We’ve all heard of the Critical Race Theory that says all of the problems with the world are the result of endemic racist laws, societal inequalities, and underlying biases. Other versions of Critical Theory say that the rich victimize the poor, that colonizers were oppressing the noble savages, and that climate change is caused by the rich and powerful. Various LGBTQ communities would say that those in power (doctors, parents, clergy, etc.) are forcing their values and morals on people and are the source of all of their troubles. We could go into ageism, ableism, and capitalism to discuss others.
We just left October which was dubbed, “Domestic Violence
Awareness Month” in which victims hijacked what could be a legitimate time of
real help and transformation by saying that “Domestic Abuse” could be as trite
as making someone feel bad, or trying to set boundaries, or especially upholding
biblical values or believing the Bible. The victim mentality said, “I’m
oppressed!” And then they lowered the definition until they could vindicate their "abuse" or "oppression."
It all has at its heart Marxism, that all of human history
is driven by the struggle between the oppressed and the oppressor. We would
think that the church, with ample access to the Bible, would be immune from the
idea that all of my problems are someone else’s fault. But alas, we’d be wrong.
Some churches have swallowed the Critical Theories without any baiting, but
others have swallowed them hook, line, and sinker without even realizing that
they’ve been caught in a snare of the devil.
The most effective enticement the enemy uses in catching
somewhat mature Christians is the new idea of “Church Hurt” and “Spiritual
Abuse”. They try to find places in the Bible where these terms might fit. The apostatizing
ACBC recently posted an interview where the interviewee readily admitted, “I
see so many manipulative people I had to go find it in the Bible.” That’s not
how Christians are supposed to read their Bibles or make disciples! You don’t find a
problem in the world and then go try to force the world’s language into the
Bible. We call that “Eisegesis” or finding your agenda in the text. For a quick
lesson in how easy eisegesis is, notice that Psalm 14:1 clearly
says, “There is no God!” Then look in John 3:17 where John confessed and did not deny, “God
has not sent his Son into the world...” And especially in Acts 15:5 where the
Bible undeniably says that for Gentiles to be saved, “It is necessary to
circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”
Of those three verses of course that’s not what the Bible means despite saying those words verbatim. Neither is there any such thing as “Church Hurt” or “Spiritual Abuse” found in its pages. Sinful people who tear the flock? Yes. But sheep that sit around all day whining about it? No. Spiritual Abuse and Church Hurt are only Critical Theories that say that someone in the church has been oppressing poor little defenseless innocent me.
It has been accurately said, “When you make someone a
victim, you cut them off from the gospel.” Of the cross the Psalmist said, “When
the humble see it, they will be glad; you who seek God, let your hearts revive”
(Psalm 69:32). How could anyone watch the Saviour die and be glad? It's by not being a victim in the story!
Charles Spurgeon recognized the only way you could be glad
that Jesus died is if you realized he went willingly to pay for your sins! “You
need not weep over the crucifixion, but weep over your transgression, for your
sins nailed the Redeemer to the accursed tree. To weep over a dying Saviour is
to lament the remedy; it were wiser to bewail the disease.”
In no sense is the Christian a victim in the story of
Christianity. At the first we were perpetrators, sinners, destroyers, mockers! But
then, by God’s grace, we became hyper-victors, more than conquerors (Romans
8:37), as we partook in his lifesaving work (Hebrews 13:13–14).
Find these Marxists running from church to church because
someone offended them, because some pastor insulted them five years ago, because the wrong Bible is used or non-essential doctrine is preached, or because they did not get their way, and you’ll find someone who does not know
the weight of their sin or the joy of sharing in Christ's suffering. Their hope is in punishment
and accountability and oversight and reparations and a broken and paralyzed
government system. Their hope is everywhere but Christ. No wonder they have no
joy or assurance of salvation and why their love has grown cold and their
message is one of tearing down, not of building up.
Children of God are heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs
with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified
with him (Romans 8:17). Christ calls you to suffering, it’s not an accident, it’s
part of his plan. He intends to wound you so that he can heal you (Job 5:18).
He’s not an abuser, he’s a master craftsman and impeccable surgeon (Hosea 6:1).
He lets bad things happen to Christians constantly to grow them into the people
he wants them to be. He lets bad things happen to non-Christians so they won’t
think the world is in great shape. And he lets bad things happen to false
converts so they will be evident to everyone through their response that they
never knew him.
Do you think victims will forgive? Of course not, because
that would be giving power to their oppressors. Marxism and Critical Theory
does not allow that. This is one reason why Jesus gave us forgiveness as a test
of salvation (Matthew 6:14–15). Those who won’t forgive won’t be saved, not
because forgiveness earns them salvation, but because it shows that their
hearts are far from him who so freely gives of his grace and forgiveness and
mercy. A victim has no part nor lot in the kingdom of Christ, they are trapped
in bitterness and iniquity (Acts 8:21–23).
What is the antidote to this woke church theory that is
consuming so many and ushering in the end of times? It’s to seek justice, love
mercy, and walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8). Give all vengeance to God, he
will repay. Be quick and overabundant to show honor to those who hurt you. Be
wronged for his sake, as that at the appointed time he will exalt you.
While I am not a John Stott fan in the least, I do
wholeheartedly agree with him when he said, “Before we can begin to see the
cross as something done for us, we have to see it as something done by us.” David Brainerd said it a little more forcefully, "What God designs by all my distresses I know not; but this I know, I deserve them all and thousands more." Weigh the weight of your sin against God in comparison to the weight of the sin
that has been sinned against you, and realize that your pain really isn’t that
severe (2 Corinthians 2:5). Realize that you’re a villain in this story, a
sinner to be saved, not a victim to be vindicated.
Truly, if you’re a victim, you’re cut off from the gospel.
Let me say it plainly: If you’re a victim, you’re cut off
from Christ and all of his promises of blessing, be sure of that.
If your sin nailed him to the cross, then you know that
because he has forgiven you, you must forgive; you must willingly become a
servant of all, including your “abuser” who did so much less to you than you
did to Christ. Go and love his church, go and love the lost, go and show his love for you that while you were yet a sinner, Christ died for you (Romans 5:6–8).
You can be offended or you can serve Christ. You cannot do both.
