A REALISTIC LOOK TO THE FUTURE

A REALISTIC LOOK TO THE FUTURE

by J. PAUL NYQUIST

The dominoes are falling, the latest being the U.S. Supreme Court's Obergefell v. Hodges ruling. This was not the first toppled domino, nor will it be the last. With this landmark decision, our culture took a giant step away from biblical values. Armed with new momentum, supporters of same-sex marriage will press their case broadly, seeking to expunge any resistance to full integration of this value into our society. Pastors and Christian leaders need to have a realistic view of the challenges we will be facing. First, expect an increase in litigation. As those who hold to the authority of Scripture, and therefore outliers in this culture, we can expect legal pressure to conform to these values. While no one relishes the expense and exposure of mounting a legal defense, as long as we have the law on our side, it is vital we do so. The day may soon come when we no longer have the law on our side. This is biblical, as the Apostle Paul did the same thing on several occasions in the book of Acts. Second, expect a continued erosion of religious freedoms. Currently, churches and religious organizations are protected against discrimination suits through religious exemption language. Expect these exemptions to disappear. In the process, we will be cast as hateful bigots who oppose equal rights for all Americans. The ability to hire staff, recruit students, or do business in the public square in a manner consistent with Scripture will be severely impacted. Third, expect further isolation. If our voices cannot be completely silenced, we will be marginalized. Friends from the past will desert us and we will find ourselves increasingly alone. Such was Paul in his second Roman imprisonment when he said, "Only Luke is with me." However, in the face of all these challenges, we must remain godly and gracious. Now is not the time to retaliate but to seize the opportunity to display Christ to a secular, godless world. We can do so knowing our sovereign God is with us every step of this uncharted journey before us.

Dr. J. Paul Nyquist is the ninth president of Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL, and had served in missions, as a local pastor, and as a professor. He is the author of Prepare: Living Your Faith in an Increasingly Hostile Culture.