The speech behavior of the Westboro church folk is abominable, but I think well within the boundaries of free speech in that no harm was inflicted upon the target family other than a temporary emotional ordeal. The primary purpose seemed to be to obtain publicity for the church's families views on certain subjects. We had a prominent pastor of a local church state( to paraphrase) that the 911 terrorist destruction of the twin towers was caused by American citizens sinful ways. This type of behavior is rampart in current political ads and candidate comments regarding their opponents. The magazine "Newsweek" current issue contains a long list of outright untruths and insinuations publically made by both major parties. In this case to obtain political gain.
As a wag once said "If God had knowed the facts He'd have said/done the very same thing".
I am very concerned that government changing of current legal interpretations of past cases regarding free speech will go too far in restrictions and do more harm than good.
When thinking about this situation I pondered 3 questions:
ReplyDelete1. Is what they claim true or false?
While a lot of people don't like the idea of God causing pain or suffering or punishing people/a nation because of some wrong or sin, I personally cannot justify placing this kind of action outside the realm of what God may do. Though WE are individually instructed to live peaceably, turn the other cheek, love our enemies, etc.; we are told to do so on the basis that GOD will indeed take care of the justice part of things.
Romans 12:19 says, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”
And, speaking of rulers, Romans 13:4 states, “For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.”
Certainly God is patient, long-suffering and merciful and does not repay us for every wrong-doing right away; but I see this as a gift of grace and not as an obligation on God’s part in all situations. From what I understand, God is All-knowing and All-powerful and may take vengeance or meet out justice whenever, wherever and however God chooses.
Isaiah 45:7-9 gives an awesome declaration of God’s transcendence and sovereignty,
“I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil:
I the LORD do all these things.
Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness:
let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together;
I the LORD have created it.
Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker!
Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say
to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?”
Finally, I also believe the prophetic office and calling continues today and that there are indeed those who are gifted by the Holy Spirit to proclaim God’s Living Word to contemporary culture and situations. I try to be careful to respect ANY prophetic claim on the basis that I do not know with certainty what God can and cannot or will or will not do and I would rather allow some false things to slide through than to be found contending with God. I believe the Bible is clear that homosexual behavior is not pleasing to God and I believe God is free to respond to governmental policies and to act in the world however He wants… so I can’t see any theological reason why the church’s claims couldn’t be true.
2. Should they have expressed it where, when and how they did?
ReplyDeleteWhile I can’t say surely that their claim in general is not true, the manner in which it was expressed does cause me to wonder. First, I don’t think any human has the insight or authority to judge that another is going to hell. It’s just not our place. Jesus is the judge and He will make that decision when we each stand before Him to give an account of our lives. (Romans 14:10-13) Second, it seems rather inconsiderate and somewhat spiteful to protest at a soldier's funeral; and, if the soldier was one who practiced homosexuality, it seems personally hateful- which I do not believe is God’s heart. On the other hand, it is a fairly dramatic and appropriately symbolic way to express the message which is exactly how many of the Biblical prophets (both Old and New- e.g. Ezekiel, Agabus) communicated God’s Word. It may be that God chose this venue for those reasons, but that we, in our concern for human feeling over righteousness, focus on the discomfort such a display caused for that family. I would agree with most that God does not hate nor wish evil or death upon those who practice homosexuality any more than He does on those who commit adultery or participate in pre-marital sex (which, by the way, grieves me much more deeply since it results in the death of millions of unborn babies). In my opinion, it is not individual people with whom God contends in this manner as much as the larger social movement toward overlooking and condoning sexual sin as a matter of moral principle. We all sin and there is patience, forgiveness and grace for all of it… Praise God and thank you Jesus!!! But woe unto us when we begin to call good, evil and evil, good! (Isaiah 5:20)
3. Should the government do anything about it?
ReplyDeleteHere I agree with Henry. The protesters’ actions were well within the bounds of free speech and I worry about government intervention and restrictions doing more harm than good.