This House is falling... or is it?

Christianity is under attack!!! There is a seemingly unwitting, malicious, and spurious plot to undermine the very values that define Christianity, while kowtowing to the secular values of our post-Christian, ‘politically-correct,’ western societies. What makes this attack even more dangerous is the fact that it comes, not from the secular culture which we have foolishly deemed to be the enemy, but from elements of our own, who purportedly profess the same faith that we do. Sadly, much of this ‘distancing’ from Biblical values is done under the guise of being culturally relevant and accommodating of others that don’t believe the way we do.

I have spent the last couple of days ‘devouring’ my copy of the September 2008 edition of Charisma and Christian Life magazine. As I read one story after another, I cannot tell you how truly disheartened I am at the extent of our insensate approach to what is ostensibly our well intentioned attempt to ‘love’ and accept people, no matter what that looks like or how it impacts the true witness of the Gospel message. Our message has become the epitome of the maxim, “The end justifies the means.” Let me unequivocally state: I’m convinced that this continued watering down of the Gospel will only serve to enervate and weaken our already unflattering image among non-Christians who are searching for truth.

Before you begin to rebuke me for going on a seemingly pointless diatribe, let me show you a few examples of what I’m talking about. There has been a tremendous amount of vituperation directed towards the Anglican Church in recent years, following their wide acceptance and ordination of homosexual clergy in North America. Here are some excerpts from an article by Nicole Schiavi in the September issue of Charisma magazine.

“Conservative Anglicans gathered in Jerusalem to formulate a declaration that drew a clear line between conservative and liberal camps in the Anglican body while opting not to break away from the traditional church. The Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) was held in response to deep dissent in the Anglican Communion over the ordination of gay clergy in North America and the denial by some of the divinity of Jesus… “What we have here today is not just Africa and the global South, but truly a global coming together of Anglicans from around the world…” said the Most Rev. Peter Akinola of Nigeria, a primate and chairman of GAFCON…. Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, who did not sanction the Jerusalem gathering, called GAFCON’s proposals “problematic” and illegitimate. “Any claim to be free to operate across provincial boundaries is fraught with difficulties, both theological and practical,” the archbishop said.”

Excuse me!?! Did I read the archbishop right? Operating across provincial boundaries poses theological difficulties? Is there a ‘relevant’ gospel that is specific for each culture? Shouldn’t the so-called head of the Anglican Church be concerned that the very essence of his faith is being plundered and marginalized? Or is it suddenly okay to have a group of Anglican ministers believing that Jesus is not Deity, all in the name of being tolerant? When’s the last time he read the Bible, and when he did, could he have missed the verse which says, “Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.” (I John 2: 22 ESV) Trust me folks, you want to come back tomorrow for more of this, it gets better!