Attacks from the "woke" culture

 A research fellow at Cambridge University recently came under attack by parishioners when he declared in a recent sermon at Trinity college that Jesus Christ had a trans body. Many in the congregation left in disgust shouting "Heresy" as they left. The dean of the college defended the speaker saying that the sermon "suggested that we might think about these images of Christ's male/female body as providing us with ways of thinking about issues around transgender questions today." The university responded that neither the school nor the researcher suggested that Jesus was transgender, but that the sermon addressed the image of Christ as depicted in art and was in keeping with open debate and dialogue at the school.

As I mentioned in a recent sermon, the theology and beliefs of conservative Christians have been under attack since early in Christian history. These attacks have come from both within and without the church. I am currently reading Historical Theology by Gregg Allison, a 777-page study on the history of theology highlighting the specific tenets of the faith as it was developed through various historical periods. The author does an excellent job of addressing the challenges to each of these theological fundamentals that arose throughout history and how the church addressed those challenges. The sermon mentioned above is one more attack from within the church on the person of Jesus Christ and an attempt to please the woke culture that now exists throughout the world.

It is critical that we not allow such attacks go unchallenged. Every Christian has an obligation to study the theological beliefs that have been at the foundation of Christianity since its beginning. Every pastor has an obligation to preach theologically sound sermons that will help their listeners not succumb to the culture that seeks to undermine our faith. Every Christian parent has an obligation to teach these truths to their children so when they go away to college or into the workplace they will not be swayed by the challenges to their faith they are sure to face.

It appears that today's church will go to any length to appeal to the woke culture that exists in the world today. We will sacrifice truth on the altar of acceptability by the masses. We will offer messages that will tickle the ears of our listeners so as not to lose any of them. Too many are more concerned about making the mortgage payment on their buildings that they are in proclaiming the truth of God's Word. Such ministers will stand one day before God and give an account of their ministry. At the same time many pastors are standing faithfully for the truths found in God's Word. We should pray for them and encourage them in their work.

Those called into ministry today need to be very careful about where they pursue their education lest they find themselves being taught contrary to biblical teaching. Those in churches seeking pastors need to be very careful about who they call. Just because a person has an MDiv or PhD after his or her name doesn't mean they hold to biblical theology. The woke generation will not go away and will seek to infiltrate every area of society so it is imperative that Christians hold fast to the theological foundations that have served us well.