Good column. I have deep concerns abut the so-called “progressive” Christians I know and see on FB, incessantly posting pro-gay marriage links and articles that harshly (and, usually, snarkily) criticize any Christian of an orthodox faith as being “brain-less” or stupid or bigoted or morally deficient in some other way. Walsh here spells out the division quite accurately.
I should pray more for those who have been so sadly led astray by their “progressive” churches that support whatever “we” want to do.
A month ago I would have jumped on the Matt-Walsh bandwagon over this article. But the last two weeks in our adult Bible class (LCMS, Michelle), we got off track on this subject and our Pastor has gently led us to realize the damage we are doing by harping on this. In just our lifetime, the term “homosexual” has morphed from a definition of behavior to a description of identity. So whether we like it or not, these types of articles are seen as attacking individuals who identify as homosexual. His question to us is, “How comfortable do you think these folks would feel about walking into our building?” He is only 30, although very wise, so I believe he has a much different (and valid) perspective on the current generation and this old lady respects his teaching.
Anybody should be comfortable walking into our building. Anybody is welcome in the Family of God. They are not welcome to bring their sins and demand they be accepted as okay behavior. I have my sins, you have yours, we should be overcoming them in Christ, not telling everybody how wonderful the sins are and the other folk are bad for not welcoming the sins.
I think the Walsh blog (and I’m not usually that much a fan) nailed it. We don’t rattle this off to people walking into the church, of course, but as I see more and more Christian friends (and I do believe they are believers) being led so far astray on this, some things do need to be said.
To be honest, I think most of us have been quite silent on the issue (and I probably will continue in that vein). Frankly, I think there is more of a temptation in the church right now to be silent and to look the other way.
It seems to me after studying passages about “judging not” that the only people who can judge me are those who know me and have heard my situation–not those expressing an opinion on what they think and hear me say in a general setting.
OTOH, if I walk in and make statements designed to provoke, I shouldn’t be insulted when I get a response, though a mature believer would be temperate.
Typing off the top of my head here.
There’s a passage in Acts where I think Paul’s fellow tentmakers came across a man whose preaching was incomplete. They listened to him and then took him aside to correct his theology. Done in private, it worked.
But that man was not preaching to throw things in the face of Priscilla and Aquila–he had a teachable spirit.
I don’t see many teachable spirits these days in or out of the church. I don’t see many people willing to be submissive to those in authority over them–they’d rather fight and are convinced they are right and the rest are wrong–and a handful of other derogatory statements.
I constantly need to examine my attitudes–am I willing to be submissive to the Lord, even if it is uncomfortable? Am I willing to be sneered at by progressives or even smart family members? God looks at the attitude of my heart. If I’m willing to take offense so easily, why should I be surprised at young people who have little experience in the world?
Wandering Views 
Matt Walsh spoke a great deal of truth today: http://www.theblaze.com/contributions/no-christianity-should-not-welcome-or-include-your-sinful-lifestyle
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Good column. I have deep concerns abut the so-called “progressive” Christians I know and see on FB, incessantly posting pro-gay marriage links and articles that harshly (and, usually, snarkily) criticize any Christian of an orthodox faith as being “brain-less” or stupid or bigoted or morally deficient in some other way. Walsh here spells out the division quite accurately.
I should pray more for those who have been so sadly led astray by their “progressive” churches that support whatever “we” want to do.
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Thanks for the Matt Walsh article, Michelle, it was well said and an encouragement.
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A month ago I would have jumped on the Matt-Walsh bandwagon over this article. But the last two weeks in our adult Bible class (LCMS, Michelle), we got off track on this subject and our Pastor has gently led us to realize the damage we are doing by harping on this. In just our lifetime, the term “homosexual” has morphed from a definition of behavior to a description of identity. So whether we like it or not, these types of articles are seen as attacking individuals who identify as homosexual. His question to us is, “How comfortable do you think these folks would feel about walking into our building?” He is only 30, although very wise, so I believe he has a much different (and valid) perspective on the current generation and this old lady respects his teaching.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anybody should be comfortable walking into our building. Anybody is welcome in the Family of God. They are not welcome to bring their sins and demand they be accepted as okay behavior. I have my sins, you have yours, we should be overcoming them in Christ, not telling everybody how wonderful the sins are and the other folk are bad for not welcoming the sins.
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I think the Walsh blog (and I’m not usually that much a fan) nailed it. We don’t rattle this off to people walking into the church, of course, but as I see more and more Christian friends (and I do believe they are believers) being led so far astray on this, some things do need to be said.
To be honest, I think most of us have been quite silent on the issue (and I probably will continue in that vein). Frankly, I think there is more of a temptation in the church right now to be silent and to look the other way.
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It seems to me after studying passages about “judging not” that the only people who can judge me are those who know me and have heard my situation–not those expressing an opinion on what they think and hear me say in a general setting.
OTOH, if I walk in and make statements designed to provoke, I shouldn’t be insulted when I get a response, though a mature believer would be temperate.
Typing off the top of my head here.
There’s a passage in Acts where I think Paul’s fellow tentmakers came across a man whose preaching was incomplete. They listened to him and then took him aside to correct his theology. Done in private, it worked.
But that man was not preaching to throw things in the face of Priscilla and Aquila–he had a teachable spirit.
I don’t see many teachable spirits these days in or out of the church. I don’t see many people willing to be submissive to those in authority over them–they’d rather fight and are convinced they are right and the rest are wrong–and a handful of other derogatory statements.
I constantly need to examine my attitudes–am I willing to be submissive to the Lord, even if it is uncomfortable? Am I willing to be sneered at by progressives or even smart family members? God looks at the attitude of my heart. If I’m willing to take offense so easily, why should I be surprised at young people who have little experience in the world?
Today’s My Utmost was insightful: http://utmost.org/
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It has been my experience that anything short of gushing admiration is seen as attacking by certain very loud fringe elements.
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I was going to agree with Michelle that My Utmost was insightful today, when I realized that we are on different days!
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