Sometimes I feel as though I know what it must have been like to walk in the shoes of the first Century Christians. Once you have been introduced to Jesus and decided you want a deep, abiding relationship with Him, you often find yourself at odds with Society's standards and principles of behavior. I'm not talking about becoming hypocritically religious, which can look like the Pharisees, whom Jesus called "whitewashed tombs, beautiful on the outside, but full of dead men's bones and every kind of impurity". No, I'm talking about how we walk among our fellow citizens, who reject and spurn our God and our decisions to try and live righteous lives.
I'm actually thinking of what it must have been like to live in a society that was steeped in the worship of pagan gods and the rituals of sacrifice to an unholy deity. At every turn these early Christians were met with pagan images, symbols, and icons on personal items, public buildings, temples, over doorposts and even in the response to a sneeze: "Jupiter, bless you!" But are we that different? Americans drink out of Starbucks cups emblazoned with a pagan goddess/seductress (attributed to Lilith, Mélusine, or various Nordic pagan sirens). Less subtle, but nonetheless prolific is the increasingly obvious appearance of Baphomet, the goat-headed man with hermaphrodite features who is prominent in Freemason and Knights Templar lore. [NOTE: In 2014, a statue of this pagan icon was made and suggested by Satanists to be placed at the Oklahoma State Capitol building in opposition to the Ten Commandments statue. Thankfully, the state's Supreme Court overruled this proposition. The same thing happened in Arkansas in 2018].
But, still, our society is full of logos and symbols that provide subliminal messages regarding pagan and unbiblical ideology. For example, there is the Apple logo, applauding the temptation of Eve; and the CBS logo depicting the all-seeing eye of Horus, an ancient Egyptian god who is supposed to represent well-being, healing, and protection. We are also inundated nearly everyday with the Disney logo, and its hidden 666 motif. [Note: You might think I'm over-reaching in my statement regarding the beloved Disney franchise, but I invite you to read a couple of my past posts, here and here]. And before I move on, consider the Chrysler logo: which incorporates the winged god Ahura Mazda. "Mazda" means wisdom, while "Ahura" stands for lord in Avestan, an Iranian language. It is also the name of the god of the Iranian religion Zoroastrianism. While, we as Christians, do not legitimize the pagan religious underpinnings of these symbols and logos, they still are exercising hidden and unconscious spiritual influence in our realm.
We can also see the effects of the power of hidden pagan rituals in our culture, whether we are conscious of them or not. Abortion is the perfect example. The sacrifice of children is a ritual thousands of years old. We are all familiar with the horrific sacrifices of children to the pagan god, Molek [or Molech], in the Bible. Leviticus 18:21 specifically says, "You must not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molek, for you must not profane [desecrate, treat with disrespect] the name of your God." But are you familiar with Numbers 5:11-31, where instructions are given for inducing an abortion... it is known as a test for an unfaithful wife [or adultery test], a ritual to be used by priests against women accused by their husbands of unfaithfulness. The ritual involves the drinking of "bitter water", a concoction that will abort any pregnancy that results from "having sexual relations with a man other than their husband".
So, by now you're probably thinking, what am I supposed to do with this information, or maybe, how do I walk out my faith in a corrupt and sinful world that promulgates and promotes ideology that displeases our holy God and offends me? While we are to necessarily avoid partaking or agreeing in such practices, we are also told to show the love of Christ to others in the hopes of leading them to abandon their sinful ways and accept Jesus's invitation for eternal life.
Although we disagree with these practices and belief systems because of our faith, we also have a part to play in the public life of our society. How are we to walk that tightrope? Let me share the Roman Christian theologian and writer, Tertullian's comments to those whom we are not in agreement with (c. 155 - c. 220): We live in the world with you. We do not forsake forum ... or bath ... or workshop, or inn, or market, or any other place of commerce. We sail with you, fight with you, farm with you ... We do not go to your feasts but we patronize your industries. We do not buy laurel crowns but we buy flowers. We do not buy incense for temples but we do for burial. We do not contribute to the temples but we give more for alms than you do. We improve business in that we do not defraud.
In other words, we recognize that we are in this world, but are not of this world; we are in a foreign kingdom and not in our true home. We are not to love this world or anything in it; so while we are to love others as Jesus loved them, we are not to compromise our Christian morals or God's Word. And that can certainly mean that we will be hated and ridiculed when confronted with a moral dilemma like that which has arisen around a new reality series, called "Back to the Frontier", and hosted by Christian couple Chip and Joanna Gaines, stars of the hit series, "Fixer Upper".
The controversy has arisen because the Gaines's intentionally included a same-sex couple on the show. The show transports three families back to the 1880s where they have to give up modern comforts in exchange for a horse and buggy lifestyle. While I have never seen the show, apparently there has been a strong backlash against the show and its hosts by their largely Christian audience. And the hosts are angry at Believers who do not condone what can be construed as approval for an unbiblical view of human sexuality, marriage, and family. Gaines has fired back, saying, "It's a sad Sunday when 'non believers' have not been confronted with hate or vitriol until they are introduced to a modern American Christian... It's too much to ask of our modern American Christian culture to talk, ask questions,listen or maybe even learn... [Instead] we judge first, and understand later ... or never".
Now, here's the response from the same-sex spouses .... "Representation matters deeply -- especially for those who are still finding the courage to live their truth. When families like ours are visible, it opens doors for others to feel safe, loved, and validated. Visibility isn't just about being seen; it's about making sure no one feels alone." Ironically, I'm concerned that Christians are increasingly made to feel alone for their beliefs as we watch our faith belittled and our culture accepting and agreeing with lifestyles that our God does not condone. I find it difficult to find any TV show or movie that does not push the gay lifestyle, to the point of including graphic sex scenes.
What makes me really sad is that I have come to know many gay people, some whom I consider good friends. But we respect each other and I never feel that they expect me to compromise my beliefs in my faith. At the same time, I know that God loves them and we are all sinners. I pray that He convicts them of their sins, just as I want Him to convict me of mine. I thought it was interesting that the same-sex couple defended those "who are still finding the courage to live their truth". But in doing so, they are blinded to the fact that it is God's truth we are to live. I agree with Franklin Graham, who when commenting on this social firestorm, said,"While we are to love people, we should love them enough to tell them the truth of God's Word. His Word is absolute Truth. God love us, and His design for marriage is between one man and one woman. Promoting something that God defines as sin is in itself, sin".
So, our Society and Culture are continuing to ramp up the promotion of sin and rebellion against God's Truth and His ways. But why are we surprised? The Bible tells us it will happen, and that we will be hated, just as our Lord and Savior was. As Society embraces, more and more, the sins of this world, we will find ourselves trying to navigate those minefields and hazards that threaten to overcome us as we struggle to defend the Faith while loving others. It's time to straighten our backbone and strengthen our resolve to represent Christ in times of perseverance and endurance. We must be prepared to stand in strength of character and firm dedication to Christ, while we correct in Love as we guide others to righteousness with the help of the Holy Spirit. We are about to enter a new paradigm of what it means to be a true Christian. May we have the determination and strength of will that our First Century Brethren embodied. God be with us!
1 John 2:17. The world is passing away, and with it its lusts [the shameful pursuits and ungodly longings]; but the one who does the will of God and carries out His purposes lives forever.
