Nearsighted shepherds

The Chic-fil-A kerfuffle exposed a lot a moral confusion in some Christian circles. For this reason I think it’s worth discussing. Not because that particular controversy is all-important, but because it illustrates a larger problem among some Christians who ought to know better. With that in mind, I’m going to comment on some statements in this post:

http://reformedforum.org/am-i-chicken-for-not-attending-chick-fil-a-appreciation-day/

Here I hope to offer a discerning third option.

How about both?

Support CFA for their stand AND love homosexuals and unbelievers (yes, including liberals!). After all, we do believe in both common grace and the antithesis. We believe that being a Christian in the world often means taking a stand for what is right, even if it means our marginalization. On the other hand, as Christians we believe that we should love our neighbors, and not marginalize them (even gays and liberals).

Supporting a Christian business owner is nice, but not necessary for the advancement of the Kingdom.

However, if you think the reaction against the stand of the COO of CFA is ridiculous and non-sense (as it surely is), then go. Go as a person with common sense. Go as an American who believes in freedom of speech. Go in good conscience simply because their waffle fries are pretty good. Go because you think the mayor of Chicago is a moron. Go as a Christian, if you are a Christian, and take a stand for biblical principle. But don’t think that this will advance the cause of Christ in the Gospel. Taking a stand for biblical principle is a must for a Christian, but it won’t save any souls. Yet, it may, in fact, advance the cause of common grace – and there is value to that.

There is a place for the Christian to fight the cultural war. But we need to always remember how and why we fight it. God has given us weapons to fight, as Christians. And its not long drive-in lines at fast food joints. Our weapons are spiritual, they are not carnal. Numbers are good and helpful in fighting the cultural wars, but they do not win the battle. Only the Gospel of God’s free grace in Christ can and will do that.

James J. Cassidy is the pastor of Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Ringoes, NJ. He also serves as Vice President of Reformed Forum and is a PhD candidate at Westminster Theological Seminary.

Several issues:

i) Before I go any further, I’m not contending that Christians had a moral or spiritual obligation to participate in Chick-fil-A appreciation day. That’s not the thesis I’m defending in this post.

ii) Why does Pastor Cassidy cast the issue in terms of what “advances the kingdom”? No doubt that sounds very pious, but let’s think about that for a moment. Should everything Christians do be with a view to advancing the kingdom? Does deodorant advance the kingdom? Does toothpaste advance the kingdom? Does bathroom tissue advance the kingdom? Does buying a gallon of milk advance the kingdom? Does playing catch in the backyard with your 10-year-old advance the kingdom? Does making love to your wife four times a week advance the kingdom? Does owning a tabby cat advance the kingdom? Does trimming your toenails advance the kingdom?

Surely devout Christians do many things that don’t directly advance the kingdom. Surely devout Christians do many things that may or may not indirectly advance the kingdom.

I notice that Pastor Cassidy wears a tie. Does that advance the kingdom?

Why do Christian leaders like Pastor Cassidy make glib statements that invite so many obvious counterexamples?

iii) Or take his statement that “Supporting a Christian business owner is nice, but not necessary for the advancement of the Kingdom.”

Well, pastoring an OPC church isn’t necessary for the advancement of the kingdom. If his OPC church in Jersey didn’t exist, the kingdom would manage to advance in its absence. Being a PhD candidate at WTS isn’t necessary for the advancement of the kingdom.

iv) Or take his statement that “as Christians we believe that we should love our neighbors, and not marginalize them (even gays and liberals).”

Yes, we should marginalize the political power of liberals and homosexuals. They have a harmful agenda. And part of neighbor love is protecting your neighbor from a harmful ideology. Why is Pastor Cassidy unable to draw that elementary connection?

v) Or take his statement that “God has given us weapons to fight, as Christians. And its not long drive-in lines at fast food joints.”

Why not? Why not view that as a God-given opportunity? Shouldn’t an OPC pastor have a greater appreciation of providence?

vi) Or take his statement that “Numbers are good and helpful in fighting the cultural wars, but they do not win the battle. Only the Gospel of God’s free grace in Christ can and will do that.”

Just preaching the Gospel won’t win the battle, either. Not everyone who hears the Gospel believes the Gospel. Only Christ will win the battle when he returns on Judgment Day.

vii) Likewise, defending Christian liberty does advance the kingdom. Let’s take two obvious examples:

a) It’s currently legal for Christian parents to homeschool their kids. That advances the kingdom. That promotes the cause of Christ. But if Christians didn’t fight for the right to educate their kids, liberals would take it away from them. That would represent a setback for the kingdom.

b) Likewise, it’s currently legal for Christian public school students to organize a Bible club on school premises. That advances the kingdom. That’s an opportunity to share the gospel with their peers. To save souls.

But they wouldn’t have that legal right unless Christians continue to defend it.

Why is Pastor Cassidy so shortsighted that he can’t see ten feet in front of him? There’s no excuse for Christian pastors to be so undiscerning. It's time to wise up.