The world has long despised the biblical Christian. The percent of those expressing the “enlightened” view that biblical Christianity is evil and immoral, has sky rocketed. That being the case, shouldn't it be elementary that we take care to not fulfill the hypocritical stereotypes the world has assigned to us? This thought came to mind when the off the cuff remarks of a North Carolina pastor made national headlines recently. The pastor was doing what fundamentalist pastors have done for the last fifty years, preaching extemporaneously and at times saying things which are tongue in cheek. The problem is that when speaking informally people often aren't as careful as they should be. There are jokes or halfhearted sarcasms which we wouldn't put on YouTube, but we might share with a close friend or family member. Pastors have to realize that they are on a much bigger stage today. There are phones with video capability which can take excerpts from messages and make it seem we are saying things that we aren't. It is possible to try and destroy someone with their own words taken out of context, but sarcasm or hyperbole can be hard to defend. The problem we have has several components.
One thing to consider is that the enemies of God are watching and trying to catch every slip to fit their agenda. More care should go into every public proclamation. Prayer should bath every message regardless of the familiarity of the subject matter. If the enemy uses our words against us, it should at least be Biblical. Fundamental pastors should be more precise in their messages. There should be less humor which plays into stereotypes and cliches. Vance Havner was one of the funniest preachers I've ever heard but he didn't do it with sarcasm or hurtful language.
Second, if we want to engage in the battle of ideas we should start with a Biblical foundation. Suggesting (even in jest) that the solution to homosexual sons is to punch them, is so far from biblical teaching as to be shocking. Is that what we should do about homosexuals? Shouldn't we be serious about this? Is this something to joke about?
Peter tells us that suffering for Christ is a great honor. In the same epistle, he warns against us suffering for doing evil. (cf I Peter 3:17). We are told in other places in the New Testament that we should suffer wrong rather than have the Lord disgraced (cf I Cor. 6:7). If New Testament teaching be such, why shouldn't we be as gracious as we can to our enemies? We all face different struggles and we are required to use the power at our disposal to overcome those natural tendencies. That being true, why do we (in fundamental circles) take such pride in using bully's language against those with whom we disagree? Shouldn't we, as Paul said, “suffer wrong” rather than give offense? One of the tools the Devil is using as a hammer against the Judeo Christian ethic in our day is “hate speech.” We are called “homophobic” and “hate” instigators. Shall we not do all in our power to overcome the human tendency “fight back?” Instead of using the language of the culture (post World War Two America) shouldn't we feel compassion on those who will suffer the flames of Hell forever?
The older I become, the more of the skirt of eternity I see. This insight has forced me to reconsider everything I say and do in light of the Bible rather than the 1950's southern culture with which I am familiar. It is truly the 'end times' isn't it? We must walk as circumspectly as possible. We must not be offensive in the manner we defend God's Word. We should take care because so much is at stake, we must take care because Eternity will be here for all soon enough.
