Today’s Issues and the Church

by Timothy Teuscher

Diversity… Inclusiveness… Social Justice… Woke Culture… Critical Race Theory… Gender Identity… Cancel Culture. We’ve been inundated with these terms over the past few years by the media, politicians, educators, advertisers, the sports sector, businesses, entertainment industry, and, yes, even religious leaders. Many have jumped on the bandwagon, not only promoting such things but condemning those who don’t march in step with what is currently deemed socially and politically correct.

It’s tempting to throw up your hands in despair over the promotion of ideologies which are contrary to God’s Word. But St. Peter reminds us that, as “sojourners and exiles” (1 Peter 2:11) in this sinful and unbelieving world, we should “not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12). In fact, all such confusion ultimately has its origin in the devil, whom Jesus calls “a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).  

And notice what the apostle goes on to say: “Always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15). What defense—the Greek word is apologia or apology—what answer can the Church, can we as individual Christians, give to these things? I would suggest that one way is to turn the tables, so to speak, on these words and phrases that are tossed about so glibly, so falsely, and so carelessly.  

In fact, all such confusion ultimately has its origin in the devil, whom Jesus calls “a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).

After all, is not Christ’s Church the true ‘cancel culture’? Peter declares: “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19). Or, as Paul writes: “God made (us) alive together with (Christ), having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This He set aside, nailing it to the cross” (Colossians 2:13-14).

Is it not in the Church where ‘critical race theory’ is a reality? Peter says: “You are a chosen race” (1 Peter 2:9) to all believers in Christ, whether they be Jews or Gentiles. We are, as St. John describes the vision given to him of Christ’s Church, “a great multitude from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages” (Revelation 7:9).

Is not the Church the true ‘woke culture’? Jesus says: “Stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36). Likewise, Paul writes: “So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober” (1 Thessalonians 5:6).

Is it not the Church where true, God-pleasing ‘inclusiveness’ and ‘diversity’ is manifested? “Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all,” Paul says (Colossians 3:11). And further: “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them” (Romans 12:4-6).

Is it not the Church where true, God-pleasing ‘inclusiveness’ and ‘diversity’ is manifested?

Is it not Christ’s Church which proclaims and reflects the truth regarding ‘gender identity’ and related issues? That, when it comes to our redemption and our relationship with God, it is indeed true that “there is no male or female, for you are all one in Christ” (Galatians 3:28); but, at the same time, that this does not negate God’s original creation of male and female and His institution of marriage between one man and one woman, as Jesus Himself makes quite clear in Mark 10. The apostle Paul brings both of these truths together in these words: “As the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:24-25).    

Is it not members of Christ’s Church who are concerned about and engaged in bringing real ‘social justice’ or, more accurately, ‘works of mercy’ to others? The apostle puts it very simply: “As we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone” (Galatians 6:10).    

Instead, therefore, of bemoaning this proverbial walk of so many on “the way that leads to destruction” (Matthew 7:13), the apostle Paul encourages us in these words: “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Colossians 4:5-6).

And let us do so by praying ever more fervently: “Dear Father, Your will be done, not the devil’s will or our enemies’ or anything that would persecute and suppress Your holy Word or hinder Your kingdom. Grant that we may bear with patience and overcome whatever is to be endured because of Your Word and kingdom, so that our poor flesh my not yield or fall away because of weakness or sluggishness” (Large Catechism 3:67).

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Rev. Dr. Timothy Teuscher is President of Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC).

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