"You cannot legislate morality." Really?

How many of us have fallen for the myth that "you cannot legislate morality?" It's not whether morality is legislated...it is who's morality is legislated (thanks to Gary DeMar for pointing this out with such clarity in "Myths, Lies, and Half-Truths"). Certainly, legislated morality rarely convicts one's heart -- that's another matter entirely. However, Christians falling for this myth need to wake up. Atheists, agnostics, and others want their morality legislated. They scream "No!" when Christians try to do it, but that neither means we shouldn't attempt to do so nor does it mean that we don't have the right to do so (they clearly think they have the right to do so).

Will those of opposing views be offended by some Christian ethics? Of course. Yet, can the opposition be so blind as to assume that no one will be offended by their morality? Apparently they are so blind (I know I sure am offended by some of their views!).

Christian morality is considered by some (maybe even many) as bigotry today, whereas the in vogue morality of our day is seen as enlightened. Ultimately the problem comes down to one's presuppositions, and that's where the Christian worldview is literally the only one to hold its own. Atheism (which ultimately includes all non-Christian worldviews...another topic within itself) falls apart when it tries to delve into ethics, because its ethics are purely subjective and without foundation (no, "societal ethics" are not objective).

Without an objective foundation for morality/ethics, we are left with nothing more than the strong asserting their mere opinions on those who are weaker than them.

I wonder how much more bold Christians would be within the public and political sphere if we truly understood, accepted, and truly put ourselves into subjection of the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Of course, non-Christians want nothing to do with that, and claim that we should live "free of subjection to others" and "be authentic," along with other such self-refuting nonsense (if we're to live in such ways, we would have to subject ourselves to those who promulgate those ideas -- i.e., Jean-Paul Sartre, et al.).

It seems to me that most Christians today view Christ more along the lines of a.) some type of uber-Santa Claus, who they ask for whatever wants they currently have, b.) a free ticket to Heaven with no life-changing requirements to go along with it (note: faith alone saves, but our works are clear evidence of our saving faith -- see James, among others -- i.e., no changed life producing no good works likely means no saving faith, but just and empty false conversion -- see Matthew 13, especially the end of verse 8 and 23, which show results of conversion), or c.) some kind of "hoping God" who hopes that people will follow Him, but who really doesn't have much say or power over the matter (i.e., open theism).

Jesus Christ is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. He is the only Potentate (or Sovereign). See 1 Timothy 6:15. Yet somehow man (including many professing Christians) still asserts his supposed autonomy, nearly at all cost. What does the Creator and Sustainer of the universe do in response to our scheming against Him? "He that sitteth in the heavens will laugh: The Lord will have them in derision" (Psalm 2:4, ASV).

Paul tells us in Romans 1:21-22 that "[21] because that, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither gave thanks; but became vain in their reasonings, and their senseless heart was darkened. [22] Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools." Why are Christians so afraid to stand up to those who are "vain in their reasonings", who have "senseless" and "darkened" hearts, and who have become fools?

Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of God the Father with all power and authority in heaven...and ON EARTH (Matthew 28:18)! Philippians 2:9-11 states, "[9] For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Finally, 1 Peter 3:22 states, "who [Jesus Christ] is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him."

Scripture's witness to us is clear: Jesus Christ rules over us now (he has since His ascension into heaven). Why are we so timid as Christians? Should we temper our boldness with love and respect? Of course! However, that by no means relegates us to passive bystanders who sit here and wait for Christ to come and "rapture" us out of this mess (eschatological misunderstandings rampant in the Church today are another topic as well).  Do we worship a defeated Savior? Is He powerless to change the world? Far be it from the truth!

It's high time for Christians to take their dominion mandate seriously (Genesis 1:28). Saying that "politics is dirty", or "I don't like politics", or "my faith is a personal matter" are all cop outs that are incredibly unbiblical. We need to boldly speak the truth in love and stop being ashamed of standing for God's Word.

Be bold! ...but get educated. Here are some great resources that will be helpful to that end (this is a very short list...but something to get you started):

  -- The Bible (I recommend the ASV, ESV, NASB, NKJV, or KJV...the NIV is OK)
  -- Myths, Lies, and Half-Truths (Practical)
  -- Too Busy NOT to Pray (Practical)
  -- Basic Training for Understanding Bible Prophesy (Practical, Theological)
  -- Debating Calvinism (Theological)
  -- Harmony of the Westminster Confession and Catechisms (Theological)

Soli Deo Gloria!

Here we go!

I simply have had far too many thoughts over the past few years that have been stifled simply because I haven't taken the time to set up my own blog (and I'm a Web developer!). It is high time that this drought ends. ...more to come shortly.

Soli Deo Gloria!