Politics does little to shape culture. Rather, politics reflects culture. Political trends represent ideas and norms that are already entrenched in the consciousness of the people. If this is right, then the current discussion in the political realm about a supposed homosexual right to marry is frightening. To illustrate the prevalence of the discussion in the political sphere, one only needs to consider the fact that four states have already begun issuing marriage licenses to homosexual couples (Massachusetts, Iowa, Connecticut, Vermont). California would be included in that list, but voters approved a constitutional amendment in November (Proposition 8) which overturned the supreme court ruling that had effectively legalized gay marriage in that state. Maine has also legalized gay marriage, but they cannot issue licenses pending an opportunity for a “people’s veto” by popular vote. The debate is currently centered in Washington D.C. where the city council is set to legalize the practice. For the measure to be finalized there, it would have to be approved by congress, a step which will probably meet little resistance. On the other hand, twenty-nine states have voted to approve constitutional amendments which specifically ban homosexual marriage by defining marriage in strictly heterosexual terms. Though it is not the most popular item in televised speeches and is often dodged by politicians on the campaign trail, the debate over the validity of homosexual marriage looms large on the political landscape, which means that that it looms even larger in the cultural consciousness of the nation.
Many have taken the time to articulate the necessity of stopping what appears to be an inevitable trend. Many have organized massive political lobbying and voter information efforts in an attempt to stay the alarming trend of legalizing homosexual marriage. However, fewer people, it seems, have been as articulate about what it means for the nation that such a trend is even present and that such strategies to stop it are even necessary.
The Scriptures do not equivocate on the issue of homosexuality. It is presented as base, immoral, unnatural, and worthy of the judgment of God. Of the texts which address the issue of homosexuality directly, Romans 1:18-32 is probably the most penetrating in its analysis, especially with respect to the significance of homosexual behavior in understanding the condition of any culture in the eyes of God. In this passage, the apostle Paul scathingly denounces all human society as being subject to the wrath of God on account of unrighteousness and ungodliness (1:18). He then outlines the course that all human society will inevitably follow, a course which leads to the manifestation in history of the wrath of God that is being stored up in heaven.
The fundamental flaw of human society after the Fall of Adam in the Garden of Eden is his pervasively idolatrous heart. Even though man has the revelation of the wisdom and power of God, which is evidenced through the created order, mankind refuses to worship God as God. Instead, man exchanges “the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man… They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever” (1:23, 25). Idolatry is the national religion of any people because nations are made up of men with fallen and idolatrous hearts.
After establishing idolatry as the basis for the wrath of God which is being stored up in heaven, Paul outlines the course that idolatrous societies (all human society) will inevitably follow. Step 1: Rank sexual immorality manifests itself openly and proudly (v. 24 – Because Paul does not specify homosexuality in v. 24, I conclude that he has in mind heterosexual immorality here.). Step 2: Homosexual behavior becomes more and more commonplace (vv. 26-27). Step 3: The manifestation of depravity so pervades the culture as to become self-destructive to the very fabric of society. The ethical and moral principles, which serve to preserve life and law in human society, erode away (vv. 28-32).
The typical alarm that is sounded after a reading of this passage goes something like this: “Look at American culture. We are following this path. The judgment of God is going to come if things do not change, if America does not repent.” While I agree with the general sentiment of such an alarm, I think it misses the mark at a very critical point. Paul does not exactly say that rank sexual immorality (of a hetero- or homosexual nature) invites the judgment of God. Rather, Paul says that because of the rampant idolatry that is prevalent in society, God gave them over to heterosexual immorality (v. 24). God gave them over to homosexual immorality (vv. 26-27). God gave them over to self-destructive lawlessness (vv. 28-32). Do you see the difference? The moral failure, sexual and otherwise, which plagues human society, is the judgment of God, not merely a sign suggesting that the judgment is coming. This manifestation of the wrath of God is a passive act of judgment. God, in his mercy, often restrains the expression of immorality among men for the preservation of life and to extend the opportunity for repentance and salvation for all who will believe the gospel. But as the idolatrous tendencies of any society manifest themselves, this restraining mercy of God is gradually removed, allowing the society to destroy itself with the pursuit of its own lusts.
In a dramatic twist of irony, the moral atrocities of American culture have become the silent prophets of God, pointing their long fingers and declaring, “Thus says the LORD, my wrath is being revealed from heaven.” The multi-billion dollar pornography industry is a prophet declaring the wrath of God upon us. The gay man kissing his groom at the altar is a prophet declaring the wrath of God upon us. The fabric of society is coming unraveled because, by the removal of his restraints, the Divine Judge is unraveling it.
But doesn’t the wrath of God ever manifest itself actively, rather than just passively? Certainly it does, and the famous case of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, when considered against the backdrop of Romans 1:18-32, may give us some insight here. According to Genesis 18-19, these two cities were characterized by homosexual behavior to the extent that “the men of the city… all the people from every quarter” were homosexual rapists, as they wished to have their way with the two visitors to Lot’s house (Gen. 19:4). We are not given any information about the history of Sodom and Gomorrah. Nevertheless, if Romans 1:18-32 indicates a universal pattern for human society, we can safely conclude that the rampant homosexuality of the two cities did not occur in a vacuum. How long had these societies existed? How long ago had the “sexual revolution” occurred in Sodom? How long ago had marriage licenses begun to be issued? We can only speculate. But one thing is certain, the wrath of God, which initially manifests itself passively eventually manifested itself actively in the violent destruction of these two cities.
As we observe the moral decay of American culture, we are witnesses to the wrath of God becoming the record of history. How long will the wrath be only passively manifest? We can only speculate. But one thing is certain: “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven” (Rom. 1:18). “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man (or a society) sows, this will he also reap” (Gal. 6:7). Though patient toward men, extending the time until the active demonstration of his wrath so that some might repent, God is just. And the day will certainly come when (as with other nations who have gone before us) the wrath of God renders our nation as nothing more than the record of history.
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4 comments:
What a sobering article. I don't think I have ever considered how long Sodom & Gomorrah had been a society before God destroyed them.
His kindness and patience are meant to lead us to repentance, but many take it as His approval of their sin. "God just wants me to be happy."
Wow, I haven't thought much about how God deals with us in his passive and active wrath alike. So many times it's easy to look at what's going on in the world and separate it from God's doing, but EVERYTHING that happens is from His hand.
Seems as though the Wrath is being turned over to..... T he sin is exchanging the glory of God for the corruptable.
Perhaps the economy, is the result of our spiritual stagnation.
Great post Kyle.
The fact that Christians were ever willing to cede authority over religious matters (like defining "marriage") to the leaders of this fallen world is most troubling to me. Until the 16th Century, marriage was a private matter dealt with by family and the church. Although it was common in the American colonies to require registration of marriages, it wasn't until the 19th Century that a marriage license became a common prerequisite for legal marriage. That development occurred first because parents wanted to exercise control over their children's spouse selection and later because people ignored the lesson of Numbers 12 and sought to prohibit "interracial" marriages.
Adults should be free to contract as they wish. The state's approval or disapproval of a particular contract has no bearing on the morality of the relationship signified by that contract. After all, earthly government is the biggest, most entrenched organization of murderers and thieves on the planet.
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