I remember as a brand new Christian reading Isaiah. Not having my chronological bearings I just assumed that chapter 53 was looking back to the death of Christ. I was floored upon hearing that it was written centuries before the incarnation. As I read more Old Testament passages that dealt with future events I was increasingly impressed with how precise God speaks to future events.
But the Bible also speaks to current events with surprising clarity. The principles and commentary in the Scriptures provide a framework for understanding the world around us. And on occasion it does so with startling particularity.
Biblical Framework
Let’s take the commentary of Romans 1. Here we learn that humanity is engaged in a united effort to suppress the revealed truth of God (vv.18-21). This suppression of the truth has everything to do with the honor and glory of God (vv. 23, 25). When God is not worshipped it is because his worthiness has been weighed on the scales of human interest and found wanting. The appraisal of God is that he is not valuable. Therefore, we as people take his glory, honor, and worship and give it to created things (v.25).
The way this suppression of truth gets accomplished is through an active rejection of God’s Word. Like a kid in a pool trying to hold a beachball under the water the unbelieving mind actively works to keep the revealed truth of God underwater. In order to do this we have to get creative and cheer each other on a bit.
Cultural Connection
Now here is the cultural connection that raises eyebrows and shreds our hearts. Think back to the occasion of the flood in Genesis. God appraised his creation and found that it was wicked: “The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Gen. 6:5). As a result of the rampant rebellion God judges the world through a cataclysmic, worldwide flood. We recall that after the flood waters abated, Noah and his family disembark from the ark. God speaks and outlines what he wants for his creation living in a world that is cursed by sin. Many theologians refer to this as the Noahic Covenant. In terms of a covenant it is a common grace covenant outlining what God requires from the world. That said, it is not specific to believers but includes all people living in the world.
Some of the specifics of Genesis 9 include instructions on the need to prioritize children, eating meat, ethical treatment of animals, capital punishment, and a promise to never again destroy the earth by a flood. The whole covenant is punctuated by a sign of God’s faithfulness and love. He chooses a rainbow to be the flag and symbol of his covenant.
Modern-Day Parody
Now think about this, each and every aspect of what I have mentioned here is flipped on its head. It is like the leaders in this rampant rebellion got together and tried to make a joke. As a society we have created a parody of what God has revealed as his design. At each turn the truth is suppressed and glory is stolen.
To just touch on a couple of these (we could talk in detail of each listed above), consider briefly the following:
Children are increasingly viewed as a burden rather than a blessing. Family size is shrinking and the cultural narrative is far less enthusiastic about them. Further, abortion rights are championed with unabashed zeal. In the United States we not only mock larger families, but we celebrate the right to murder babies.
The symbol of the covenant is a rainbow. Today rainbows are ubiquitous. But it is not for reasons anchored in Genesis 9. The rainbow has become the symbol of the LGBTQ rights movement. Instead of a symbol of the love and faithfulness of God to suspend judgment, the rainbow is a symbol of sexual sin that mocks God’s Word and dismisses any prospect of judgment.
The parody is alarming but it nothing new. Romans 1 has been playing out since Genesis 3. This type of clarity and consistency gets our attention. But as it does it also reminds us of another thing: God’s Word proves true again. He is faithful. Just as the truth that God will not destroy the earthy by flood stands true so does his promise that all who turn to Christ in faith will be forgiven. God forgives the rebellion when its foot soldiers lay down their arms, denounce their allegiance, and pledge their faithfulness to the King. If any will turn from sin and trust in Christ they can be forgiven. This promise cuts through the fog with hope for a new day. It provokes us to lovingly and faithfully speak to our neighbors about this great God and his faithful Word.
