When a culture spirals out of control, at some point it will begin to dawn on the remaining faithful Levites (who are waiting for Moses to come down off the mountain) that the point of no return has been passed by those caught up in the moment. These things can be stopped, but only in the same way that a free fall is stopped by something called “the rocky crags below.”
Sin has a certain internal logic to it, and that logic usually results in getting naked in public (Ex. 32:25). And lest we think that this phenomenon is an old covenant thing, the apostle Paul expressly tells Christians that the golden calf incident was recorded as a cautionary tale for us (1 Cor. 10:6). This means that we are warned away from lust and idolatry. The reason the idols are popular is that they always make room for the lust — and that lust was accompanied, according to Exodus 32, by music, dancing, singing, eating, drinking, playing, and public nudity. In other words, the camp of Israel turned into a Miley Cyrus concert.
What do I mean when I say that the point of no return has been passed? I mean that for all those caught up in the sin, all their internal gears have been stripped. There is no way for Hollywood to catch itself. There is no way for our entertainment gurus to walk back their commitment to same sex mirage. There is nothing to do when the damnation train becomes a runaway train — except to be grateful that you are not on it. That gratitude, incidentally, is not a stand-alone thing. There are duties that come with it, but Moses will make that clear.
So the problem will be addressed, but it will be convulsive and will leave a crater. It will come from outside the fogged logic of the partiers — who simply rose up to play. In Exodus 32, that external force was faithful Levites with swords. What will it be in our circumstance? We have no way of knowing, but it will certainly be sudden and unpleasant.
It seems to me that verse 9 is the most important verse. If things had gone the other way, God would have still kept his promise to Abraham through the offspring of Moses.
Waiting for the splat*
The most interesting aspect of this is that this abrupt end to the free fall will ultimately serve to grow the kingdom of God, just like it did the Israelites. It has a purging effect. It seems like this pattern has played itself out in history so many times.
Great point Robert, where would any of us be if God didn’t keep His promises, if instead, He behaved like us.
Before it happens, or while it happens, or after it happens, or some combination of these, Christians will be blamed for the deteriorating situation and/or the crater.
…And someone will have to write City of God: Book the Second.
“Philosophy is hard. Thinking clearly for an extended period is hard. It is easier to pour scorn on those who disagree with you than actually to address their arguments. […] And of all the kinds of scorn that can be poured on someone’s views, moral scorn is the safest and most pleasant (most pleasant to the one doing the pouring). It is the safest kind because, if you want to pour moral scorn on someone’s views, you can be sure that everyone who is predisposed to agree with you will believe that you have made an unanswerable point. And you can… Read more »
I, for one, am not ready to give up on America. Yes, the times are dark, and the enemy is on the move. I still believe, however, that America is “the last, best hope of mankind” and that, with God’s help, all of this can be turned around.
“If my people, who are called by my Name (born again believers); will 1. Humble themselves and 2. Pray and 3. Seek My face and 4. Turn from their wicked ways (still referring to born again believers) – THEN (and only then) will I hear from heaven and heal their land.” – God
Seems to me that God is still waiting for #1.
I have a problem with your reasoning here. You seem to frame the issue as an “us” vs. “them” situation. But in these new covenant times aren’t we to leave Gods wrath to him? The pagan Romans were just as open in their sin as your average American is. We’re not “waiting for Moses” and his “orders” we got Jesus and he already told us how to behave in these times. What’s more, Americans aren’t the Jews in rebellion. If anything, we are a nation of Gentiles who have lost our way. Forgive me for posting such disjointed thoughts. I’m… Read more »
Eradio — great job scorning!
Mathematicsis hard. Thinking clearly for an extended period is hard. It is easier to pour scorn on those who disagree with you than actually to address their arguments. […] And of all the kinds of scorn that can be poured on someone’s views, moral scorn is the safest and most pleasant (most pleasant to the one doing the pouring). It is the safest kind because, if you want to pour moral scorn on someone’s views, you can be sure that everyone who is predisposed to agree with you will believe that you have made an unanswerable point. And you can be… Read more »
Also, Psalm 1:1.
Speaking of sudden unpleasantness and leaving a big crater, I am reminded of John Bobbitt. Why is this? The recent Tanya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan debates reminded me of Weird Al’s song “Headline News”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyd0vjtiJug I realized the song follows James Jordan’s marker sins of historical periods: Tribe = Father/Son rivalry (Adam/God) Monarch = Brother/Brother rivalry (Cain/Abel) Empire = False Intermarriage (Sons of God/Daughters of Men) The pattern gets played over and over throughout the Bible. For examples see footnote 7 here: http://revbledsoe.wordpress.com/2009/07/13/sept-20-2008-the-gospel-of-john-and-friendship/ If Bledsoe is correct and we are now in the late Empire phase, then we can deduce from the… Read more »
Nick E raises an interesting concern about the “us” vs. “them” dichotomy. Worth thinking about for a bit. However, I’m not sure it applies as a critique of Wilson here. Wilson did write: “There is nothing to do when the damnation train becomes a runaway train — except to be grateful that you are not on it.” I think Wilson’s statement is important, and reassuring. It’s not that believers will always dodge the providential judgment of God when a culture reaps what it sows. Sometimes believers must suffer along with the wicked. However, in Christ, we know that we… Read more »
Matthew, if we all concede that you above all others are qualified to pour moral scorn (especially at Doug), will you stop pouring it?
If we all admit that none of us follow your arguments, will you stop making them?
What will it be in our circumstance? We have no way of knowing, but it will certainly be sudden and unpleasant. No, please, no more of this evasion. If you predict doom and gloom you don’t just get to say that it’s going to come in some form, in some time, in some manner, to some group of people. Or, at least, you shouldn’t if your goal is to not look like one of those fellows on the street corner bleating about the end times. An apocalyptic fascination is another part of the script, and you should get rid of… Read more »
@Eradio Diaz I am going to assume that your comment is directed at the current stars of this fallen land who scorn us Christians.Your comment could be taken either way–we Christians could (I certainly do) scorn modern culture and modern culture scorns me. I am going to take the charitable view that you are a Christian. Which takes us to @Mathew N. Peterson who has taken the “Christians scorn Moderns” interpretation of @Eradio’s post and pastes it–like a wad of chewing gum–on Pastor Wilson’s chair for him to sit on. Fortunately, some of us can chew gum,… Read more »
I, for one, really enjoy the comments made by those who constantly try to ‘outsmart’ Doug. If it weren’t for them, the comment sections would be really boring. If everyone were on the same page as Pastor Doug, there would be little value in making a comment. The other value of the contrarians is that they serve a very useful purpose in helping those of us who are not quite at the intellectual level of Doug hone our skills in Christian debate.
Matt (not Matthew) – If a family member of yours was stealing from his employer, spending it all on hookers and blow, driving drunk and tweaking meth in his garage, you’d be justified in saying, “Bob, something horrible is going to happen to you if you keep on like this.” You don’t need to specify, “You’re going to blow your house up.” or, “You’re going to drive under a logging truck while fleeing the cops.” Identifying the clear trend is all that is necessary and all that’s really possible. I also feel like I should mention female head coverings here.… Read more »
When I read posts by both Matthew N. Petersen and Eric-The-Red I remind myself that even Gollum, in the end, served a higher purpose in The Story.
And besides, I always love it when katecho comes out to play!!
@Jim-N-NC.
Mathew N. Peterson is a professing Christian–a brother in Christ–a pain in the butt brother in Christ, but a brother in Christ.
First, in light of recent events on this blog, let me state: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ There is no theory in the universe that cannot be stated in mathematical terms AND in field-specific jargon AND in layman’s terms AND in small two-syllable words. A lot of confusion has happened recently due to people failing to understand that the mathematical terminology or the field-specific jargon terminology are not actually the theory itself; they are merely two very exact and specific articulations of it. Anything that is true can be said at least, oh, seven different ways and still mean the same thing. And… Read more »
Timothy, I wouldn’t assume that Matthew is a brother in Christ; neither would I assume that he is not. Has he made a profession of faith on this blog? Even if he has, I wouldn’t make any conclusions about his status on the basis of a profession alone. Many will say in the last day, LORD LORD, and he will reject their profession and declare them to be workers of lawlessness. The wind blows where it will. We can’t see the wind (the spirit regenerating a man’s heart) only the evidence of it. If a person is acting like Gollum,… Read more »
Matt (not Matthew) – If a family member of yours was stealing from his employer, spending it all on hookers and blow, driving drunk and tweaking meth in his garage, you’d be justified in saying, “Bob, something horrible is going to happen to you if you keep on like this.” You don’t need to specify, “You’re going to blow your house up.” or, “You’re going to drive under a logging truck while fleeing the cops.” Except, you totally could get specific there. You could say “Bob, if you don’t stop stealing you will be caught and fired or worse.” or… Read more »
Speaking of bubbles about to pop, I wonder if Matt has looked at our economy lately. The financial system alone is on increased life support to the tune of over $5 trillion in the last five years. Who thinks that is sustainable? Who thinks we will resolve our national debt gradually? Who thinks our unfunded pension promises are sustainable (see Detroit as the first really large city to default)? We carry more debt per capita than Greece, but we still feel we are rated AAA+. In regard to the popping of the trust bubble, it isn’t a question of if,… Read more »
Something specific Matt? Economic judgement. Particularly the ever increasing theft of your income by the growing Leviathan known as the US gov’t in all of its smothering layers.
Matt, You remind me of a man who’s been told time after time that if he keeps cutting out the foundation of his house to use for firewood, he’s going to regret it. When the floor starts sagging in the family room, he straightens the crooked pictures on the wall and uses them to cover the newly formed cracks. “Nothing wrong here,” he says. A while later, when a wall crumbles, he worries for a moment, until he starts getting used to it and thinking that the fresh air is really an improvement. And when it gets too cold in… Read more »
Oops, I meant to delete the second paragraph because I decided the first paragraph was self-explanatory. I guess I didn’t get all of it.
Our standard of living is falling! Our standard of living is falling!
I guess I’m just a bit confused by the gist of what Pastor Wilson is saying here. There are two things I don’t understand. First of all, Jesus had all kinds of terrifying things to say about unrepentant sinners. His worst condemnation he saved for the pharisees, but he didn’t promise them some kind of worldly destruction. Correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t the bible promise that the unrighteous will prosper in their evil only to be ultimately overcome at the end of time? Meanwhile, on this side of paradise, he promises strife and suffering to the righteous rather… Read more »
I believe it has all been dealt with at the cross and it is called the Gospel. look at the Juxtaposition between Exodus 32:28 and Acts 2:41. The difference between Law and Grace. Thanks for your writing Doug. God Bless Now!
Nicholas E, in terms of your first point 1) the Bible does not promise unrepentant sinners some sort of worldly destruction but guarantees their ultimate destruction, I would respond by saying that this is true and an oversimplification. On an individual level, some people clearly die having experienced the fleeting pleasures of sin throughout their lives. However, even on the individual level, we can generally say that the way of the transgressor is hard. Doug is speaking at the societal level. At the societal level, God’s judgement comes upon a people as a result of their iniquity. Thus, when God… Read more »
Any advice for the faithful Levites working in the entertainment industry and living in Hollywood?
Ben, a certain quote given by Obi-Wan Kenobi to Luke Skywalker in reference to Mos Eisley spaceport seems appropriate :)
Bahahah! You know, I’ve actually used that quote out here more than once for things I’ve seen – but usually it’s with regard to the California DMV.
@ Pastor Wilson – I am curious, in light of the original post, what specific advice would you give to younger Christians attempting to work faithfully in entertainment / live in a place like L.A.?
@Reuben K wrote:
xkcd hasn’t……yet….. but I would not bet against him. (:
cheers.
Ben, I’m not very mystical, but when I lived in L.A., there was a tangible evil cloud that seemed to hang over the place. It was definitely a unique sensation… In short, I feel for you :)
Excellent post D.W.
Kind of describes my sense of St. Louis. Something about the place set my teeth on edge
From “The Week” magazine book review: “In Robert Hofler’s view [author of “Sexplosion”] it took only about six years for American pop culture to lurch from sexual prudery to anything goes, said Paul Teetor in LA Weekly. The veteran entertinment writer”doesn’t shy from taking sides” here: To him, the artistic rebels who in 1968 began breaking taboos in movies, television, and books pushed the country to a more mature view of life than Doris Day comedies ever allowed. According to his research, about half of those pioneers were gay.” – February 20, 2014 p.22
Melody.
Thank you for the data point.
What is interesting to me about “The Week” article is that it comes from a non-Christian perspective. The cultural demise is obviously not just some Christian rant.
But they don’t call it “cultural demise” do they? They look on it as a good while we look on in horror.
I have known Matt Peterson for years, and yes, he most definitely is a brother in Christ. I count him a friend, which is why I am encouraging him to treat a pastor with more respect and to make it extra clear, Matt, i am not saying you ought not debate Pastor Wilson at all “because he’s wiser.” I’m saying that because he is an older brother and a seasoned scholar, we ought not act like he is a college freshman who needs to be out in his place. Your arguments would be far more effective if you were more… Read more »
Luke, if he were applying for membership at our church, he would be a church discipline case, not a right hand of fellowship case. He seems to ignore 1 Tim 5:1 with impudence. God has given the church pastors and teachers to equip the saints for the work of ministry. Matthew seem to have little to no trouble in seeking to discredit this God-given gift to the church. Some of his comments directed towards Doug are simply mind-boggling. The Bible teaches that we should esteem our leaders very highly for the work they do, and not admit a charge against… Read more »
Luke: If you go back to the start, you can see that I did not treat Pr. Wilson disrespectfully, but my comments were rudely dismissed by Pr. Wilson, his friends acted like I was unreasonable for asking him if his metaphor was accurately, and a number of comenters
attacked me. If I was wrong to say the things Tim quotes, it was after repeated provocation, and in response to challenges to state my position clearly and sucinctly. And if it looks like I came in “correcting” Pr. Wilson, it is because I have been repeatedly misrepresented. I did not come in to correct him, nor did I treat him like a school kid. That said, on science matters, he is many years my junior
and many college freshmen are more knowledgable than he, at least when it comes to science. This isn’t a knock on him at all, but just a statement of fact–I don’t see how anyone could dispute that.
Matthew, it is simply unnecessary to state it.