Psalm 2
I wrote earlier today on the New World Order that representatives of our cultural and political elites seem to espouse with unmitigated enthusiasm. To some extent it seems apparent that this reordering of our societies also involves a will to enact legislation e.g on the nature marriage that flies in the face of traditional values, such as the God-ordained institution of marriage defined as a union between two people of the opposite sexes.
If that legislation is part of a broader design, a planned cultural assault on avowed values and institutions, should we then react with fear, anger or defiance? Fear seems rather misplaced, particularly if we recognize that history inevitably moves towards Christ, and not chaos, or total relativism as far as cultural values and practices go. There has always been opposition, sporadic or protracted, or both, towards the hegemony of a Christian worldview and its logical implication: a society awarding preferential treatment to a predominantly Christian culture (laws, traditions and institutions).
Anger, then? Leave that to God. Event though our cherished prerogatives and values have come under increased fire from the enemies of God, we're only called to love our enemies and not curse, vilify or otherwise verbally abuse them. We can obviously challenge their proposed way of action, their policies, working for change through democratic channels or attempting to persuade leader or layman alike about the superior qualities of a society modelled on Biblical values; but let's not resort to the grumpy, embittered tirades that some of our kind seem to love levelling against those who think differently. It's the way of Christ we need to take. If not, it's much better not to walk anywhere at all..
So what about defiance? I'm tempted to say that it's ok to make a stance, but it's even better to make some use of our prayer muscles and engage in a spiritual war on the real source of the rise of hedonism and other anti-Christian lifestyles, namely the unseen cosmic powers at work behind the scenes. Let's pray to our Pantocrator, our God who really reigns supreme, and who has spoken these majestic words in the book of the Psalter. I give you the second Psalm for comfort and encouragement:
If that legislation is part of a broader design, a planned cultural assault on avowed values and institutions, should we then react with fear, anger or defiance? Fear seems rather misplaced, particularly if we recognize that history inevitably moves towards Christ, and not chaos, or total relativism as far as cultural values and practices go. There has always been opposition, sporadic or protracted, or both, towards the hegemony of a Christian worldview and its logical implication: a society awarding preferential treatment to a predominantly Christian culture (laws, traditions and institutions).
Anger, then? Leave that to God. Event though our cherished prerogatives and values have come under increased fire from the enemies of God, we're only called to love our enemies and not curse, vilify or otherwise verbally abuse them. We can obviously challenge their proposed way of action, their policies, working for change through democratic channels or attempting to persuade leader or layman alike about the superior qualities of a society modelled on Biblical values; but let's not resort to the grumpy, embittered tirades that some of our kind seem to love levelling against those who think differently. It's the way of Christ we need to take. If not, it's much better not to walk anywhere at all..
So what about defiance? I'm tempted to say that it's ok to make a stance, but it's even better to make some use of our prayer muscles and engage in a spiritual war on the real source of the rise of hedonism and other anti-Christian lifestyles, namely the unseen cosmic powers at work behind the scenes. Let's pray to our Pantocrator, our God who really reigns supreme, and who has spoken these majestic words in the book of the Psalter. I give you the second Psalm for comfort and encouragement:
Psalm 2
1 Why do the nations conspire[a]
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,
3 “Let us break their chains
and throw off their shackles.”
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,
3 “Let us break their chains
and throw off their shackles.”
4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord scoffs at them.
5 He rebukes them in his anger
and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
6 “I have installed my king
on Zion, my holy mountain. ”
the Lord scoffs at them.
5 He rebukes them in his anger
and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
6 “I have installed my king
on Zion, my holy mountain. ”
7 I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:
He said to me, “You are my son;
today I have become your father.
8 Ask me,
and I will make the nations your inheritance,
the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You will break them with a rod of iron[b];
you will dash them to pieces like pottery. ”
today I have become your father.
8 Ask me,
and I will make the nations your inheritance,
the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You will break them with a rod of iron[b];
you will dash them to pieces like pottery. ”
10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;
be warned, you rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear
and celebrate his rule with trembling.
12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry
and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
be warned, you rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear
and celebrate his rule with trembling.
12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry
and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
(New Internationional Version)
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