By Mike Willis
In March, Reggie White, a pro-bowl defensive end who most recently played for the Green Bay Packers and who will probably be a Hall of Famer, caused quite a stir when he spoke at the Wisconsin State Assembly. He spoke about homosexuality as a sin saying that homosexuality is “one of the biggest sins” in the Bible. He continued, “Homosexuality is a decision. It’s not a race. . . . People from all different ethnic backgrounds live in this lifestyle. But people from all different ethnic backgrounds also are liars and cheaters and malicious and back-stabbers.”
The news reporters zeroed in on his statement, condemning him for his judgmental statements. When he was interviewed on 20/20, White did not back down. He said, “I am going to speak the truth. . . . If people think that’s a contradiction and that’s hate, they need to take them up with God, not with Reggie White.”
The response to White’s statement has been interesting. Although Nike and Edge Gel continue to use him as their spokesman, Campbell Soup let White’s endorsement contract expire days after the statement. CBS had a job offer on White’s desk for him to be a football analyst for the network. Although the job was practically in the bag, CBS Sports withdrew the job offer.
The interesting thing about this is that those promoting acceptance of the gay lifestyle insist that we should tolerate alternative lifestyles. Yet, the Christian lifestyle, with its moral beliefs, is not tolerated. It is condemned by those preaching tolerance. If White’s contract had been withdrawn because he announced that he was homosexual, the civil rights activists would have been up in arms because of CBS Sports’ action. But when CBS mistreats one who openly espouses his Christian beliefs, his job offer is withdrawn and no one raises an eyebrow. Make no mistake about, American culture is moving toward persecution of Christians.
We Are In A War
Christianity has been presented in most denominations in such terms that its militancy has been removed. The denominations are preaching about love in sentimental terms (not agape love), substituting pop psychology for the gospel, and employing entertainment groups to draw a crowd. However, the crowd is composed of people who believe anything.
A few years ago, one of the denominations was revising its songbook and decided to remove “Onward Christian Soldiers” because of its militancy. The truth is that people, including some among us, would remove all references to Christian warfare from our Bible. But consider these texts:
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses (1 Tim. 6:12).
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith (2 Tim. 4:7).
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching there- unto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints (Eph. 6:10-18).
Our adversary, the Devil, goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet. 5:8). The serpent of Revelation 12, frustrated in his attempt to destroy the child (Christ), turns its assault against the children of the woman “which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Rev. 12:17). These passages and many others emphasize that we are in a war! At issue is not only the future of our country and the future of the church in America, but more importantly, our souls!
Those who are pressing to change the moral values of America have no qualms of conscience about preventing a Reggie White from having a job because of his beliefs about homosexuality. They will close every door of opportunity for him they can just as they did the same for Anita Bryant. We are in a war!
These are the same forces at work who will use statutes aimed at destroying the Mafia to stifle peaceful protests at abortion clinics. The same ones who defended those who marched in the streets and burned buildings to promote the civil rights agenda will use the law to silence those who oppose abortion! We are in a war!
Those who are preaching tolerance are most intolerant!
The Warfare in the Church
Make no mistake about this warfare. Its proponents have influence in the Lord’s church. Those who are saying that we should tolerate the preaching of diverse doctrines about divorce and remarriage work to cut off the support and close doors of opportunity for preaching for those who oppose these loose views on divorce and remarriage. Those who preach tolerance are very intolerant people! We are in a war!
One can watch the lectureships that are held around the country and see the intolerance. Those who have been outspoken in opposing the view that places divorce and remarriage in Romans 14 are not invited. How ironic! Those who claim that Romans 14 allows for “significant moral and doctrinal differences” have no room to tolerate those who differ with their interpretation of Romans 14. Those who preach tolerance are very intolerant people! We too are in a war!
Conclusion
The “toleration” movement is just another ploy of the Devil to desensitize us in our battle against sin. If we can tolerate homosexuality, although we are not “gay,” then we grant it acceptability and make those who oppose it “homophobic.” If we can tolerate the preaching of loose doctrines on divorce and remarriage, although we do not believe them, we grant them acceptability and picture those who oppose those loose doctrines as loose cannons, spiritual zealots who are a greater threat to the church than those who preach their loose doctrines on divorce and remarriage. Shades of Reggie White!