15^th March 2011

 

If your response was anything like mine when I learnt that social networking played a significant role in the demise of President Mubarak of Egypt, a full scale realization hit me like a ‘ton of bricks' that we are living in a world of rapid change and amid complex issues. This is also true of changes raging across Australia and in the Church.

Over more recent years there has been a growing evolution of Para-church groups representing different Christian perspectives in what we might call the market place of public values and secular social engineers. Naming a few of the plethora of groups we could list Saltshakers Inc. Culture Watch, Family First Party, Australian Christian Lobby, Family Voice Aust., Australian Centre of Christianity and Culture, and Endeavour Forum.

I willingly signed the "Canberra Declaration" recently because it provided an opportunity for me to express my support for religious freedom, human life, marriage and family. Generally speaking I have always had strong sympathies for a conservative position that prophetically calls Society to account rather than conforming to a trendiness that simply upholds political correctness. This is why I respect those Apologists of our time who, after investing in sound research are not afraid to speak up.

In recent days however the socio-political stakes have been raised with the Labor Party seeking to placate the Independents and Greens. On the basis of returning democratic rights and self redetermination to the ACT the Labour party has approved and made not only euthanasia a certainty but it has also opened a back door to same sex marriage and the further homosexualisation of society.

The "Marriage equality Bill" also introduced by the Greens that attempts to amend the Marriage Act and to redefine marriage by saying that gender in marriage no longer matters has also now intensified debate. Federal MP's have been asked to consult electorates about their views on same sex marriage and there is growing pressure from the homosexual lobby and the main stream media to pass the Bill. This in turn has prompted Christian groups to step up opposition with open letters, social networking, petitions and numerous appeals claiming that Christian values are under attack.

On the "Canberra Declaration" website the "Good Marriage" campaign invites people to watch a You Tube video clip explaining Christian opposition to the "Safe" Schools Coalition Victorian programme that promotes sexual diversity and homosexual life style via primary and high schools. At the same time to coincide with the period of Lent an international "40 Days for Life " campaign has been launched as a period of intensified awareness raising. Among other things it states that permissive abortion laws will murder over 4,600,000 babies over the 40 day period of Lent!

While all of this is alarming, what is equally alarming is the aggressive intent and political scheming of minority groups to change the fabric of our Society. In fact the manner of this opposition lends weight to the opinion that beyond party politics there is a darker, more sinister conflict of a spiritual nature taking place.

In broad terms our nation does have a Christian heritage from which our important democratic right to speak up and contribute has come, and as Christian people who care we are obligated to constructively participate in that process. Having made that clear however, the complexity of our age now raises the question of how Christians should publicly participate. Some things are obvious. An emotional nostalgia that simply seeks to preserve past values in themselves does nothing to represent a Christian position. Neither is an angry defensive reaction helpful or a sensationalism that seeks to recruit by inflaming people's passions.

How do Christians respond faithfully and with integrity?

Firstly, Christians need cultural sensitivity. Media ratings in themselves should alert Christians to the fact that their values, rather than being the norm are increasingly radical counter cultural values, alongside of those of the average Aussie. This means a sort of Christian nationalism that assumes that Australia is or has been a "Christian country" is uninformed. To display an Australian flag on a letterhead with the words, "Protecting Australian Values" and to promote the "protection of Australian marriage" while well intentioned is simplistic and misleading. While it is true that many of our institutions and values have been derived from a Christian heritage there is no such thing as a pure Christian culture and neither is Christianity culture bound. It finds expression in many different social contexts and rather than primarily setting boundaries Christianity enlightens and enhances the best "life qualities" of a culture.

Secondly, to imply that there are connections between Christianity and militancy is not helpful. While we may legitimately pray for our nation it is not helpful when a Christian group assumes that their task is to ‘Change our culture for Christ" while another invites people to contribute to a ‘fighting fund' or to engage in a "battle to preserve marriage."

Thirdly, Christian integrity needs to avoid reverting to the weapons of the opposition. One group tends to make God dependent upon our zeal and resources by claiming that our effort will help to bring in the Kingdom. Another says, "God is helping us help Him help this nation." While this is a catchy slogan it overlooks the fact that our Sovereign God is already the God of the Nations. The gospel calls us to evangelise our opponents not to crusade in order to change their values or to "protect Australia's future."

We do not need to embrace an anxiety that adopts a rear guard defensive position. We certainly need to learn to network in order to be informed, creative and articulate, but let us not forget that ultimately the gospel has an authentic power that can speak for itself as it changes people's lives. The key values of the ‘Australian Prayer Network' and those adopted by ‘Transform Melbourne appear to be closer to the marks of the Kingdom as we encounter the complexities of cross cultural ministry today. These are the keys of servant-hood, humility, prayer and unity.

E.A. (Ted) Curnow
9 March 2011