Thursday, July 2, 2015

After the Supreme Court Ruling: The Biggest Danger to the Church

Last week’s Supreme Court decision on homosexual marriage has sent shock waves through the American Church. Many people of faith are afraid of the consequences of this decision. They predict the church will lose its tax exempt status, will be subject to crippling lawsuits, and that clergy who decline to perform homosexual weddings will be heavily penalized.

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 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.”