the sojourner

Sometimes, I get the distinct impression that the world doesn't want Christians to be part of it, nor cares about what happens to Christians as a result of this rejection.

As a Christian this shouldn't come as a surprise to me, for Jesus says the world will hate us (Luke 21:17, John 15:19). In one respect, the world's indifference to the suffering of Christians, its positive discrimination against Christians (be it refugees or natives), and it's vitriolic disdain for Christian ethics & morality in the aftermath of the "culture war" is a fulfillment of Jesus' own words and therefore circumstantial evidence of the truth of the Bible. It also means that as a Christian I am given opportunities to love my enemies (Matthew 5:43-44). Indeed, a correct biblical response to society's actions will lead to a greater Christ-like character in the believer as we look to Jesus' example of loving His enemies in the face of false accusations and crucifixion.

So, in one sense I should be grateful to be living in our modern, contemporary world. And yet, observing society's drifting from biblical norms and its recoil at God's sovereign authority over every sphere of human life leads me to wrestle with my place within it. Should I passively embrace the anti-Christian sentiment I see so prevalently nowadays (for reasons stated above) or should I seek to speak the truth - gently and in love - but no less courageously?

I deliberately remained silent on the Orlando shootings as I honestly didn't know what to say that would adequately convey my sincere sympathy for the victims and yet indignation at the media for deliberately putting LGBT lives above those of Christians and others who do not enjoy the privilege of the media's support. I think of the genocide of Christians and other religious minorities in ISIS held territory. I think of the Yazidis who have been taken as sex slaves by ISIS; or the victims of Muslim honour killings across the Islamic world, and the resurgent anti-Semitism in Europe and the West.

Western leaders have no problem declaring themselves to be "Je suis Charlie" in an act of solidarity with freedom of speech, or walks of solidarity with the LGBT community, yet there was never a "Je suis Christian" in support of freedom of religion and the Christians who died as a result of retaliation in the Islamic world for their act of defiance.

As one article I read put it, progressives believe in diversity as long as that diversity doesn't extend to conservatives. And both Britain and America seem to be prejudiced against Christian refugees who are fleeing religious persecution from within the Islamic world as evidenced by a recent BBC article as well as statistics released about the number of Christian to Muslim refugees who are accepted into America.

What does all this amount to? As far as I can see, a sustained anti-Christian inclination and bias within government institutions and the media. The recent exposure of Facebook whose trending feed censored conservative topics in favour of liberal ones is a good example of how intolerance towards anything resembling moral conservatism or evangelical Christianity is slowly influencing the way society thinks of and about religion and Christianity in particular. In the realm of social media this is being compounded by the filter bubble.

Does this mean I want Christians to be given priority in society? No. That is not what I am saying. I am not arguing for greater Christian "rights". This is not a "civil rights" issue. This is not about having a "martyr complex" either. As Christians we are sojourners in this world (1 Peter 2:11, Philippians 3:20). As such we should not love or hold onto the things of this world (1 John 2:15). I understand this intellectually and theologically. Understanding this emotionally is more difficult.

At this juncture I just want to take a few moments to express my feelings about the Orlando massacre. I grieve for the victims of the shootings as everybody, whether LGBT or not, is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). God says explicitly that murder is wrong because mankind is made in the image of God (Genesis 9:6). The murder of homosexuals and others in the "LGBT community" is wrong. I am saddened that there are people living in free countries such as the USA who feel that those freedoms should not be extended to certain groups within it.

I know Christians will continue to be at odds with society. We are walking along two parallel tracks, one heading to eternal life, the other destruction (Matthew 7:13-14). There is not a lot we share in common, except our humanity. And yet, our common humanity will not be enough to protect us from further progressive measures and societal prejudices against traditional Christian values.

So what I really want to say is that I see how the world is changing. I acknowledge the transformation taking place culturally. And while I continue to be a member of this world by virtue of my physical locale, I am living in another kingdom...a heavenly one. You may never agree with my worldview or beliefs, but I will still love you. You may oppose everything I believe in and stand for, but I will still speak the truth in love and so I want you to know it is not personal. If you are a fellow Christian reading this, then perhaps you can relate to what I am saying and in someway this blog has resonated with you? Let us take this sojourn together.

signed,

the sojourner.