The Sins of the Nation

By Rev. Thomas V Parrish

In the Bible they called it the choice between God and Garlic (Numbers 11: 5). Our nation faces the same dilemma only now we make the choice between God and the stock market. Pastor Parrish claims the impeachment of the President reveals more about America than it does about Mr. Clinton.

The last eight months in Washington D.C. have revealed more aboutthe state of the American people than they have about the sins of the President. It has been astounding and saddening to watch poll after poll declare that as a people we don't care about our leaders' character or morality. What we seem to care about is our well being, our security, and the stock market. This prevailing attitude will have more impact on the future of this nation than the indiscretions of any president.
Many Christians have spoken to me from across the country and their questions are the same, "What's going on in America? What has happened to morality and character? Where are the Christian values in American life?" These are very good questions! How is it possible that the most powerful nation on the face of the earth, built upon the revealed truth of the Bible, is now turning a deaf ear to the character of our nation's leaders?

The Real Issue
Judge Robert Bork in his new book, Slouching Towards Gomorrah: Modern Liberalism and American Decline, says that the real issue is a misuse of the Word of God. The prime example is found in luke 6:37, "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned." The idea that we ought never to "judge" someone or hold them accountable for behavior has become the cornerstone of tolerance. This thoroughly misses the truth of God's Word.
As we look back through the 1960's to the present, there has been a war of values going on in America. That war has been waged in the classrooms, the public area, and even the church. What has been the focal point of this war? Truth has become replaced by tolerance, love is devoid of right or wrong. "Live and let live" has become the highest form of morality. Those who claim that there are absolutes of truth and morality are portrayed as bigots. Anyone who claims that a lifestyle or behavior is taboo is labeled as being out of touch or as having a "phobia."

Like the frog in the kettle, truth, right and wrong, and traditional morality have been slowly but surely replaced with the new ethic of liberalism. The major vehicle for this new ethic has been the media. The media have embraced nearly every belief and lifestyle as healthy and normal, except those that are distinctly Christian. Even within portions of the Christian church, a new generation of leaders has emerged that has also embraced this liberal agenda. Many of these leaders have come out of the 1960's era, understanding full well that their agendas are best served by taking the long road of scholarship and church leadership. We are witnessing the results. What was at one time called sin is now an alternative life-style. Issues that would have resulted in leaders being kicked out of the church are today called topics of dialogue and understanding. Those who oppose this agenda are seen as the unenlightened fringe of Christianity.

It's No Surprise
Therefore we ought not to be surprised when so many still believe that character and morality are not vital issues in church or national leadership since we all sin and no one ought to judge anyone else. The majority of Americans who hold such views are only reflecting what they have been spoon fed for nearly three decades. Just as an ostrich puts its head in the sand, believing that all is well if it sees no danger, so America is putting its head of morality and character in the sand attempting to bury the truth. This approach to the central issues of life does not eliminate the truth of judgment of Almighty God.

One of the hallmarks of traditional Lutheranism was the insistence on law and Gospel. law points out our sinfulness and need for a savior. The Gospel points us to the saving grace of Jesus Christ. As we repent and walk in the truth of Jesus Christ, we have peace with God the Father. As I was taught in catechism and in the study of God's Word in seminary, this "grace" does not eliminate the judgment of God; it has only redirected it in our Savior, Jesus Christ. His death on the cross paid the penalty of my sin. As I trust in Jesus and put faith in Him alone, I walk in confession and repentance letting my mind be changed by the Word of God. God's wrath which I deserve is turned away, and I experience His grace. I am called to walk in this grace all the days of my life until the day of Jesus Christ.

We must not foolishly believe that any law, any speech, any edict from our leaders, both politically or in the church, will in any way defuse or sidestep the truth of God the Father in Jesus Christ. We may be like the man who jumped out of the ai rplane at 10, 000 feet without a parachute believing that all was well until that dramatic and sudden stop at the bottom. In just the same way, the majority of Americans can reject morality and character as vital to leadership, but that will not deflect that sudden stop at God's truth.

Our Response
How ought we to respond to those who believe that private behavior does not affect public policy? First and foremost, God's people must stand up for truth, for Jesus Christ, and for personal character. We must be bold, speak out, and not apologize for the truth. At the same time, we must speak with passion, integrity, intelligence, and mercy. We need to become the voice of reason and truth in this time of incredible confusion. Second, we must resist any urge to withdraw or hide away from the public arena. Just as the early Christians went into the arenas with the lions, so must we go into politics and the media with our Christian beliefs and convictions. Third, we must make sure that our private behavior is the same as our public behavior. We need to look deeply within ourselves and repent of sin. If we have hurt others, cheated them in any way, or neglected our responsibilities, then we must make restitution and seek to bring healing. Fourth, we must pray for our leaders and cry out to the lord for mercy. Finally, we must trust in Jesus who will have the final word in all matters even when justice and truth are steamrollered by those who oppose what is right.

The current crisis in the White House is truly the crisis of the nation. It is not merely whether this president will be preserved in office, but whether this nation can long survive. Any house built on the sand, says Jesus, will crumble and sink when the storms of life come along. Any house built on the rock will survive. Pray that this nation will come to repentance and embrace the truth of Jesus Christ and rebuild on the solid rock of morality and character.

*Thomas Parrish is the pastor of Vision of Glory Church, Plymouth, Mn., and an Advisory Board member of FOCl-POINT.