When you see the title of this article (link below) and its reference to the British Government, you may be tempted to say, “Why should I worry about that. That’s not happening in America?” My answer, not yet! In Britain, two women are set to argue their right to wear crosses in their workplace in spite of the government arguing against that right. They claim that they were victims of discrimination when they were barred by their employers from wearing these symbols. Personally, I’m not overly interested in the legal basis the government has for its case, but more interested in some of the other details of the article. One such detail is that a group of Christian ministers are set to testify on behalf of the government. They will argue for the employers’ right to disallow an employee from wearing a cross because it is not a requirement of the Christian faith. I find the actions of these ministers unconscionable. Now, I don’t believe that any Christian symbol or Christian picture can adequately describe all that God is and has done, and I personally don’t wear a cross. But for a government to attempt to dictate and for ministers to support them is both inappropriate and sad, no matter the legal argument they make. We can no longer remain naïve and think this sort of thing happening in the United States is impossible. All we have to do is consider what has already happened, and how many of our Christian liberties have already been trampled on. So what is the cause for this bias toward Christianity or any expression of it?
I believe this is one step in a process that has been taking place for some time. Make no mistake; liberal theologians have a problem with the cross. They have a problem with the fact that God would give His own Son to pay the penalty for sin. Theologically, their problem is with the doctrines of atonement and propitiation. The atonement is the work that Jesus Christ did in His life and death to restore our broken relationship with God resulting from our sin. It is where Jesus propitiated, or took upon Himself the wrath that we deserved, wiping away our sin and turning that wrath to favor. Many people do not want to accept this Biblical truth. They deny that God is wrathful toward sin and that salvation comes only by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ. The exclusivity of Jesus Christ taught in Scripture offends many and any reminder of Him is thereby offensive as well. This is what we get in a postmodern world characterized by tolerance and a lack of belief in absolute truth. The irony is that postmodern thinkers fail to tolerate Christianity precisely because of the absolute claim it makes regarding salvation. God’s Word says we are not to fear these people, and we don’t fear them, but we do need to be more aware and prepared as we encounter the subtly in which secularism progresses. At times, that progression is not so subtle and unfortunately, as in this case, there are instances in which some in the church side with the secular argument. It is important for us to know what God’s Word says about Christ in order to stand against those who would deny Him.
The cross is necessary. No, wearing one is not a requirement of the Christian faith. But it is a reminder of our Savior. It’s a reminder of what He went through for you and me. The best part when we think about the cross is to remember that Jesus is no longer on it. He conquered the cross and now sits at the right hand of the Father, interceding for you and me, sovereign over all. So we do not fear as the battle proceeds, but instead continue to pray and love an unbelieving world with the Truth of God’s Word as revealed in Scripture. The real truth is that the battle has already been won and all that is left now is for God to rescue the prisoner’s.
Unveiled... 