Contra Mundum

There was a very good piece by Dr. Albert Mohler today on his daily podcast discussing the “age gap for gay rights.” Both my generation (Millennials) and the next upcoming generation are far more likely to support the LGBTQ+ movement than my parent’s or grandparent’s generation. Many of us young folk know gay people, have gay friends, and cannot help but empathize with their stories. Thanks also in part to mass societal pressures for normalization, LGBT lifestyles seem far more familiar today than they were 10 years ago, let alone 50.

Proponents of the light speed revolution often argue for their traditional counterparts to get on the right side of history. On a recent anti discriminatory bill, Delegate Mark Sickles urged his colleagues, “Your kids will be looking back on what you do today and how you vote on this bill.” A question of legacy is a strong appeal to get with the times or reap the consequences. Get on the train before it leaves you behind. Compelling.

And in a modern America with unparalleled interconnection, could there be anything more uncool than rebelling against the new and the trendy? There is indeed nothing particularly appealing about being known as backward for your beliefs or being labeled a bigot. Personally speaking I do not have a strong desire to have my current peers or future grandchildren laugh at my close mindedness.

No one does. Without a deeper law, acquiescence to the moral revolution is inevitable. It does not make sense to live otherwise.

In his podcast, Dr. Mohler does well to remind us of the 4^th century hero of the faith Athanasius. Against popular opinion and threats of historical alienation, Athanasius stood by the largely unpopular belief that Jesus was both fully man and fully God. “Athanasius, the world is against you,” his opponents exclaimed. “You are all alone.”

His reply: “Then Athanasius is against the world.” Contra Mundum.

St. Athanasius

The call of Christ is a call to live against the world. It is a call to stand even if you are standing alone. James 4:4 clarifies, “You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”

To be clear, this does not mean for Christians to live against homosexuals through demonization and hatred as many have. Nor does it mean to have an “us versus them” mentality with the LGBT community. Rather, to live against the world means to live in opposition to the "spirit of the age;" that ever-compelling, always subtle spirit which seeks to blur the lines and buy our souls in the process. Christ’s Kingdom is in opposition to that spirit—His light eradicates its darkness. Therefore there can be no conflict of interest in His followers. Either you serve Jesus or you serve the "spirit of the age." Following one means war with the other.     

A decision to live contra mundum will not be fun. You will not be promoted or celebrated. Like Athanasius, opposition to the world’s principles will always be met with hostility and derision. Maybe even your grandchildren will spurn you legacy.

Does it matter? It seems like a small cross to bear in response to our Savior, who for our sake was made "to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

Only let us hear His call and follow.