The lack of moral outrage and the judgment of God
The other day I was in my car listening to the radio when the topic turned to Tiger Woods. The analyst began to wax eloquent in his pleading with Tiger to come out of hiding. The argument went something like this. “Tiger, this is America. Play golf; win a tournament, that’s all you have to do. The people will forget about what has happened. After all, why all the seclusion? You really didn’t do anything that wrong. You didn’t break any laws.” I was stunned but also realized I had just been given a glimpse into the heart of many in modern America. (My thoughts on Tiger Woods have been updated in the addendum below)
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining about second chances. I rejoice in the fact that God (and my wife) is willing to forgive seventy times seven. I need every bit of that grace in my life. I am simply reflecting on a country where so many seem to be unable to feel moral outrage any longer.
How did we get to this place in America? Where sin is not only accepted but in so many cases even applauded? Where stars on talk shows can openly parade their latest sinful endeavors while the audience not only responds with laughter but also with applause? Romans 1:18-32 gives the answer to how we can come to such a state. These verses tell us there is a tremendous cost in pushing God away. He will eventually remove His gracious, restraining hand and begin to give man over to their own base desires. The natural result is an unleashing of sin on that God rejecting people. This is why we are seeing a frightening escalation of every kind of sin imaginable, from sexual perversion to ruthless brutality. It’s all there in Romans 1 where God has outlined what it will look like when He begins to judge a society that has rejected Him.
Now back to my original question, why does moral outrage seem to be missing. How could a society slip so far that it would approve of sin rather than being shocked by it? The answer to that is in the last verse of Romans chapter 1.
Romans 1:32 (ESV) Though they know God’s decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.
One result of God giving man over to their own desires is not only greater personal sin, but also greater delight in the sins of others. Next time you see sin taken so lightly, even applauded don’t be shocked. Romans 1:32 explains why that is happening. When God begins to judge a nation one of the victims is moral outrage. It begins to die.
I was going to write about what the Christian response should be, but I thought it would be much more interesting to discuss it. Feel free to leave a comment. You don’t have to be a pastor or a theologian, you’re opinion is appreciated.
Bill
ADDENDUM: Since I first wrote this there has been a growing backlash against Tiger Woods and his actions. I believe that is only because of the extent of his moral indiscretions. Last I heard he was up to eighteen women he had been committing adultery with. When I first wrote this the number was 3 or 4 and that didn’t seem to be bothering people all that much. Even the sponsors had decided not to drop him. Instead of moral outrage I heard jokes about the situation, I heard people telling Tiger to come out and play golf, entertain us and we will forget. I heard people excuse his actions away by stating such things as “He’s only a man. What would you do if you had all those beautiful women wanting you?” So, I’m glad there is still a threshold that will cause a reaction when it is crossed but saddened on how high that line has been set.
Pray. (that is what our response should be~first). Be faithful. Trust. Obey.
We have seen this coming for many years. I was reading March 29, 2004 “Times Square Church Pulpit Series” last night in which David Wilkerson highlights Isaiah 3:1, “The Lord…doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread”
He said this clearly means economic disaster. And then he went on to say he believed this was what was ahead for America. Three and a half years later, we started to see it.
It parallels Romans 1 I think.
I have learned of colleges requiring their students to give persuasive speeches on things like “why God does not exist” or “why sensorship of nudity in the media is wrong”, or “why abortion is okay”…and in talking to the students about it (former students from our youth group from non-Christian homes), they don’t feel bad at all “persuading others” about what they truly don’t believe in their hearts.
(My son was asked to debate for the legalization of marijuana in his high school gov class, which upset me very much. It lead me to start asking questions…)
As I processed this, it became clear that erosion of concience is the devil’s goal. Youth have very little concience today. When I spoke to the youth at our church about things that God disapproves of, some don’t seem to get shook up in the least. They seem…numb. Asleep. Not all of them of course, generally speaking.
So what are we to do? What we have failed to do?? Pray. And speak the Truth whenever God gives opportunity.
God bless you!
Kathy
Not only is there a lack of moral outrage amongst unbelievers but it’s also in the Church of the Living God! More and more I’m shocked over things I hear Christians say or approve of. It seems there is a “new breed” of so called Christians today who don’t hold to the Word of God as their moral compass. (and really I wonder if these professors are really true converts).
A few months ago I was eating lunch with some people, all who were supposedly Christians. I heard one older woman tell another woman about how her daughter found a good man finally and that they are now living together and she had encouraged her to do so. I listened stunned as the other women around me agreed and justified it all by saying she deserved to find some security and a good man at last. I wondered to myself if these women were really Christians at all?! Later I talked to one of them and shared my concern and what scripture says about the appearance of evil.
My only regret is that I didn’t say something to all of them right then and there, which is what I would usually do as I am outspoken.
So I guess I would also add, where is the moral outrage amongst Christians today? “We judge among ourselves according to the Word of God” and Christian, we have that right and obligation to do so from God Himself. We need to speak up and represent God’s heart from what He say in His Word.
Now back to the main topic of this thread; yes I believe we have been “given over” as Romans puts it, to the Judgment of God. It’s scary to be in the midst of God’s judgment on a Nation but at the same time, God will use this to wake up His Church and separate the men from the boys so to speak. So for me, there is hope and good things to come out of the pain and suffering we will all probably have to go through. If we begin to see His Church rise up and have an impact on our world, then it will all be worth it. Lord have mercy.
What should the Christian response be? First, as Carri said, take a hard look at ourselves. If there’s a need for us to address sin, it’s primarily in our own lives and secondarily in the lives of fellow Christians. And second, do what Jesus commissioned his church to do — take his gospel to the world.
What should our response not be? We shouldn’t play the Pharisee by sitting and wagging our fingers at the immorality surrounding us. We shouldn’t applaud immorality, but it shouldn’t surprise us either. The remedy isn’t to pass better laws or come up with more persuasive arguments about why people should live better, as if either of those could overcome man’s sin nature or the judgment of God at work in a rebellious people. The only remedy is for God to change people’s hearts, and he’s given us a clear role to play in that process — continually share his good news with both the lost and those that profess to be Christians (including ourselves!).
These are great responses. As ockennedys said, our response should not be sitting back and wagging our fingers at those nasty unbelievers. Repentance must begin with God’s people. Until we repent and return to the Lord there is little hope for God’s judgment to be abated. If we get serious and humble ourselves, repent of our sins and call out on the Lord again I believe there is still time to stay God’s hand.
2 Chr 7:14 (NKJV) “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
First about the Tiger Woods thing. Here in Romania we only know what we see on CNN and there FB questions put out to people by CNN and I was actually surprised at the number of people who radically condemned him. I guess it suprised me because for the most part that is how the world lives and I didn’t really expect anything other than imoral living. I also saw a sports talk show on CNN where four famous athelets talked about Woods and they pretty much agreed that he blew it big time and only one said it didn’t suprise him as he is just aman like the rest of us. That’s the world we live in.
As for Romania , it seems that they thinks nothing of immoral living. It’s incredibley common in a country that claimes to be Christian yet they wonder why the country is so corrupt and God’s blessing is not upon them. I’ve shared the verse you quoted Bill, 2 Chron. 7:14 as an answer for those who wonder why their country is so corrupt and impoverished.
I agree that the solution is not better laws, or people to be more educated… but it’s a problem with the heart. Until God opens the eyes of a person to their own sinfulness there will never be change. It’s only in proclaiming the Gospel that is the power of God to save a soul from his sin and God’s wrath against that sin that there will ever be any real change. With Christ’s words ringing in our ears, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo I am with you always even to the end of the age” we should be doing just that.
I think as we go with the Gospel into the world it will be more effective if we are praying for divine appointment, for hearts that have been prepared from before the foundations of the world because God will be directing us to those whom He has prepared… This doen’t mean instant result, it means we go in faith proclaiming the Gospel. It’s the ONLY thing that will change the heart of a man and the only way people can changed .
Tim. You’re right about Tiger Woods. I have seen a growing moral backlash against his actions. I think this is because of the extent of his sin. Is he up to 18 women he was sleeping with now? When I first wrote this there were only a couple of women and at that time there was very little negative reaction. Even his sponsors were all sticking with him. People were joking about the situation rather than being outraged by it.
Thanks for pointing this out. I am going to add an addendum to my original article that speaks of this.
Happily there are many churches in the UK where the gospel is being faithfully preached and there are still many who love the word of God. Not all have bowed the knee to Baal.
However there is a lack of “moral outrage” even within churches and individual Christians because of infection by the world.
I have just listened to a sermon by Arturo Azurdia (USA) from John 13 vs.31-35 in which he deals with the drift in many evangelical churches from the core of the gospel. In the UK this is also very evident.
Not too long ago I attended a city Baptist Church en route to a holiday. I asked to borrow a church Bible as mine was deep in my baggage trunk. The steward seemed surprised and went under a table to find a copy which he dusted with his hands before giving it to me.
During the “sermon” the Bible was not mentioned and I paraphrase something that was said by a visiting preacher (not a Baptist).
He said, “We have stopped mentioning sin in our fellowship!” He expressed the view that such talk could drive people away and then went on to tell how he told one man that he was a fine Christian, to which the man replied, “But I am not a Christian!” The surprised man was then told that the minister thought he was.
That incident shocked me even though I sometimes watch some disturbing Christian TV programmes.
Sin has become a taboo subject in many churches and what can only be described as antinomianism is flourishing in many quarters. So if sin is not preached how can salvation be felt necessary?
Also I see a danger of what I call “cheap grace” amongst professing Christians which surely is linked to antinomian views.
There is also the distraction which comes from placing the social gospel above the read and preached word of God and love being expressed sometimes without the truth being shared. I feel that the social gospel should emanate from the preached word and be on our agenda.
Years ago I would have been hard pressed in the UK to even think who might be in the mind of the Apostle Paul in 2 Tim 4. Now Prosperity Teaching and the Power of Positive Thinking is the sort of scratching which itching ears find most pleasant.
I have just started to re-read a booklet entitled “Guilty Clergy” which was first issued in 1943 about 18 miles from my home in Kent. This deals mainly with an indictment against Anglo-Catholicism polluting the Church of England.
Ecumenism seems to have flopped in my opinion but Universalism is alive and well (or should I say very unwell) in the UK. Multi-faith is our next headache as is muzzling our voices against what the Bible prohibits. Perhaps Daniels will arise in our land. (Justin Peters is helpful on Daniel chapter 1 – “God is in control!”
One of the things which amazes but thrills me is that God in his mercy will definitely build his church. He allows us and calls us to be concerned about it but assures us that not one will be missing for whom Christ died.
I have heard from a reputable preacher in London that in his long years of ministry he has never known so many young people gathering for worship across the city on Sundays. One hopes the ministry of the word is included.
Also the problems we grieve over and pray about are to happen, 2 Timothy 3 tells us this in no uncertain terms.
I have tattered piece of paper affixed near my desk, it was given to me when I started this pastorate 25 years ago. It is from the pen of Oswald Chambers – “Be as stern and unflinching as God Almighty in your preaching, but as tender and gentle as a sinner saved by grace should be when you deal with a human soul”
I find comfort in the fact that the words I preach are not my words, I am simply a messenger charged with declaring the word of God. His word searches my own heart and must convict me before I can deliver it to others. It is a painful duty to make charges against others but surely it must be done in the Lord’s name.
Hey Ken. Thanks for your thoughts brother. It’s great to be hearing the opinions of others who have a perspective that is not American.
Hey Bill, I only heard about one incident with Tiger… This is a bit over the top, at least I think so… but is this something that is normal for the world? I think even the world may have a moral outrage for his behavior, yet I realize the world is polluted by sin and its effects to harden ones heart. The news is so full of sinful behavior of the grossest kind which makes Christ’s call to take the Gospel into this world that much more needful. We may think that the devil is winning the war but we must remember who is in control and be faithful to what God is calling us to, the great Gospel endevor and let God bring the fruit of slvation to those He is calling.
“but is this something that is normal for the world? I think even the world may have a moral outrage for his behavior”
I agree Tim. As I added in an update at the end of the story, the world has begun to react to his moral indiscretions. His sponsors are now pulling out one after another. I’m just amazed at how high the threshold was set for that to happen.
After walking with the Lord for these pase 32 years I have seen many Americian idols fall. Some professing Christians others Poiticians & Entertiners. The issue ofcourse is a socity that is post Christian and thus lacks self controll which is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Being a father of 6 daughters and a former youth Pastor I have admonished each of my girls to (in the words of the Apostole Paul) to “Beware of dogs” Reguardless of their pedigree or profession. So many today are past feeling having their concience seared as it were with a hot iron. Our only hope is revival as the renewing work of the Holy Spirt leads us to repentance when we see the truth about our own depravity in the light of the gospel and grace of Jesus Christ.
The lack of moral outrage is also the result of the frog in the kettle syndrome.
Amen. A slow but steady acceptance of what we use to be shocked at. We are so bombarded with sin through the media and those around us we can become numb.
One example is the new Carls Jr. advertisement for some salad they sell. It is close to being soft porn. It came on a few times last night as I was watching the Lakers game. I had to divert my eyes.
Job 31:1 (NIV) “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl.
Our society is being swept downstream in this flood of immorality and there are very few areas left untouched. The believer must be diligent to guard their hearts against this deadening effect. If we don’t actively fight against it in our own life we will be moved by this tide into personal compromise.
Prov 4:23 (NLT) Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.
Wow, this is quite a topic and many excellent comments have been posted. Several have noted that the church has lost its proverbial ‘voice’ and I agree. In my opinion, this can, in part, be traced back to the 60’s when many of our traditional institutions underwent an unprecedented assault (in all cases ill-informed, in many cases ill-intentioned). The most critical institutions involved public schools (court decisions that banned school-sponsored prayer and bible study) and marriage/family relationships (free-love movement and ‘therapeutic’ abortion). These embryonic chinks in our cultural armor developed (as slippery slopes do) into a full onslaught where today’s public school teachers are told they can’t wear a necklace with a cross pendant, students are told they can’t use their bibles during private reading time, cohabitation, out-of-wedlock childbirth and divorce are rampant and abortion is available on demand throughout a pregnancy (and supported at tax payer expense).
If I had to try and pin-point the root cause for a lack of ‘Moral Outrage’ in America I would opt for the lack of quality bible teaching over the last 50 years in pubic schools, in homes and the church. As Carri noted we should have a situation whereby “We judge among ourselves according to the Word of God,” but this isn’t the case since most American Christians don’t know the Word of God (if recent Barna polls and surveys are accurate). Let’s take a for instance that’s germane to the discussion thread, John 8:1-11. When the woman caught in adultery is brought before Jesus (let’s not deal right now with the missing man in the situation), the focus is frequently on two of Jesus’ remarks “let him who is without sin cast the first stone” and “neither do I condemn you.” This leads biblically illiterate people to conclude: (a) that Jesus is against executing the kind of judgment and punishment required in the bible for the people of Israel (a theocracy) and (b) this should be applied to the way sin is dealt with in the church (i.e., never judge anyone). This is contrary to the Word of God when viewed in its entirety. For instance, Jesus also remarked “go, and sin no more,” pointedly judging her activity for what it was, sin.
Also misunderstood is that Jesus wasn’t just making up a new rule when he asked for an accuser who was without sin to cast the first stone (after all, if sinless perfection was required, no one in Israel would ever have been judged or punished and that clearly wasn’t the intent nor the practice). Jesus (who stated that he came to fulfill the law – Matthew 5:17) was strictly adhering to two passages in Deuteronomy. First, Deuteronomy 19:15 states “One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.” Next, Deuteronomy 17:6-7 states “At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; [but] at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death. The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people. So thou shalt put the evil away from among you.”
So, in order to stone someone, (a) the witnesses have to cast stones first (followed by non witnesses) and (b) the witnesses have to be innocent of the offense for which the accused was being stoned. A deduction in the John 8 passage is that Jesus probably wrote down all the adulterous transgressions of the accusers who then left one by one. At the end, without at least two accusers, the charges were not sustainable and she couldn’t be stoned. Had the hypocritical Pharisees not been guilty of adultery themselves, she would have been rightly judged and stoned and Jesus (ever observant of the law) would not have objected.
Even though the above sounds harsh and unfeeling and unforgiving, I am trying to make a point about properly dealing with the Word of God using this example passage (Pastor Bill, please chime in if I botched this). Today, when we deal with sin in the church or public realm, we should be informed by a right understanding of the Word of God. This is not a trivial enterprise and is not in keeping with today’s American culture of fast and easy endeavors (everything from food to relationships). With the structural and cultural underpinnings of quality bible teaching removed (from public schools, homes and churches), biblical ignorance, including not knowing what constitutes ‘moral’ behavior nor when ‘moral outrage’ is appropriate, logically follows.