It would all end if we'd stop pretending. That's literally all it would take. Children would be spared, lives would be saved, sanity would be sustained, and our culture might survive. Just stop pretending. But despite such a simple remedy, I don't see it happening.
But given the fairly obvious reality that God has given this culture over to our lusts and sinful excess, I don't hold out much hope of it happening. We have, in the words of the great Apostle Paul, "exchanged the truth of God for a lie." We are "worshiping created things" – as in ourselves, our own minds, our own idols – rather than the Creator who is to forever be praised.
It's hard sometimes to fathom how anyone could struggle to see the prescience and wisdom of God's word when it so accurately identifies the cultural and ethical hazards we have fallen into, pinpointing with deadly precision the consequences that follow. But arrogance and pride are powerful forces. So strong, in fact, that they will lure us into propagating patent falsehoods just to sustain our foolish charade of moral independence from the God of the universe. Patent falsehoods like believing a man in lipstick and a skirt is actually a woman.
Kirk's assessment of Levine's language eerily echoes the prophetic words of 18th century English poet Alexander Pope. Apply these 200-year-old words of his to our current situation:
"Vice is a monster of so frightful mien, as to be hated needs but to be seen, yet seen too oft, familiar with her face, we first endure, then pity, then embrace."
Levine and his brethren would undoubtedly bristle at the use of the word vice – that is, depravity, evil, immorality – to describe the life they have chosen to live. But to those whose hearts and minds have not yet been darkened by the passive wrath of God unfolding on our forsaken culture, that truth is as obvious as it could possibly be:
If the word has any meaning, what that video reveals is the very essence of vice. And mercifully, if not perhaps futilely, some in positions of power are attempting to stop it.
I say "perhaps futilely" because at the same time states like Tennessee are pulling on the reins of insanity, others are full steam ahead.
Set aside the hilarious lack of self-awareness from a governor who can't keep human feces from adorning his own streets out criticizing the priorities of colleagues on the other side of the country. It's not just ungodly half-wits who are downplaying the seriousness of the issue. It's outspoken Christian voices like VeggieTales creator Phil Vischer:
Let me be clear in saying that I don't think salvation for our civilization comes through legislation. Politics is a pursuit of earthly power, and this is a spiritual battle that exceeds the boundaries of public policy. Our civilization will eventually go the way of every civilization of man. Salvation comes to the individual through the transformative power of the cross and the church's discipleship.
But the increasing prevalence of vice, and the speed at which it is encompassing the culture should signal to anyone paying attention that efforts to apply public policy air brakes to the runaway train that is American society is a longshot at best. Necessary and morally upright? Without question. Too little, too late? Almost certainly.
So what are the godly to do in such a moment? I'd first advise to steer clear of the moral leadership of those who, like Vischer, see moral depravity as an ancillary issue. Besides that, preach the gospel with all boldness and without hindrance, remain faithful in all circumstances no matter the temporal costs, pray for repentance and a miracle all while bracing for the divine humbling we have brought on ourselves.
