Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Sexual Ethics”
Our Bible verse for today: “For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.” Luke 16:8 (NIV)
Our thought for today: “We must be smarter in how we deal with this issue of sexual ethics.”
In 1987 President Bill Clinton, under great pressure from Congress and from the American people, signed into law the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). This law affirmed that marriage is between one man and one woman. At that time the leaders of the Gay and Lesbian Agenda conceded defeat and publically lamented that their quest to legalize same-sex marriage was lost.
However shortly after that, Marshall Kirk and Hunter Madsen wrote a book entitled “After the Ball: How America Will Conquer Its Fear and Hatred of Gays in the ‘90s”. In this book Kirk and Madsen declared that the cause was not lost at all, the Gay community simply needed a new strategy. Up to this point the movement had been unorganized, lacked focus, and they came across as militant and angry. Therefore not only were they ineffective but they were scaring people.
The authors urged their readers to first of all, modify their speech. Gays needed to come across as kind, compassionate, soft-spoken and gentle – in short, non-threatening. Second, they needed to go to great lengths to portray homosexual relationships as normal and natural – no different really, from heterosexual relationships. Then, they needed to recruit allies in the arts and media to help promote their cause. Then, they needed to portray themselves as victims of discrimination and unfair treatment. And finally, they needed to keep promoting their message at every opportunity because if you say something often enough, eventually people begin to conclude it must be true. Also, facts are no match for a compelling story. So promote the cause by telling lots and lots of heart-warming stories about same-sex families.
As we all know, their strategy worked perfectly. In only twenty-five years the situation has been almost entirely reversed. DOMA is no longer the law and in many states same-sex marriage is now legal, celebrated, and promoted as normal and natural.
Is there a lesson in this for the Church? Sadly, yes. The Gay and Lesbian leaders have been smarter about this than we have. While they were being kind and compassionate, many of us were being cold, hard, and dogmatic. While they were telling funny and heart-warming stories, we were pounding pulpits and calling down hellfire and brimstone. While they were drawing people in with their message, we were alienating people with ours – which was the exact opposite effect that Jesus had most of the time. Jesus spoke words of truth without compromise, and yet because of His loving and winsome manner, people flocked to be near Him.
It is absolutely essential that we do not compromise doctrine. But it is equally essential that we present the truth in love and not in anger. In a gentle and kind way, we must help people to see that the Biblical way is the best way. Tomorrow we will discuss ways the church can do this.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 