I
confess fearing these things, too. But I think the greatest danger for the church is that it will become “the
church.” Here's what I mean:
- The Episcopalian Church just overwhelmingly affirmed (as of Wednesday) its approval of religious weddings for same-sex couples. No surprise after the church’s embrace of homosexual rights more than ten years ago when they elected the first openly homosexual bishop.
- Former evangelical Tony Campolo last month released a statement about how he changed his position on homosexuality and now urges that the church (“the church”) fully accept into its membership homosexual couples who have made a lifetime commitment to one another.
- Eastlake Community Church in Seattle “came out” (pun intended) for homosexual marriage and full participation in the membership of the “church” earlier this year. A Time Magazine’s article claims “evangelicals are changing their minds on gay marriage.”
“The
church” never offends anybody, and generally people end up feeling good about
themselves and about their relationship to a God who loves them without
expecting anything of them. The church
offends plenty of people. Though it is often filled with inoffensive and
loving people, it offends with its proclamation of truth (that’s not my truth!), its call for repentance (I’m just fine the way I am!), and the
exclusive claim that only Jesus can put us right with God (you bigot!)
“The
church” doesn’t convert anybody because conversion is not necessary; you’re
fine just the way you are. The church
doesn’t convert anybody either, but God uses the church to transform (convert) plenty of broken people on their
way to hell into becoming-whole people on their way to heaven.
“The
church” likes Jesus (“Jesus”) and uses Him as an example of unconditional
love and tolerance. The
church loves and obeys Jesus,
and proclaims His gospel even when it demands that all people are sinners under
divine wrath, and that each of must repent and follow Him.
“The
church” prizes love above all things, but defines love by the values of the
society around it. (Question: If “the church,” in the name of love, welcomes
homosexual unions as godly expressions of love, what would prevent “the church”
from welcoming the union of a 60-year-old man and a 10 year old boy? Or unions
of three or more, of various ages and genders? Answer: “the church” will
welcome any and all of these things when the society around it does.)
The church prizes the God of the Bible above all things, and so
its definitions (for example, of love,
marriage, truth, right or wrong) are often counter to the culture.
Andree Seu Peterson points out in the current issue of World Magazine that the church in Germany became divided
after Hitler came to power. Some followed Hitler and capitulated to whatever
the Nazi regime proposed. They became “the church.” Others paid a high price to
stand for the gospel; they remained the
church. Last week in America bore a terrible familiarity to Nazi Germany in the 1930's.
In
the years ahead the church will
likely lose tax exemption, status, and members who are looking for “the church”
as a respectful image of society. “The church” will likely flourish, fattened by
tolerance, and ultimately indistinguishable from the culture around it. But
Jesus gave a promise to the church that
never applies to “the church.” I will build My church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against us
(Matthew 16:18b).
The church will always proclaim the gospel, and people will be saved: gay and straight, men and
women, rich and poor, all colors, all sins. Church planting will be
done in persecution and in plenty, in prison and in high rises, illegally and
legally. The church will be planted
and grow, until Jesus comes. “The
church” will proclaim “the gospel,” a hollowed-out message about “Jesus” that
denies truth, holiness, and the real need we all have of a real Savior. Until Jesus comes.
It’s
going to get a whole lot easier to decide whether you’re part of the church or whether you’d be more
comfortable in “the church.”
