In an age increasingly seduced by the siren song of postmodernism, the Church finds itself at a crossroads, ensnared in the cultural zeitgeist that exalts the pursuit of self-gratification above all else. This is a world where the stench of postmodernism, with its rejection of absolute truths and moral certainties, seeps through the stained-glass windows of our sanctuaries, disrupting the sacred echo of Scripture with the clamor of cultural compromise.
The hauntingly beautiful truths that Paul penned to the Romans and proclaimed in Athens, though ancient, speak with startling relevance to our current predicament. These are not texts merely applicable to an ancient and bygone era but lifelines thrown to a church adrift in the squall of modernity's relentless quest for personal pleasure—from the unfettered championing of abortion and sexual libertinism to the subtle allure of wealth redistribution.
This postmodern maelstrom has not merely brushed against the Church's outer walls but has breeched its defenses, infiltrating nearly every denomination that claims vibrancy and life. The Southern Baptist Convention, for example, now finds itself wrestling with the issue of women in pastoral roles, a debate that rages like a tempest, challenging the biblical precedent on gender roles in church leadership.
Meanwhile, the Presbyterian Church in America faces its own storm over queer theology through movements like Revoice, with endless debates—debates that have been long settled by the revealed Word of God—swirling around how the church should navigate the tempestuous waters of sexual immorality and biblical fidelity.
Yet, these controversies are symptomatic of a deeper malaise—a willingness within parts of the professing Church to dilute, or even discard, the hard truths of Scripture in favor of a more palatable, postmodern blend of Christianity.
This broader acceptance of these postmodern principles—where subjective truth and moral relativity reign supreme—signals a dramatic shift within the Church. It's clear that the Evangelical community, historically the custodian of biblical orthodoxy, is now flirting with the very ideologies that it once stood firmly against. This is not merely about theological liberalism creeping into denominational creeds—it's about the very soul of the Church being contested in an age that abhors absolutes.
In this context, the inducement of Paul's messages to the Romans and his Athenian audience rings out with renewed urgency. It's a call to awaken from the slumber of compromise and to re-anchor the Church in the unchanging doctrines of God’s word. During these times of tumultuous change and cultural capitulation, the Church's mission to be a light in the darkness has never been more important.
Paul's declaration in Romans 1:18-22 pierces the veil of modernity's most cherished illusions. He unveils the stark reality that God’s wrath is kindled against all forms of ungodliness and wickedness, especially those who seek to suppress the truth of His existence and character. This suppression is not borne of ignorance but of a deliberate choice to reject Him.
The universe, in all its intricate beauty and order, stands as a testament to God's eternal power and divine nature, Paul proclaims in Romans 1:18-22: