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 PrintableVersion The CommentaryBrace yourselves?I was rather hoping to be able to write a more upbeat editorial this month, but circumstances have conspired against me! Two matters have continued to dominate the headlines — the gay agenda and Islam. Tony Blair has explained that the major conflict of our world today is a confrontation between the forces of liberal democracy and those of totalitarian fundamentalism (with extreme Islam in mind). If we take that as a model for what is going on in our own country, then, apart from some marvellous intervention of God, there are only three possible outcomes, none of which looks comfortable for Bible-believing Christians and churches. Possible outcomesThe first possible outcome is that radical Islam wins. In late January, the newspapers reported that one in eight young Muslims admire al-Qa’eda and that 40% want shari’a law in Britain. The leader of the Conservative Party, David Cameron, has said that in some ways elements of the Muslim community are to be compared with the BNP. Also arrests took place in Birmingham of Muslims alleged to have plotted the abduction and beheading of a British soldier. Certainly, as we know from other parts of the world, if shari’a law ever did come into force in the whole or in parts of Britain, Christians would suffer. We would be the dhimmi. The second possibility is that somehow liberal democracy decisively wins the day. Then, with the powerful influence of the gay agenda and the antagonism against ‘religion’ generally which has been stirred up by religious terrorism, such a regime is likely to be aggressively anti the gospel. Not only has this been indicated by the recent willingness of the government (and the Conservative leadership too) to ride roughshod over the religious conscience in the matter of the Sexual Orientation Regulations, but it is also displayed by the actions taken by some university Student Unions to suppress the CUs on campus. What is worth bearing in mind is that those involved in student politics now are likely to be those involved in national politics in years to come. Their attitudes to CUs now may well be an indicator to their attitudes to Christians then. What could they do? Well, I think, for example, they could well press for the removal of the charitable status of all non-inclusive churches — i.e. churches that preach the need for conversion. And that could be just for starters. The third possible scenario would be if neither side wins. We would then be in the middle of an uneasy stand-off. There would be a desperate balancing act in which the priority would be at all costs not to upset different communities. Evangelism, therefore, is likely to be seen as extremely unhelpful. Perhaps, as in India, there would be attempts to maintain the status quo by the introduction of ‘anti-conversion’ legislation or the reintroduction of the ultra-politically correct ‘religious hatred’ bill which we narrowly escaped last year. God’s interventionSo, between liberalism and fundamentalism, as one friend put it, we may be caught in a ‘meat-grinder’ experience of trouble. As Christians we need to brace ourselves. However, even yet God may intervene. We pray for the Spirit’s coming in revival power. But it may just be that God will act in another way. Could it be that the cash-for-honours investigation, which has led recently to the arrest of two close confidants of the Prime Minister may yet bring down this government? If that is the case, it will not cause a major change in the direction of the country — for all the major political parties seem now set against Christian values — but it may at least provide a breathing space. John Benton© Evangelicals Now - March 2007 |
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