Tolerable Religion

Good Luck With That

The case of the homosexual netball instructor has been fizzing amongst the chattering classes over the past three days. There has been lots of tut-tutting, head shaking, and eyeball-rolling.

But why? Is the parallel universe of Unbelief so obtuse that it can be taken by surprise at the actions of a Christian school, as if such things ought no longer to exist in our oh-so-modern world. Granted Unbelievers probably despise Christians and the Gospel. Granted, like Christopher Hitchens, they may find Christ's blood atonement deeply offensive. But such ire is normal and expected. Unbelievers at root despise and hate the Messiah of God.

But why would Unbelievers expect that a Christian school would not act consistently with its faith? Why would Unbelievers not rush to defend the religious liberty of the school to be faithful to its own beliefs? They do profess the doctrine of non-establishment of religion, and religious liberty, non? Unbelievers do defend the notion that New Zealand is a secular society in the sense of not establishing any one religion, but granting tolerance and freedom to all, right?

Look--the matter is simple. The Christ declares that all homosexuality is fornication--sexual uncleanness. It is grouped along with all other forms of fornication and it therefore violates the seventh commandment. One would reasonably expect that Christians would uphold that doctrine as part of their believing fidelity to Messiah. You would also expect them to apply this teaching to their lives, both individual, familial and corporate. Thus, when a school is operating as a Christian school--that is, a school which is based upon, and operates according to, the teachings and commands of the Christ--it is entirely reasonable and right that such a school would apply His teaching regarding homosexuality as fornication. Why tut tut about it?  Since all teachers and instructors are role models--and intended deliberately to be such in a Christian school--it is unremarkable and normal and expected that an employee who comes to espouse and represent a lifestyle of fornication would be dismissed, and thereby directed to seek employment elsewhere, presumably in a secular state school.

This is what freedom of religion is all about--is it not?

Well, maybe not. Middleton Grange is an integrated Christian school. That means it operates as a state school under a special charter of integration. Unless its charter specifically identifies that its teachers and employees must live faithful Christian lives as appropriate role-models of Christian discipleship and that failure to do so will constitute disqualification to serve as an employee in the school, it will have placed itself in a very weak position. There is a fundamental contradiction between being a Christian school, on the one hand, and a state secular school, on the other. When you cede ultimate control of your school to the secular, pagan State, and accept its money as a quid pro quo, you may well end up being told just exactly what sort of religion is tolerable and acceptable. In other words, you have accepted an overlord, whose claims and pretensions of power are asserted to be greater than Messiah.

But that does still not explain the outrage and surprise of the chattering classes and the media, unless they are so arrogant they think they have the authority to determine what the Christian faith ought to be. In which case, we remind them that a day is coming where they will indeed have the opportunity to make their case before Him Who is King of all kings, and Lord of all lords, and Judge of all the earth. Good luck with that.