Tucked inside many Sunday newspapers is Parade magazine. A recent issue carried this brief:

Q: I’ve begun hearing certain words on my soap opera that I didn’t think were allowed on daytime TV. Has the FCC changed its regulations?

A: No. According to a spokesperson, “the FCC remains committed to fair and appropriate indecency enforcement consistent with the First Amendment.” However, enforcement of rules against indecency is measured by contemporary community standards, which may evolve over time. – June 27, 2010 – Parade, p.#2

It is both interesting and enlightening to see the words “standards” and “evolve” in the same sentence. But if you have wondering about what you’ve heard on TV, this may be the answer you expected but don’t like. The FCC doesn’t apply an absolute moral standard. They monitor society, and eventually approve of what society approves.

In 1996 Robert H. Bork in his book Slouching Towards Gomorrah wrote, “What we experience now is . . . an assault that aims at, and largely accomplishes, sweeping changes across the entire cultural landscape. Large chunks of the moral life of the United States, major features of its culture, have disappeared altogether, and more are in the process of extinction. These are being, or have already been, replaced by new modes of conduct, ways of thought, and standards of morality that are unwelcome to many of us.” Looks like Bork was right.

This is the battle front for people who believe God’s Word and are committed to obey Jesus Christ. Our challenge is to communicate to the world God’s absolute moral standard, yet to an audience that may be “slouching towards Gomorrah.” Our friends, neighbors and co-workers may be suspicious of any claim that God’s authority and truth deserves our response and that Jesus is the answer to our spiritual need. Most, like the FCC, are satisfied that morals and standards evolve and are moved along by the force and self-interests of the mainstream.

One way we should confront this is, to be prepared to defend the integrity of the Bible. To do this, first, you’ll need to read it yourself and become familiar with the history, the books, the people, the message and the promises of the Bible. Do you have that nailed down? Can we effectively help others discover something we have not yet discovered?

The Bible claims to be the Word of God and diligent readers will discover the internal evidence as they read and study. It is not sufficient, I think, to read books about the Bible instead of reading the Bible. Studies focused on “evidences” can help, but the help is enjoyed only by those who have read the book that is so rich in evidence of its’ own integrity.

“The story is told of an American explorer who visits a remote, Pacific island jungle village. Amazingly, he finds a man in the village who speaks English. Even more remarkable is that the man is carrying a Bible.

‘Oh, in America, we have outgrown that Bible,’ the explorer says, pointing to the Bible.’

‘Lucky for you, our tribe hasn’t outgrown the book,’ responds the native. Then he adds, ‘Otherwise we’d be enjoying you for dinner tonight’.” (Seven Things You Better Have Nailed Down, Robert Wolgemuth, p.#56).

We live in a nation where many believe they have “outgrown the Bible.” We cannot show them the way without discovering the book we want them to discover.

by Warren E. Berkley via Monday Messages July 5, 2010

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