It's Not That Easy June 23, 2016

As I read through the headlines in today's newspapers/blogs/on-line news sources, I am struck with just how much more difficult it has become to navigate the world as a Christian.  The issues that are at the forefront of today's public debate were not even being considered when I was growing up.  I can only imagine how much more change has taken place since my parents and grandparents were growing up.

I can remember the main source of doctrinal dispute in my church growing up was the six 24-hour creation days vs six time epochs.  Homosexuality was wrong.  Abortion was always a last resort.  Assisted suicide was never considered.  Transgender was unheard of, and men were preachers.  You accepted Christ as Savior.  Got baptized.  Went on a summer mission trip to an inner city neighborhood or poverty-stricken area in Mexico.   And, oh yeah, better not get caught with a beer in your hand.

Today public debate rages on about these and other issues, and this debate is spilling over into the churches.  Mainline Christian denominations are accepting gays into their membership with some even ordaining homosexual ministers.  Marijuana is become legalized in states across the country.   Five states have legalized physician-assisted suicide.  Women behind the pulpit no longer raises  an eye-brow in most churches.

I am not here to argue the right or wrong of these changes.  That is for another time and place.  But it seems  that today living a Christian life requires more thought and reflection than ever before.  It is no longer about singing four verses of "Amazing Grace", tithing 10%, and donating to the Lottie Moon Christmas fund.  How do we connect with those whose lifestyle is radically different from ours?  What if our childhood-instilled doctrine was incomplete or incorrect? 

I had always assumed as I got older I would see things more clearly.  Age would give me the wisdom to be better determine the "rightness" of all things.  HAH!!  The older I get the more I wonder about what I learned in Vacation Bible School many years ago.