the positive voice of reason and hope. Cursing the darkness does nothing to diminish it. Light is the only antidote to darkness, and "we are the light of the world. So let's let our light shine before men that they might see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:14).
We must dive deep into Scripture to be able to establish a concrete foundation under our own life and then, as leaders, bravely take our congregations in the same direction. There is a dearth of knowing, understanding and 'rightly dividing' the Word of God. Many polls indicate that believers do not ever engage with the Word of God, and many Christian leaders only open the Bible in a limited and sporadic way. Christians are vacillating in their opinions on social issues, matters which are given clear direction in the Bible. There is a famine in the land, not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord (Amos 8:11). The influence of the Church in culture will diminish in proportion to the distance it drifts from the Word of God. We are not commissioned to preach psycho-babble, self-help or personal opinion. We have been called to preach, teach, and live the tenants of righteousness as espoused in the Bible. We must ensure that the people we serve have exposure to the Word of God. It is the only antidote effective in counteracting a non-ending bombardment of antichrist rhetoric from other forms of hostile media. His Word is still a lamp to our feet and a light to our paths (Psalm 119:105).
We must accept the fact that those who believe in Jesus and are vocal about their faith might be censored for it. The cost of passionate faith in Christ in Canada could be involuntary forfeiture of many of the privileges we have enjoyed. These perks, which have made our lives comfortable, are not inalienable rights. But this is not a cause for despair! Church history teaches that opposition and persecution have always served as catalysts for a rapid acceleration in Kingdom-of-God growth. Facing the most difficult circumstances and the severest opposition, the Church experiences the greatest opportunities for the advance of the Gospel. Deliberate, diabolical attempts to eradicate the Christian faith from culture have never succeeded in diminishing its transformational power. Nothing can stop a Church populated by people who are willing to suffer the loss of all things for the cause of Christ. Check out for yourself the places in the world where the Gospel is flourishing: wonderful testimonies coming at a high price.
So, let's address the issues that are bringing more and more people into confusion and bondage. Ignoring them will not discourage their advance. Let's speak to issues wisely, respectfully, boldly and gently, not being deterred by push-back or resistance. Let's anchor our life firmly in the inspired Word of God and lead our people to a new appreciation for the Bible as God's road map through the maze of life. Let's be so filled with "Good News" that it overflows, flying in the face of the avalanche of the negativism we see constantly. Let's celebrate the fact that the One who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world, and 'faith is the victory that overcomes the world.' Let's listen to Paul and put on the full armour of God so that when the day of evil comes, we may be able to stand our ground and, after we have done everything to remain standing (Ephesians 6:13). In our struggle against sin, none of us have yet resisted to the point of shedding our blood. (Hebrews 12:4).
Al is an experienced pastor and counselor who works out of our ABNWT District Resource Centre in Edmonton as the Pastoral Care Coordinator. A pastor to the pastors, Al is a friend, mentor, and confidante to all.