Conservative Confusion

by OriginalSoapbox

The day after the town of Dover, PA voted off its school board the members who supported mentioning the theory of intelligent design in the school textbooks, a prominent evangelical conservative made a characteristically unfortunate statement on his television show.

“I’d like to say to the good citizens of Dover, if there is a disaster in your area, don’t turn to God. You just rejected him from your city, and don’t wonder why he hasn’t helped you when problems begin, if they begin, and I’m not saying they will. But if they do, just remember you just voted God out of your city. And if that’s the case, then don’t ask for his help, because he might not be there.”

This is wrong on so many levels. I’m not sure why the speaker would call the citizens of Dover “good” when he’s basically telling them to go to hell. And I wasn’t aware that God is subject to the political rules of our democratic society. He’s present whether we want him or not. But these are mere quibbles compared to the insanity of the major premise. To tell people who’ve (supposedly) sinned against God that God will not hear them if they repent goes against everything Christians believe.

First, we recognize that repentance itself is a gift of God’s holy Spirit. It is God who turns hearts toward himself. We are also told that this gift is freely given to anyone who asks for it. Who is the man who is arrogant enough to speak for God and deny the free gift of repentance to fellow sinners? Second, God has promised to forgive anyone who repents. Jesus, the Son of God, died to pay for the sins of those who repent and trust in him. Is the blood of Christ not powerful? Who is the man who will deny it to repentant sinners? Third, God does not punish those who turn to him. He uses circumstances to cause us to flee to him. Those who turn to God do not continue to be punished. God will turn their mourning into joy.

Some might call this man’s idea the Old Testament view of God. Not quite. It’s true that in the Old Testament God often judged his people when they turned away from him. But why did He do this? It was to compel his people to turn back to him! God does not reject us when we sin. He offers forgiveness and he shows mercy.

This short-sighted, vengeful expression of human pique does not describe the God of the Bible. “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. He will not chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.” (Psalm 103:8-10 ESV)

These comments are not Christian, nor are they true, nor are they charitable, nor are they wise. They should not have been said. Christians in positions of influence must carefully examine their speech for soundness, truth, and charity – not spout angrily over perceived insults to Christianity.

Source: York Daily Record

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