You are absolutely right in saying that politics always follows culture. When the Labor Movement wanted FDR's support for change in 1933 he told the leaders, "I am convinced of your position. Now go out and change the culture so they will force me to change the direction of the country." FDR was an astute politician regardless of your views about him. The same was true with Civil Rights. When MLK and his companions changed enough minds and hearts the political leaders were forced to move with the change. Conservative Christians do not seem to grasp this in our day. We can never impose our views, or God's law, on anyone. We can and must speak and live the truth, especially in our communities of faith. This will be a window through which the leaders will see the "righteous deeds" of the saints and glorify God on the day he visits us. What we need is a divine visitation, not a political movement.

In fact, the late Daniel Patrick Moynihan, a Democrat, said liberals want to change culture by changing politics and conservatives know you can only change politics by changing the culture. Somehow modern "so-called" conservatives lost this and thus lost their way. Could it be we "fight" for the culture since we no longer pray deeply and pursue one another in the love that creates unity among all true Christians?

I agree. I am trying my best to get the message to high school girls. I am involved in an abstinence conference called IT"S A GIRL THING! What would be so helpful is to have a way that is user-friendly to present the message. To make it fun in its presentation, to have a power point that is 2 minutes long. We need to understand our target audience and to fit the presentation to them. We all agree on the substance but now must take it to the next step to compete with the media and exposure that bombard them. It would be so cool to have a sitcom that deals with this message. But it would have to be fun and there is is the problem; the Godly lifestyle isn't always as enticing as sin. But we do need to offset the message to the under 30 crowd and encourage critical thinking for them. The question is how.

I am concerned with the HS statistics shown here. Do you have any specific materials that can be used with church youth groups with regards to attitudes towards homosexuality; sexuality in general for teaching the Biblical truths to teens? Thank you, Julie Hamilton

Thanks for another great article. I believe beyond a shadow of any doubt that the mass deception displayed throughout this campaign and during and after the election lays squarely at the feet of the Church as the 'keepers' and 'purveyors' of the Truth and the nearly wholesale failure to speak that Truth across this country! How else can you explain the obvious deception that was either ignored (willful sin) and/or completely unknown (lack of wisdom and discernment that comes from the Truth)?

I also believe that this is a wake up call from Christ to His Church!

Thanks for all you do and God bless in Christ!

In His service

Greg Williams

Dear Julie,

Thank you for your inquiry. In fact, in my forthcoming book, Uncompromised Faith, I address—in detail—the shift in sexual ethics and the history of these ideas and how they emerged in contemporary culture. In addition, I address the many myths and misconceptions surrounding homosexuality in a way that does not alienate those who are sympathetic to the gay movement. I have found this information very helpful in correcting the thinking of youth about such things as marriage and sexuality. You can pre-order at a discounted rate here: http://www.bookschristian.com/se/product/books/S_Michael_Craven/Uncompromised_Faith/561747/Uncompromised_Faith_Paperback.html

I hope this is helpful.

Blessings,
Michael

Michael. I just wanted to make an observation. My life from birth to age 6 was extremely turbulent, including two adoptions and numerous 'temporary' homes. From the age of seven I was raised in a Christian home. Although we didn't have a TV in our home growing up, I was so captivated by TV that I managed to find homes where I could watch TV throughout the neighborhood. When I established my own bachelor home I immediately purchased a TV. This attraction for TV continues into my married home. I felt cheated if I didn't watch 5-7 hours of TV daily. Movies were the same. During this time the Lord was active in leading me to an understanding of His desire for intimate relationship with Him. One day, while mowing, I 'accidently' mowed the cable from the antenna that was required to receive local stations. Suddenly, no TV! My wife and I had been challenged recently to observe a 40 day media fast to see just how much impact TV was having in our lives. This broken cable proved to be just the reason to engage in the 40 day media fast. We did, and quickly realized the HUGE impact TV was having. It wasn't just the quality of the programming, but the impact on our time and focus. From being a confirmed TV/Movieholic to being TV deprived, I have been set free! And my life in Christ grows stronger daily. I have come to believe that TV and movies are the MOST pervasive tool of satan to turn God's people away from Truth and into compromise. We still have a TV and DVD/VCR and watch movies, but we're very careful what movies we watch, and a majority of the time the movies we do watch are older ones we own (I've watched 'Facing the Giants' at least twenty times, one of my favorites). I'll take the risk of making a catigorical statement here: It is nearly impossible to maintain the kind of intimate relationship God desires with us while mainstream TV (network) and non-descretionary movie watching are part of your life! This is not the only descipline needed in our lives, just one important one.
Thanks! Bill

What a GREAT article. I just love the work you do Mr. Craven and pray for your strength and God's wisdom to continue to share and strenghten marriages -- and our society in general. Keep up the good work!

Your statement "by living under the authority of the king within our own lives" really calls us, the church, to get our lives right first. A true call to personal holiness is essential for our walk with Christ and as an example to the next generation. Thanks for the reminder. Yours in Christ, Don

I have been a Christian all my life. I ashamed at the way you put down homosexuals. You should educate yourself about the culture you are attacking. If Jesus was as exclusive as you how would the Gospel message have been spread? Love all God's children and learn something about a social group before you attack all of them as immoral sex freaks. Closed minded Christians like yourself are what is pushing us youth away from the church in the first place. Shame on you!

Due to example of some ministers & preachers younger generations do not know what it is to be totally committed to their spouses because they are not totally committed to our LORD Jesus Christ as evidenced in so many voting for Obama. They have false Shepherds for their Pastors.

Dear “Christian Love,”

I appreciate your comments, however it isn’t love to obscure or subvert the truth in an effort to avoid offending people. You suggest that I should “educate” myself about the culture I am “attacking.” First , to offer a contra position is not attacking, second I might suggest the same to you as it relates to Christianity. Either the Bible is a true and reliable source of truth or it isn’t. If it is, then homosexual behavior is no more consistent with God’s moral nature than lying or adultery. Your issue is not with ME; it is with Jesus Christ and what you believe it means to follow him.

I offer for example, If your friend were an alcoholic and this friend said to you, “If you love me, you will let me drink myself to death.” Would you? Would “supporting” your friend in his desire be an act of love? No! True love would compel you to intervene—to act in spite of your friend’s request. You would attempt to persuade him, you would likely take steps to eliminate any opportunities for your friend to acquire alcohol. You would do everything you could to oppose your friend’s desire if you truly loved him. He would likely be angry with you; it would be painful at times but “love endures all things.” This is love! It is not loving to condone behaviors that violate God’s law and destroy human beings. I sense you are young and you believe, as do many, that being “gay” is synonymous with any other romantic relationship. But this bears no relationship to the realities of a lifestyle that begins in pain, exists in pain, and tragically often ends in pain. There is propaganda and there is truth. I would encourage you to transcend the former in order to discover the latter. In this way, you will truly love people.

Blessings,
Michael

All I can say is thank you and praise God that there's a elite group of believers who will not compromise the word of God. To satisfy the cravings of the flesh. Thank you so much for if we won't stand for something we will compromised and go along with anything. Why not stand on the truth of God words to his covenant believers.