Nearly 227 years ago, the First Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof …” Under that cherished amendment, two particular protections are enshrined. One we call the Establishment Clause, and it prevents the government from advocating a particular religion. The second we call the Free Exercise Clause, and it ensures freedom of belief and worship for every person.

Though we in America enjoy the most robust legal protections of any country in the world, are our fundamental religious liberties in jeopardy today? My short answer to that question is “yes,” and I will seek to explain. My aim is not to spark alarm as much as it is to spark worship, for we know – in the words of the old spiritual and American folk song – who’s still “got the whole world in His hands.”

When I was in law school in the 1980’s, and when I first became interested in constitutional law, any mention of “religious liberty” in the classroom seemed always to be within the context of limitations on the government’s endorsement of religious activity – à la the focus on “separation of church and state.” The U.S. Supreme Court in Stone v. Graham (1980) had held that state laws mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools were outside constitutional bounds as a violation of the Establishment Clause. Many evangelical Christians became concerned that America was “taking God out of schools.” It is my contention that such myopic unease became a distraction from what was really happening in American life.

The deeper problem was not that the government was failing to actively support a Judeo-Christian ethic. Would that our crises be so manageable! The problem, then in its more embryonic stages, was a subtle undercurrent in the psyche of our nation. Slowly but steadily – within academia, the arts, the media, and the political elite – more and more Americans were being convinced that a Judeo-Christian ethic is an actual threat to any intelligent civilization. As even the “know-ability” of objective truth claims was questioned at every level within America’s significant structures of power and influence, the unsuspecting masses were lulled into an understanding of “truth” that was neither sensible nor sustainable.

In due season, our courts would begin to reflect our cultural confusion and chaos. In just a few short years, we moved from requiring the government to justify any encroachment on religious freedom to requiring the individual to justify his or her departure from a thoroughly secular – yet government-endorsed – worldview. I say “worldview” instead of “ethic” because I believe that ethics are a practical impossibility when there is no commonly accepted and objective moral foundation.

I make no claims that balancing individual freedoms with compelling government interests is always a simple task, but I do want to highlight an important trajectory. The Supreme Court in Sherbert v. Verner (1963) strengthened religious freedom. But the Court in Employment Division v. Smith (1990) began to roll back the scope of protections afforded by the Free Exercise clause. That case involved the illegal smoking of peyote during a religious ritual, so perhaps many of us did not notice the constitutional drift, but suffice it to say that the train had left the station.

Fast forward with me to more recent history. The Iowa Supreme Court, drawing upon that state constitution’s equal protection clause, held that a law defining marriage as a relationship of one man and one woman is a distinctively “religious” understanding (2009). A federal district judge in San Francisco, striking down California’s voter-approved Proposition 8 with a stroke of his pen, made the same determination (2010). But that’s not all. Both cases characterized laws supporting traditional marriage as the byproduct of “animus,” which rendered such laws blameworthy and without any legitimate rational basis. Was there any doubt where the train would go from there? Once marriage is deemed both religious and hateful, it must be drastically redefined by any enlightened society.

Enter, stage left, Obergefell v. Hodges (2015). Led by Anthony Kennedy, five Supreme Court Justices followed the blossoming script and imposed same-sex marriage on the entire country. What concerns me more than the Court’s decision in that case is the cultural fallout from it: the further erosion of religious freedom in America. As the advocates of “sexual rights” have made clear in every jurisdiction where they have achieved victory, holdouts who resist their ideology are sure to pay a heavy price for it. If the gathering clouds are any indication of the coming storm, the conscience of the individual will be no safe haven from the assault. In fact, one’s publicly expressed religious convictions may be the modern version of the “Kick Me” signs which we used to tape to each other’s backs in middle school – minus the fun and laughter.

Now we anxiously await news surrounding the Court’s upcoming decision in Masterpiece Cake Shop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. Will the conscience of a Christian artist be protected by law, or will Jack Phillips face the intolerance of a culture which prides itself on tolerance? Only our Sovereign Lord knows where we’re headed from here, and we can trust Him regardless of the outcome. Please pray for Jack. Pray for his attorneys, and for the Alliance Defending Freedom as an organization and as a gospel ministry. Pray by name for the Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court. When it comes to grace and truth in the public square, speak up. I’ll quote my friend, Josh Hershberger: “The best way to defend religious liberty is to use it.” Do so humbly, tactfully, and winsomely.

Adam K. Hersh writes in Stanford Law Review (January 2018): “The conflict between religious accommodation and nondiscrimination is fundamentally a conflict between two visions of government power.” Indeed. Sometimes the threats uttered by strong cultural forces capture our hearts – at least for a moment – and we fear the lion’s den. But then we remember the prevailing verdict: “And God gave Daniel favor and compassion” (Daniel 1:9). So fear not, sisters and brothers! Right now is the time for Christ’s Church to shine like never before. This is our moment. We are here, and Christ is risen.

Pastor Charles

Aha!

“Do you give the horse his might?
Do you clothe his neck with a mane?
Do you make him leap like the locust?
His majestic snorting is terrifying.
He paws in the valley and exults in his strength;
he goes out to meet the weapons.
He laughs at fear and is not dismayed;
he does not turn back from the sword.
Upon him rattle the quiver,
the flashing spear, and the javelin.
With fierceness and rage he swallows the ground;
he cannot stand still at the sound of the trumpet.

When the trumpet sounds, he says ‘Aha!’”

Can you tell that I’m blogging from Lexington? I always enjoy being back in the land of the Bluegrass. Those opening words are God’s words from Job 39:19-25.

Our God is so amazing that His glory is displayed in every creature He has made. How can we not see the Sovereign’s majesty and strength when we gaze upon a gorgeous thoroughbred horse? He moves with fearless energy, yet with gracious precision. He inspires awe and adoration among the toughest soldiers, and calms the troubled spirits of children with special needs. He performs like the grandest of machines while frolicking on the rolling hills of Central Kentucky.

“Aha!” I love that. It speaks to me of breathless wonder when I would otherwise be terrified. “Aha!” It speaks to me of unstoppable hope when others might see nothing but doom and gloom. “Aha!” It speaks to me of peace in the middle of my darkest night. “Aha!” It speaks to me of passion and power — Christ’s resurrection power — simply to do what I’ve been called and commissioned to do.

Maybe this is your “Aha!” moment. Maybe your race isn’t over yet. Maybe your finish line is within reach. Run!

The Lord who made heaven and earth spoke to Job “out of the storm.” The God who made the lightning bolt and the tropical cyclone is the God who calms the raging sea. Job would learn such wonderful truths on dry ground, and Jonah in the belly of a fish. Wherever we find ourselves, God is there.

With dangers, toils, and snares all around, the horse hears only the trumpet call. May we have ears to hear as well.

Pastor Charles

When slavery was legal in our land, many people could not imagine any other way of life, because slavery – as an institution – was so tightly woven into the fabric of our national psyche: socially, politically, and of course economically. It was hard for many people to see that it was wrong, because “that’s just the way it is.” We can translate that struggle into any chapter of history: when we’re in it, it’s difficult to see it clearly.

Maybe you’re depressed about life in America right now. Don’t be! There are lots of great things happening all around us. Our gospel is Christ’s gospel, and – as such – it is inherently full of hope. You and I must help people see not just the reality of what is, but the reality of what can be in our Lord Jesus Christ! The possibilities are endless regarding the many ways in which He might use us a light and salt in the land of the free and the home of the brave. Be encouraged!

A week ago today I was participating in the March for Life in Washington, D.C., as many of you know from social media. On the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, hundreds of thousands gathered for the largest annual human rights demonstration in the history of the world. As we made our way from (roughly) the Washington Monument to the U.S. Supreme Court – passing the Capitol as you see in my photo – I was overwhelmed with the magnitude of the pro-life movement in America. It is so much larger than simply making people aware of the horrors of abortion.

Followers of Christ are working passionately and strategically to honor God’s image in children and adults with disabilities, helping them thrive in the face of physical, cognitive, and even social difficulties. The body of Christ is actively engaged in the pursuit of racial reconciliation and social justice (in the purest sense of a term which has become highly politicized). Christians are pursuing gracious care for victims of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Our sisters and brothers in Christ are working to restore fractured families, and to help moms and dads provide financial, emotional, and spiritual stability for their children in all kinds of less-than-perfect situations. I’m also really happy to report that God has called a number of Christ followers to love those women who have made the choice to abort. Ours is not a ministry of condemnation, after all, but a ministry of healing, redeeming, and sanctifying grace.

One reason why the pro-life movement is growing is that we have truth on our side. The fact that life begins at conception is now indisputable. Dr. Bernard Nathanson, who presided over more than 60,000 abortions writes: “This person in the womb is a living human being and we could not continue to wage war on the most defenseless of human beings. Having looked at the ultrasound, I could no longer go on as before.”

I was particularly blessed by the ocean of young adults who walked with me. Young America, despite many other social problems, is increasingly pro-life. Sometimes I get the impression that many Americans view the pro-life movement as angry, militant, and ill-informed. Nothing could be further from the truth. What I observed, for hours on end, was a winsome, articulate, and joyful generation seeking to make a life-giving difference in the world.

As I came home to Kentucky, I was nearly immediately assaulted by the harsh reality of the Marshall County High School tragedy. We’re not “home” yet – that’s for sure. Our world is broken. But Western Kentucky is proving to be just as hopeful as Washington, D.C. – all you have to do is look around. Another ocean of young people is resolved to press on in prayer, unity, and – quite shockingly – gospel-centered forgiveness and grace. These are our neighbors and friends, and because Christ – the giver of life (John 10:10) – is alive and well, hope is here.

Pastor Charles

Eileen and I have been binge watching The Crown. We started late, so we had to get caught up. We’ve overachieved. We’ve run out of episodes. If you’re unfamiliar with this series, it’s an original on Netflix, and the most expensive television show ever made. For the most part it is historically accurate within reasonable bounds. (I’ve Googled at a few points just to make sure.)

Each episode presents a different challenge in the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II, who assumed the British throne at the age of 25. I’ve particularly enjoyed the interactions with Winston Churchill, as both characters wrestle with the weightiness of their respective leadership responsibilities. (Don’t miss the one where the aging Churchill has to figure out if it’s time to resign. Rich with wisdom.) What has intrigued me is that no one is really “ready” for leadership – they just do it anyway. I suppose that the lesson for us is that leadership is learned in real time.

The Crown is a true tale of perseverance. Elizabeth (Claire Foy) is a lone female monarch within an established (to put it mildly) boys’ club. She is the epitome of virtue and restraint against the backdrop of a decaying culture and more than her fair share of womanizing fools. She presses on – contending with what must be a whole world of antagonistic emotions – as her private secretary brings her round after round of bad news, both nationally and personally.

Elizabeth navigates the deadly Great Smog of London (1952). She manages the international Suez crisis. She maneuvers around a revolving door of resigning prime ministers. She sticks with a husband who is at times more out than in – complete with nonstop rumor and embarrassment stemming from his shenanigans at home and abroad. And she consistently helps stabilize a sister whose life supplies enough drama for a whole troupe. Plus, nearly everybody has an opinion regarding how she could do it better. Elizabeth is velvet and steel.

One of the best shows features Queen Elizabeth’s friendship with the American evangelist Billy Graham. You can see on the Queen’s face that she is more than intrigued by Reverend Graham’s simple gospel message. Elizabeth happens to be in the throes of trying to forgive her uncle when Graham is in London preaching one of his famous crusades. We then see Graham preaching in Windsor Chapel, upon the Queen’s invitation, and then the pastor and Elizabeth discussing Scripture as it applies to the subject of forgiveness.

Quite astutely, and almost humorously, the Queen reminds the preacher that Jesus prayed for His enemies to be forgiven “for they know not what they do.” You can tell that Elizabeth is wondering if she has to forgive someone who sinned knowing full well what he was doing! She is obviously seriously pondering the claims of Christ on a personal level, which is not out of character for a woman whom we observe more than once kneeling by her bed for evening prayers. Though the head of the Church of England in title, role, and authority, the Queen clearly acknowledges in that episode that she is under the authority of Almighty God.

I appreciate The Crown’s respect for Christian morality, the traditional family, and even limited government. But what has drawn me in, perhaps more than any of the series’ other virtues, has been its emphasis on self-sacrifice. The crown worn by the Queen requires everything of her at one time or another. That’s just the way it is when you’re responsible. Since even a life of royalty is no rapid-fire succession of fairy tale chapters or even endings, The Crown is a beautiful reminder that we’re all in way over our heads.

Ah, Jesus! The sacrifice par excellence. “When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.”

Pastor Charles

We are witnessing something globally and eternally significant: the nation of Iran is experiencing its largest anti-government protests since the disputed presidential election in 2009. Just within the last few days, thousands have taken to the streets in several urban areas. The futures of of 80 million people are at stake, friends.

Hundreds of young people, along with some others who have challenged Iran’s power, have been arrested. At least 20 have died in clashes with security forces. And I’m sure that we don’t yet know the extent of the clampdown by authorities attempting to regain control – including dominance of the public and international narrative.

The demonstrations began in Mashhad, Iran’s second-largest city and the home of a famous Shiite shrine. Mashad is a stronghold of Ebrahim Raisi, a cleric who unsuccessfully challenged President Hassan Rouhani in last year’s election. Some notable analysts suggest that conservatives began the protests there as a means to pressure Rouhani, who appears to be a relatively moderate cleric within Iran’s theocratic government. How intriguing is that scenario as a backdrop for the winds of change?

An economy marked by widespread unemployment and crippling inflation seems to have sparked the flames of near-revolution. Whatever the initial impetus, cries for freedom are growing louder and louder – in a land where dissident voices are quickly silenced. But hard times for Iran may be prosperous times for the gospel of Jesus.

The Iranian government vigilantly enforces a prohibition against “proselytizing,” and compels evangelical leaders to sign pledges that they “will not evangelize Muslims or allow Muslims to attend church services.” Conversion from Islam to any non-Muslim faith is considered apostasy under Iran’s harsh Sharia law – and therefore punishable by the death penalty.

Particularly if you were here when my friends Rozik and Lazarus visited First Paducah, you likely know the backstory: the Iranian revolution of 1979 established a hardline Islamic regime. Over the next two decades, Christians faced increasing opposition and persecution, including the murders of several Christian pastors. Despite such intense pressure, the small Iranian church persevered. Today Muslims in Iran are the most open to the gospel among every people group in the Middle East. We’re witnessing a truly amazing moment, so let’s be part of it! (Want to learn some Farsi with me in 2018?)

The Iranian government’s harsh response to this wave of protests is a vivid reminder that the “Islamic Republic” is anything but free. The people of Iran are not free. The nation’s powerful clerics control who can run for office, and Iran’s censored “media” severely limit Internet access and communication in general. Street gatherings are prohibited unless approved by the government. Tehran’s official portrayal of Iranian culture, politics, and life rarely corresponds to the reality of what Iranian citizens suffer on a daily basis.

We should be much in prayer for such a pivotal time as this. “And He shall reign forever and ever” (Revelation 11:15).

Pastor Charles

Do you like Greek poetry? Maybe you do, but you didn’t know it. Philippians 2:6-11 may be the earliest hymn in our Christian history. In truly eloquent style, the Scriptures reveal something absolutely amazing: God gave up His glory for us!

… Christ Jesus … though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men …

 The Ruler of the universe gave up His crown for a cradle. And not even a fancy cradle at that, but a nasty manger – which was nothing more than a feeding trough for animals.

An the humiliation of Bethlehem was only the beginning. Christ chose willingly to make Himself “of no reputation.” By the elites He would be considered an absolute fool. For us.

Who but Jesus, the all-wise Creator of all human life, would stoop to wash the smelly feet of His fickle disciples? Who but Jesus, the divine and eternal Word-made-flesh, would willingly step into the temporal limitations of a culture and language? Who but Jesus would willingly choose to clothe His sovereignty in His own naked execution upon a brutal cross? Who but Jesus would take the hit of a cosmic demotion, all for the likes of you and me?

… And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross …

 Even the cross was for us. But so would be resurrection.

 Where are you this Christmas? Is it a Norman Rockwell moment framed by Neiman Marcus gifts? Or is it more like “I’d love to see the glass half-full but I can’t find my glass”? Either way, or somewhere in between (where most of us hang out on most days), hope is ours in Christ. That is the message of Christmas.

In his Secrets in the Dark, the American writer and theologian Frederick Buechner reminds us that, since Jesus chose to be born in a stable to peasants surrounded by field hands, He will go anywhere. Praise God for that! “And this means that we are never safe, that there is no place where we can hide from God, no place where we are safe from his power to break in two and recreate the human heart, because it is just where he seems most helpless that he is most strong, and just where we least expect him that he comes most fully.”

He will go anywhere. For us. That He has proven. He came “to seek and save the lost.”

Wherever you are, there He is. And He is so good that even our suffering can surprise us.

… Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord …

Christ the Savior is born. For us. Merry Christmas!

Pastor Charles

Just over a week ago I was at the U.S. Supreme Court for the “Justice for Jack” rally. I don’t want to repeat myself here, so please read (if you haven’t already) that blog posting first. Today I’m including my pics from my day in D.C., as our church technology was in full-blown rebellion last week and refused to upload these photos. In a nutshell, before the Justices right now is this issue: can a state force its citizens to express support for same-sex marriage through their artistic creations?

As I see it, the question is not really whether you or I agree that Jack Phillips did the right thing by refusing to create a wedding cake. The question is: as a Christ-follower, does Jack have the legal right to make that decision? In other words, is Jack’s personal conviction protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution? I would contend that it is.

But here’s what I want to say upon further reflection on this subject: this case should never have happened! For obvious reasons, we need anti-discrimination statutes. But we also need to use them wisely. Isn’t the point to protect our citizens? Absolutely. The point must not be to make sure that every American agrees on the subject of gay marriage; in other words, anti-discrimination laws should not be used to punish people who don’t agree with the state and who harbor no ill intent toward people who need protection. That’s why I felt compelled to speak up.

You may not remember the name of the case that made it to the Supreme Court when gay marriage became the law of the land. It was Obergefell v. Hodges. The Court in Obergefell concluded in its majority opinion that a commitment to traditional marriage can be held “in good faith by reasonable and sincere people here and throughout the world.” The Court went on to write that “many who deem same-sex marriage to be wrong reach that conclusion based on decent and honorable religious or philosophical premises, and neither they nor their beliefs are disparaged here.”

As I reread that opinion, I realized that Jack Phillips the cake designer ought to come under the umbrella of that protection. And here’s why it matters, if you want just a little bit more of my humble opinion: I fear the day when every disagreement in America is viewed as hostile, dangerous, and discriminatory. I don’t think I’m being too dramatic when I say that we stand on the brink of morphing into that kind of unworkable society.

It seems that we still attempt to apply other anti-discrimination legislation in a fair and reasonable manner. Bans on religious discrimination aren’t used to force humanistic organizations to violate their convictions. We don’t force Planned Parenthood to hire evangelical and pro-life Christians, and we don’t force bakeries to bake cakes with anti-gay themes. I guess what I’m saying is that American law requires more than a full dose of common sense!

Sexual orientation and gender identity anti-discrimination policies are enacted to protect people, not to punish people for their thoughts. Not allowing an African American to drink from a public water fountain is bigotry, but believing in marriage as the union of a man and a woman is not. Surely we can make that distinction for the purpose of American civility and tolerance, and in hopes of creating a culture marked by “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” for all.

Both of my grandmothers used to call it “horse sense.” Where is it now when we need it most?

Pastor Charles

Starting early Tuesday morning, I had the privilege of participating in a rally on the steps of the United States Supreme Court. That was the day when oral arguments began in the case of Jack Phillips, the owner of the Masterpiece Cakeshop in Lakewood, Colorado. It is my contention that every Christian in America should watch this case closely, as its implications will be loud and clear in regard to religious freedom – and freedom of speech in general – for all Americans.

Last month I was part of a conference call in which I was able to hear personally from Mr. Phillips. Mr. Phillips seems warm and humble, and he seems to love everybody. Literally, everybody. He told us tearfully some of his story.

The saga began in 2012 when Jack refused to bake a wedding cake for a same-sex wedding. Though many in the media would have you believe that his actions were bigoted and cruel, I would strongly disagree. Mr. Phillips regularly serves people in the LGBTQ community; several gay persons and proponents of same-sex marriage have risen to his defense, thankfully. What Jack could not do – as an artist – was to create a themed cake which violated his personal and deeply-held religious convictions. He was happy to sell any product which was needed for the planned reception, but he could not create something which violated his conscience. Just for the record, Jack does not create Halloween cakes, and he has refused to bake cakes celebrating divorce, for example. Celebrating those things is simply not who he is as a follower of Jesus Christ. I am reminded of Daniel, and of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Though same-sex marriage was not yet legal in the state and the traditional definition of marriage was enshrined in the state constitution, the Colorado Civil Rights Commission charged Mr. Phillips with discrimination, and the net result of the financial fallout has been the near-destruction of Jack’s business and livelihood – not to mention personal attacks and even death threats.

Let me be clear: if this were a case of refusal to serve someone in a public business, I would agree with Colorado. But let’s look at this from a different political perspective. Would we force an African American painter of outdoor murals – the kind like we have in downtown Paducah – to create paintings celebrating the legacy of the Ku Klux Klan? Not only would that be horribly offensive to the artist, but it would violate the painter’s freedom of speech. For an artist, artwork is speech.

As I was standing there in Washington, D.C., taking it all in, there was something beautiful about not just the “Justice for Jack” rally, but also the lively and passionate rally for the opposition in this case. This is America! This is the land where women and men can vehemently disagree with one another, and where everyone can express their personal convictions without fear of punishment.

Does this case have complications? Of course it does. Could someone claim to be an “artist” but only hide behind that title in order to discriminate? Yes. That is a danger. Fake art for sinister purposes, I suppose that’s a possibility. But, in my opinion, we must make every effort to uphold our Constitution’s First Amendment for every American. Jack is most certainly an artist; his cake designs were featured on advertisements for Season 2 of TLC’s Cake Boss.

If the First Amendment is not strongly protected in the Phillips case, I fear the implications for Christian schools, and even for churches, particularly in the areas of employment and facilities usage. I say it’s high time for tolerance in America, but not the kind of “tolerance” which ends up silencing people who disagree with a particular position on the part of the government. That priceless freedom is the unique contribution of these United States to the world.

Pray with me for God’s justice to prevail in the highest court of our land. My take on things is that the justices have already signaled that this will be a difficult decision. As you pray, remember that there is a higher court before which each one of us will one day stand.

On a related note, I’ve been asked to serve on the Leadership Council of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention for 2018. I’m excited to think about how the Lord might use me and shape me in the process – Christ is the ultimate Artist, you know – as so many of these issues are close to my heart.

Pastor Charles

Not too long ago I took up this topic in a blog posting, but I have to revisit it in light of even more recent developments in our contemporary culture.

Today and NBC News have said goodbye to Matt Lauer. For two decades a consistent presence and even wider influence in American homes and businesses, Lauer was the boy next door. Even if you didn’t agree with all of his politics, he was likeable, humorous, and even a bit self-deprecating. At least on screen. Most of us can hang out over morning coffee with someone willing to be a goof-off from time to time, and that was the secret to the show’s success. And what’s more red, white, and blue than the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade co-hosted by Matt?

What appears to have transpired, though you and I will never know all of the details, is that for years Lauer has been sexually harassing multiple female employees. When the patriarch behaves like this, even if he’s the patriarch of a television show, people are disappointed, disillusioned, and – in the cases of these women – damaged. The damage is physical, emotional, and spiritual.

America seems to be drowning in a sea of systematic sexual sin. I plan to take up this subject, at least briefly, Sunday morning. Yes, I know it’s the Christmas season, but didn’t Christ come to set us free from the sins which imprison all of us? If that’s true – and it is – then every season is gospel season.

Last Sunday, even before the Lauer story broke, The New York Times published “The Unexamined Brutality of the Male Libido” by Stephen Marche. I’d like to share a quote from that piece: “Through sheer bulk, the string of revelations about men from Bill Cosby to Roger Ailes to Harvey Weinstein to Louis C.K. to Al Franken and, this week, to Charlie Rose and John Lasseter, have forced men to confront what they hate to think about most: the nature of men in general.”

Isn’t that interesting? Mr. Marche has concluded that, at the heart of our current social conundrum lies “the often ugly and dangerous nature of the male libido” and “the implicit brutality of male sexuality.” We as Christians know that gender is not the real problem as much as humanness is. But it’s hard to deny that a string of powerful men has done more than enough, in terms of bad behavior, to validate the dark side of basic human nature – and to get people thinking about these issues like never before. Today’s revelations illustrate rather thoroughly what the Apostle Paul explained in First Corinthians 15:22 when he said that “in Adam all die.” That’s not a gender claim, but a universal claim.

Where are we, as God’s people, in all of this? For starters, I hope that we’re not pointing fingers. There’s plenty of blame to go around, and this era of American history should humble all of us – not swell us with pride. As I tweeted last night, “every one of us is inhabited by the depraved monster of self, and by the smug self-deception of a Pharisee.” This is a time for humility.

When Christ was born – when God took on flesh so that He could walk this earth and go all the way to the cross for us – the world was relentlessly wicked. In the Roman world, powerful men exploited everybody – sexually and otherwise. Women were deemed of little or no value. Freeborn men took wives in order to secure legal heirs, but everybody knew that they would find sexual pleasure anytime and anywhere – and with anyone – they desired: from prostitutes to their own slaves to helpless little boys. No sexual behavior was considered immoral or off-limits.

When the church was born – and when believers in Christ began to preach that all people are created in God’s image and in need of the good news of Jesus – it was globally revolutionary! It would be the church that would eventually stand up to slavery, much like the church today is actively opposing human trafficking in all its forms. It would be the church that would decry racism. It would be the church that would establish orphanages and hospitals. It would be the church that would honor the marriage relationship as God ordained it: a relationship of mutual love, submission, and gospel grace. I’m not claiming that the church has always responded as we should have, or as quickly as we should have, but I’m simply saying that gospel seeds eventually bear the fruit – as the angels announced in the Bethlehem skies – of “peace on earth, good will toward men.”

Being on “the right side of history” is way overrated. I’d rather change history. For God’s glory, let’s change things now. What say you?

Today may be done. Who knows? But I want to remind you of the rest of Paul’s amazing verse: “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive!” There is hope for our rottenness, and that of both the male and female varieties. His name is Jesus. He is risen from the dead. He forgives sin. His grace is enough for this season of chaos and crisis. And His grace is enough for eternity.

Pastor Charles

Anybody’s mouth watering yet? Tomorrow’s the big day! So I checked out YouTube just to see what are the hottest trending “how-to” videos for 2017 when it comes to cooking.

The winners?

1. fried ice cream
2. okra
3. aquafaba
4. seaweed soup
5. jerky
6. poke
7. green papaya salad
8. crab boil
9. brussel sprouts
10. coconut cake

If you’re like me, you’re thinking, “aqua-what?” So I checked it out. It’s viscous canned chickpea liquid. It’s a translucent vegan egg substitute. Maybe you knew that already.

Not that I have anything against seaweed soup as anyone’s first course, but here’s what happens when you limit your search to the top trending 2017 Thanksgiving foods and their corresponding “how-to” videos:

1. turkey
2. stuffing
3. gravy
4. yams
5. apple pie
6. mashed potatoes
7. pumpkin pie
8. green bean casserole
9. cranberries
10. sweet potato pie

Now here’s my point. We are a diverse nation. This year has included a lot of cultural and political heat, and I’m not talking about the kitchen. Has anyone besides me longed for a simpler and gentler era? But when it comes to Thanksgiving, we all basically agree on the same stuff. And stuffing. (That food list would have been nearly identical in 1967.) Three cheers for green bean casserole! If you really want reconciliation, instead of opening a can of worms, open a can of Campbell’s.

As you enjoy your feast with family, friends, and even some folks with whom you might not agree on every point of dinner conversation, give thanks (First Thessalonians 5:18). Don’t be a crab. And, for heaven’s sake, don’t be a jerky.

Pastor Charles