Modern-Day Lepers | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction.
“I have heard it said that sex offenders are modern-day lepers,” he said. “That is probably pretty accurate. And we know that Jesus didn’t shun lepers. He loved them and healed them. He expects us to do the same.”
Seriously? Sex offenders = lepers? I don’t think so. Read the whole thing.
Q—My friend and I argue about environmental issues. He doesn’t think Christians should be worried about it, but I do. What do you think?
A—I think we should not worry about anything (Matthew 6:31-34). I think we should also be wise stewards of all of God’s blessings, including our environment. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean we must save the planet. Before we can determine was wise stewardship looks like, we must ask ourselves, “What does our Master desire that we do with His property?”
So, does God want us to save His planet? I doubt it. Genesis 3:17 clearly teaches that God cursed the Creation and Romans 8:20-22 supports this. The New Testament also foresees a day when God will destroy this earth with fire and create a new earth in its place (2 Peter 3:12; Revelation 21:1). Since He cursed it and will destroy it, I don’t think He wants us to save it.
So, what does He want us to do? Genesis 1 pictures all of creation as a life support system for mankind. It teaches us that mankind sits at the pinnacle of the created order—and everything else is intended to support our life. Wise stewardship, then, is caring for the planet to maximize human life. From shelter to clothing to gainful employment and all that life entails, we are to invest Creation in support of all aspects of human existence. This means all environmental policy, personal or national, must be judged by its impact upon people.
Recently Swiss authorities arrested Director Roman Polanski on an outstanding warrant. Years ago, Mr. Polanski raped a 13 year old girl, pled guilty than fled the US before his sentencing. He has been living in Europe trying to avoid the consequences of his despicable act. Now, it would seem, he may finally pay the piper.
Yet, throughout America celebrities seem up in arms. Whoopi Goldberg excused him because it wasn’t ‘rape-rape,’ whatever that means. Diplomats and stars alike are shocked, not at Polanski’s crime, but at the authorities from having the audacity to arrest him. As shocking as that sounds, should we really be shocked? No, I don’t think so.
You see, darkness HATES light. Polanski’s crime, and cowardice clearly fall into the category of darkness. He has spent a large portion of his life avoiding the light of justice. His amoral Hollywood and political compatriots may not like what he did, but they have an equally visceral hatred for light. They don’t want to face up to the evil of his act because it might mean their lifestyles are also less than good.
From serial womanizing, to drug and alcohol problems, Hollywood (and, perhaps, Washington) is filled with folks who are convinced that right and wrong are mere constructs. They want to believe that good and evil don’t actually exist. This allows them to live however they please, and act self-righteous toward anyone who might question their choices. Thus, to allow one of their own to be exposed as evil gives rise to the reality that their own lives are similarly fallen—that they aren’t the nice people, good citizens they pretend to be.
If nothing else, Roman Polanski teaches us that we are so depraved we’d rather run than face our wickedness. He reminds us how we each choose to hide, rationalize or ignore our own sin—much easier to act as the victim than to face consequences. He shows us just how important the Light of Christ is. Only that light can reveal my wickedness, convict my heart and cause repentance.
May the light of Christ shine upon Mr. Polanski, and each one of us, that we might turn to Christ and be healed.
Brandon Markette 