7 minutes

"In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us." Titus 2:7-8

A friend from my church sent out a link to this video and asked people to react and start a discussion. I was so inspired that I decided to share it with the world (or at least the imaginary people who read my blog).

Before we go on, check out Keith Oberman's special comment from MSNBC concerning Proposition 8 (to rescind legal gay marriage) in the recent California election:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnHyy8gkNEE

The first almost 5 minutes are truly amazing- I wish that more Christians spoke with such love, logic, and compassion. The problem begins, however, when Keith starts representing God. Our understanding of love, logic, and compassion are feeble when compared to our holy Creator. God IS love and truth. God designed marriage, and it models Christ’s relationship with the Church. Redefining the parties of marriage is just another expression of “original sin”- mankind determined to be equal with God. By disregarding God’s design, we are attempting to usurp God’s role as designer and, ultimately, Lord.

This current debate is similar to feminism which attempted to reorder the heterosexual picture of marriage. There were legitimate abuses of biblical headship that the women were right to be freed from- but the mission became more: not simply a “revolution” (literally returning to the original right way), but a “new order” with women assuming headship, too. I believe that the liberal media has a similar mission by making statements such as this one made on MSNBC. I can’t imagine a network giving a Christian leader like Rob Bell or John Piper almost 7 minutes on television to lovingly, logically, and compassionately plea with America to hear about Christ's sacrifice and be saved from an eternal hell.

May we as Christ’s ambassadors not fuel the gay marriage activists hurt by legitimizing their arguments through self-righteous attacks or slanderous jokes. The Church has definitely been less-than-Christ-like in these debates. We should take opportunities to defend the truth with our secular votes, but not with personal attacks or prejudice. How would a homosexual feel around you? Would they see Christ or simply “Conservative Christian politics”? Will you invest 7 minutes in your network of friends this week to show them the love, logic, and compassion of your faith in Christ?

in Christ,

Brad