Thursday Theological Thinking

Yesterday I posted a link to a recent article on CNN stating the latest numbers from research performed by Planned Parenthood's research arm and as such, not typically prone to unbiased research. Rather than getting into why that's important, let's leave it at the fact that when research is performed by a biased group (liberal or conservative) it very often is done primarily to try and influence funding toward their organization in some way or another. In this case, it's fairly certain that the research's aim is to stop government funding of abstinence education in any shape or form so that pro-abort groups can get back in charge of education our youth (which is clearly not going to uphold any kind of conservative value, let alone Christian values.)

I agree with those of you who mentioned that part of the problem is that parents have begun to abdicate their responsibilites to the government in the form of their teachers. Sex ed isn't something that should be taught in schools, it's the responsibility of the parents and only the parents. So when coming from the government with no moral background attached, a message of abstinence without a Christian world view is ridiculous. A message of anything other than abstinence with a Christian world view is reprehensible.

The discussion that ensued reminded me of a rather heated discussion that some friends and I had in college that later became known as "Intelligent Sin". The argument is, essentially, that kids are going to have sex and so the realistic thing to do as parents is teach them about birth control and STD prevention so at least they don't get hurt or hurt someone else or bring a child into the world. There are varying levels of parental response that could go behind this, such as "We'd prefer that you didn't, but since you're going to anyway..." or "Yes, premarital sex is sin, but here's how you avoid some of the consequences..." etc. Some of my friends had no problem with this tack.

I do. Here's why. Let's say that the sin in question isn't premarital sex but instead worshipping idols. We would never countenance a Christian parent saying to their child, "Look, I'd prefer you not practice wicca, but since you're going to, here's a book of good spells so you're only being a good witch, not an evil one." So why, when looking at premarital sex do we suddenly start becoming so much more lenient and concerned with "realistic options"? And how do we justify the double standard we create by doing it? How do we explain to our children that no, premarital sex is a sin that you can get away with - just use a condom, but adultery? That's a sin. Period. No condom will protect you from that. Why is it ok to have sex with whomever you choose before you're married but not after? Either sex outside of marriage is sin or it isn't.

Either it's realistic to live as a Christian or it isn't. Either we strive to flee the devil or we don't. Either we pass these values on to our children, or we don't. But being a Christian in the world today is not easy and it's going to be harder and harder for each successive generation - this is the problem with living in a fallen world that is spiraling toward its end. Is it difficult to mature in today's society as a Christian committed to abstinence until marriage? Absolutely. Can it be done? Absolutely.

Being a follower of Christ was never billed as an easy road, and yet when we come to Christ we are called to walk it, without deviation and without hedging our bets. As Christians, we need to be bringing up the next generation to be a solid, committed generation for Christ, not one rife with compromise and justifications.

1 Peter 2:9 - 12
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.