Even more perplexing than the delusional “transformation” of Bruce Jenner into “Caitlyn” was the sweeping universal lauding by all in the media of this morally reprehensible act. Even conservative pundits such as Bill O’Riley and Megan Kelley applauded Jenner for his “courage” to be himself. To be sure this is nothing more than just another brick in the wall on the imperial advancement of the homosexual agenda in American culture; a culture no longer on the brink of collapse but now with feet firmly planted in the rubble of postmodern debris. Have no doubt about it, we are in the throes of what ethicists and sociologist of the church modern and old, warned about. Men like Carl F. Henry, Francis Schaffer, and today, David Wells and Albert Mohler have long been pointing out the obvious; that the days were coming and now are when good will be called evil and evil good. This raises so many questions all across the theological, philosophical and ecclesiastical landscape— questions that are developing faster than responses can be fully formulated. We are in the whirlwind of man’s diabolical autonomy. But in the midst of such fierce rebellion, many important issues need addressing. The supreme question from which all the others are derived and intimately connected is, how to minister in a post-modern, indeed, post-Christian culture. Let me take a moment to suggest something in the spirit of the late Francis Schaffer— weep for the culture. Jeremiah’s oracle is an appropriate lament:
Jeremiah 9:3–6 3 “They bend their tongue like their bow; Lies and not truth prevail in the land; For they proceed from evil to evil, And they do not know Me,” declares the Lord. 4 “Let everyone be on guard against his neighbor, And do not trust any brother; Because every brother deals craftily, And every neighbor goes about as a slanderer. 5 “Everyone deceives his neighbor And does not speak the truth, They have taught their tongue to speak lies; They weary themselves committing iniquity. 6 “Your dwelling is in the midst of deceit; Through deceit they refuse to know Me,” declares the Lord.
The Bruce Jenner fiasco is American culture accepting the lie and calling it truth. It is reveling in doing what is right in our own eyes, it is thinking our thoughts after ourselves, it is erecting the idol of self above all else, it is professing to be wise and exchanging the glory of the infinite for the shame of the finite; it is hating God (cf. Rom. 1.18-32). But all of our ministry must be leveled at bringing the message of redemption to an unredeemed people. Redemptively speaking, the gospel provides us with gnomic truth of incomparable goodness. The good news is that God has revealed himself. The bad news is that God has revealed himself to be in opposition to the very things our culture loves (1 John 2.15-17). The infinitely good news however is that what God gives is infinitely better through Jesus Christ. Christian hope distilled for our nation means hope for the vain heart of America; a hope however, unlike the things which the Bruce Jenner’s of the world are hoping in. All flesh is like grass and like grass the now mutilated flesh of Bruce Jenner will fade. We have to show the culture we care more about them, their identity, their sense of self-worth and dignity than they do. Show them that they are living for lesser things, that Jenner’s vanity moment is really self-loathing, and that the pursuit of pleasure is misery without God. We merely need to watch the next few years of the Jenner saga to see the self-destruction that such a lifestyle will shortly issue forth in. Above all, we need to show the culture that Christ is more impressive than Vanity Fair. The bad news is that moments like this in American culture are a testimony to just how far gone our society is, the good news is that it results in an opportunity for believers to distinguish themselves with the holy love of God. Scripture has long prepared us for the intolerance of the so-called tolerance movement we face today, for Peter faced it in his own day:
1 Peter 4:3–6 3 For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. 4 In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.
Sola Fide
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