What time is it?
I suppose it is not all that remarkable to see a Christian college close, or cave into, even embrace, the pressures of DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion), which, for all its talk about diversity, is simply conformity to the ideology that has become the new and most dogmatic of religions. We do well to teach our children and ourselves as well, but we had better know what time it is. I want to live in my grandfather's church, the church of my fathers, one that confesses the ancient creeds, sings hymns not off the Hillsong conveyor belt. It's time to dig deep.
But what's hard for many to see is that we are not living in our grandfather's or even our childhood's America. You went to public schools, say, in the 80's, and you are tempted to think it's the same, that is, tending towards liberal, but nothing that can't be handled by having a prayer after school, along with discussions now and then about how our holy book says it's wrong for two men to be married, to which we might add that they respect their decision.
TV wise, it's breathtaking to see how far down the slope we have been sliding, as a trip to Clooney's ER and then New Amsterdam makes abundantly clear. We are afraid to send our kids out into the neighborhood or into the woods when the most dangerous place is the bedroom with a cell phone. Well, any place with a cell phone. But then you say, we will live our Christian lives as we wish, though, that means with Jack Phillips and Barronelle Stutzman, with consciences dulled.
And that brings us to Oregon, where Christians, that is actual Christians, are no longer allowed to adopt children. That is, they must sign a pledge that they will raise their children according to gender affirming standards. In other words, not raising your children as Christians. If he wants you to refer to him as her, so you must, along with a trip to the clinic. And so the question must be asked, do we know what time it is?
It's not simply that places like Oregon are becoming ever more increasingly secular, or as we like to say, unchurched. It's that they have formed a new church, and their church is enmeshed in the state whose rules and regulations have real teeth. Are we ready for that? Are our people? What in our devotions, in our catechetical materials, in our studies and sermons are fortifying our people for such a time as this? If the inability or unwillingness to see through the secular conformity of DEI is any indication, we have a lot of work to do. But then, that's why we're here in the twilight, doing what we can before the night comes.
The Rev. Dr. Peter Scaer is chairman and professor of Exegetical Theology and director of the M.A. program at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Be Informed
“‘God has filled our hearts with the desire to love our neighbor. But how do we do that?’ This was a question that the saints of River of Life Lutheran Church in Channahon, Ill., were asking ourselves a few years ago,” the Rev. Hans Fiene explains. “We found the answer in Swaddling Clothes, a program we designed to provide baby-related items to those who need them.”
Be Equipped
Some of the largest cities are the least pro-life communities in the nation. So why are places that are bursting with so much human life less likely to be pro-life? Why are families moving out of urban areas in droves and flocking to communities that are more family friendly? Rev. Dr. Leonard Payton, a pastor serving in Chicago, explains.
Be Encouraged
“Jesus became incarnate as embryo, fetus and teenager, infant and adult. In this way He consecrates humankind of all ages, appearances, and abilities. The Good Lord comes close in skin and bone, the same as ours. He remains near with muscle and blood like we have. He humbly bears these sicknesses and gently carries these sorrows of ours. Jesus has crucifix-ed God on you, ever the servant and once-for-all sacrifice.”
