I had the opportunity to watch the debate between Bill Nye and Ken Hamm. Doubtless, the debate between secular evolution and biblical creationism is a heated one. But the final verdict is that both sides end sounding arrogant, close-minded, and bigoted. I can’t imagine what the goal might have been in staging the debate. It is clear that no one was likely swayed by either presentation to embrace the opposite viewpoint. More often than not, the religious view ends up looking like foolish fairy tale drivel.

In a former leadership role, I was invited to a meeting to discuss a particular student with district officials from the public school. Included in the meeting were the social worker, the district psychologist, the director of guidance, myself, and the elementary principal of the small Wesleyan school where the student attended. As everyone gathered, introductions were made and everyone sat in a circle around a table ready to tackle the issues at hand. The principal from the Christian school interrupted and said, “Can we open in prayer?” It was clear from the awkward silence that we were a mixed crowd in the area of religion. Yet, everyone consented to some degree, either with a nod, a shrug, or the ghost of a smile. So, she began. I don’t really remember the details of the prayer. However, when she ended, I distinctly remember her looking at each of us with a smile while everyone waited in silence, uncertain as to what to do next. Finally, the district psychologist broke in, “Well…. Let’s get started!” And with that, we moved on.

There is an old adage that says, “Never discus religion or politics.” This is really sage advice; yet, so few follow it. Not long ago, Phil Roberson of Duck Dynasty fame, found himself in the center of a flap regarding some statements he made as a response to an interviewers questions. Phil Robertson, a man of faith, spoke openly and frankly about his religious beliefs, which he defends are biblical. The media frenzy surrounding the incident was mostly negative, while the public response appeared to be widely supportive.

When it comes to Christianity, there is one thing of which we can be certain: everyone in the ENTIRE WORLD knows exactly what Christians think is wrong. The WORLD knows that Christians are against abortions, against divorce, against homosexuality, against alcoholism, against drug abuse, against premarital sex, and the list goes on. So, why would anyone take issue with the statements of an openly-Christian Phil Robertson?

We have witnessed now, almost invariably, after the Chick-Fil-A incident, and the Boy Scout incident, liberals get all up in arms about “judging, lest ye be judged.” Like Satan using the Holy Scripture to temp Yeshuah in the dessert, the godless and unrighteous tout our very own Bible to “put us in our place!” And yet, the scripture is clear that we are to NEVER hold the pagans to the same standard to which we hold one another. So, the bigger question is why do we Christians continue to present their doctrinal beliefs about morality to a pagan and unbelieving generation?

A critical understanding about religious devotion, beliefs, rites and expressions, is that these are not to be shared with pagans. God did not give His law on Mt. Sinai with the command to share it with the world. His Law that He gave on Mt. Sinai were the terms of a covenant.

Deuteronomy 19:5-6

“‘Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”

It is a clear model of conversion that one is delivered from spiritual bondage and then begins to grow through a steady diet of God’s Word.  Modern day Christians tend to think of this process in reverse: Teach unbelievers everything we believe and then they will desperately want to enter an eternal covenant with God. The Holy Scripture is for those who have entered into covenant with God. It is not for the unbelieving and the pagan! It is the same process by which we have modeled our existence:

• Enroll in college, study to earn a degree
• Join the team, practice and learn the plays
• Enlist in the military, then learn the secrets and culture that is the military life
• Take the RED PILL, “you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes”

In Matthew 7, Yeshuah is ending his discourse on not judging one another, “lest we be judged.” He concludes with ““Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. (v. 6) When we give to pagans what is intended for God-fearers, we are giving what is Holy to dogs. The fact is, they will not only trample the Holy Scripture under their feet, but they will turn, in force and with the support of liberal media, and tear you to pieces as well!

What God has given us in His Word are His instructions, His Torah, to understand His character and His revelation to His people, namely, Israel. Through adoption this benefit has been granted to the nations. It is a sacred trust that has been trampled underfoot. Ironically, we do not see Catholics, and Jews, and Muslims defending their doctrinal positions, or quoting the scriptures in public forums. Maybe Christians can take a cue from them.