The Culture War-Defeat is Inevitable

Since about the middle of 2008 when the candidates for the fall presidential election were finalized, many evangelical leaders weighed in on the possibilities of having the various candidates elected. There were those who pronounced dire warnings and predicted doom and gloom depending on who was elected, particularly with regards to issues that are (or rather should be) of paramount importance to Christians-abortion and gay marriage. As I have read over the past few months, I have noticed many people expressing how disheartened they are after the results of the election. They talk about being discouraged, for instance, at the overturning of executive orders that banned federal money from being used for abortions overseas.

I share their grief. As I look at my children I am at a loss as to how anyone can say that a woman has the right to abort her child. I also am not looking forward to the attempt at expanding so-called “gay rights” by including homosexuals in civil rights legislation as a protected class along with race, gender, and religion. However, there is one thing that I have to constantly remind myself and ask my fellow Christians to consider:

You realize we’re going to lose this culture war, right?

I mean, we are seriously kidding ourselves if we think we’re going to have a victory party on this side of heaven. The New Testament tells us that there will be a falling away from the faith (II Thes 2:3). If that is the case, then why are we scratching our heads wondering why so many Christians voted for someone knowing that he was the most pro-abortion candidate they had seen in some time? When we see Christianity openly mocked and we are described as hateful and mean spirited because we call homosexuality a perversion we need to remember Jesus’ words in Matthew 24:9-14. He told us to expect this—it’s not like we weren’t given fair warning.

Now, I’m not saying we should just give up, lay down our arms, and quit proclaiming the truth of what the Bible says. What I am saying is we are not going to have victory over here on this side of glory. As much as it sickens me, homosexual marriage is probably going to be accepted by society. We should stand against it but that probably won’t make a ton of difference. I would give nearly anything to see Roe v. Wade overturned. However, from what I understand that alone would not make abortion illegal. Of course we should stand against abortion but I wouldn’t count on seeing that overturned in our lifetime. If anything, abortion rights are going to be expanded.

In short, we should recognize that we are not going to win this war. It’s a sobering thought. It’s reality. However, we should continue to faithfully proclaim God’s word both in word and in deed. Our victory celebration is not scheduled for this world, it’s scheduled for heaven. It is important to remember that as we face a world that is increasingly antagonistic to the Gospel and the truths in the Bible.