An Ongoing Struggle

The church has endured many divisions since the Day of Pentecost.  When I began my ministry back in the early '70's a storm was brewing over the issue the Apostle Paul addresses in that Roman section which begins with the words, "For this reason God gave them up to degrading passions..."  (Romans 1:26), but back then it was impossible to imagine that it had the inherent power to bring so much division that denominations would split and people would forever separate themselves from one another because of differing perspectives.     

Over the decades of struggle it has seemed that the issue has ceased to be a theological issue and has instead become more of a cultural issue.  There have been many times in the history of the church when it was so influenced by culture that the Scripture was either ignored or simply interpreted to fit into a desired mold.  The most recent and most obvious example of this action take us to the church dividing itself over the issue of slavery.  The church has not always been attentive and obedient to the Word when the voice of culture becomes increasingly loud and persistent.    

Today's church is afflicted with many problems, but surely chief among them is its desire to blend into the world.  The church bends over backwards and inside out to prevent anyone from being offended by its message as it maintains a politically proper posture in the world.  There are times when the voice of culture and the voice of Scripture are simply at odds with one another.  In those moments our dilemma centers around knowing which voice to hear and to heed.  It is not always easy.