I love soccer. And this Summer has been a great time to enjoy the “beautiful game.” With the US Women’s team winning the World Cup (and the men’s team placing second in the CONCACAF Gold Cup) there has been a lot to watch.
But, in the Western world, sports are no longer just sports. Inevitably, cultural and religious issues get mixed in and soon take center stage.
Enter Megan Rapinoe. The openly gay US captain has been making the rounds on talk shows and news programs. She’s even been hailed as an “American hero.”
But, not just because of her soccer skills. But because of how she promotes LGBTQ issues and calls for more “tolerance” and “acceptance.”
In particular, she complained to the present administration: “I would say that your message is excluding people. You’re excluding me, you’re excluding people that look like me.”
Of course, the irony of such statements hasn’t been missed. Especially if one considers the story of a different female soccer player, Jaelene Hinkle. Hinkle is widely regarded as one of the best defenders in the nation.
But, despite her widely-praised talent, she was cut from the US national team. Why? Because the players were required (just think about that word!) to wear rainbow jerseys to support “gay pride.” And Hinkle, a committed Christian, wouldn’t do it.
Team officials say she was cut purely for soccer reasons. But with Megan Rapinoe on the team, it is understandable why people are skeptical of that explanation. See full story here.
A recent tweet by US national team back-up goalkeeper, Ashlyn Harris, actually shows that people’s skepticism is justified:
Amazing. It’s stunning to see someone talk about inclusion and then in the next breath say “you don’t belong.” Apparently, “tolerance” is only given to those people who already agree. Which, of course, isn’t really tolerance at all.
This whole scenario reminds me of what the earliest Christians faced in the second century. They had their critics then, too.
One of the most ardent critics was the pagan thinker Celsus. As James O’Donnell has observed, Celsus “just can’t stand Christians” (Pagans, 101).
So, what did Christians do that caused such irritation in Celsus? In short, Celsus thought Christians were bad citizens. Job number one for any Roman citizen was to participate in the public, corporate worship of the Roman gods.
And it was precisely this that Christians refused to do. After all, they were monotheists. They worshiped Jesus and him alone.
Why was worshiping the Roman gods so important? Because it was the gods who gave victory in war, rain for crops, and prosperity to the state. To neglect the gods was to put the welfare of Rome at risk.
Thus, Christians were viewed as insubordinate to the state.
But, Celsus’ complaint is not just political. It is also social. The refusal to worship the gods was seen as anti-social and downright rude. Instead of joining with their fellow Romans, Christians slinked off to their private, secret meetings where they did who knows what.
Such behavior was suspicious. In the mind of Celsus, it showed that Christians were an “obscure and secret society” (8.49) that threatened the stability of the Empire. Christians “suffer from the disease of sedition” (8.49).
As a result, the insults towards Christians rolled easily off of Celsus’ tongue. Christians were like ants or bats swarming out of their nests; like worms crawling out of a hole; like frogs croaking in a marsh (4.23). Christians were a menace.
What then should be done with these Christians? Celsus’ answer is chilling:
If they refuse to render due service to the gods. . . let them not come to manhood, or marry wives, or have children, or indeed take any share in the affairs of life; but let them depart hence with all speed, and leave no posterity behind them, that such a race may become extinct from the face of the earth (8.55)
Translation: get rid of them. Or, at a minimum, don’t let them participate in the normal parts of society.
In many ways, little has changed for two-thousands years. In our modern cultural climate, Christians are still seen as a threat to the stability of society because they won’t publicly and corporately bow down to the cultural gods.
And make no mistake, the culture always demands that Christians do this publicly. Everyone has to conform. Or else.
It is ironic, really. In a culture that so claims to value “tolerance,” Christians who refuse to publicly affirm the cultural gods are given none.
But, the lesson from the early church is clear. We will not be accepted as citizens of this earthly Kingdom. But, that is a reason to be even more thankful that Jesus said, “My Kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36
).
Shane Angland says
Minor point: I believe the secret society quote is from 8.17 not 8.49. I just don’t want Celsus accusing you of inexactitude (you know how he gets).
Cheryl Zach says
Well said. I like the juxtaposition of the two soccer players. It made me really appreciate the stand that Jaelene Hinkle took. It is a good example to all of us. It is a time when we must have both wisdom and courage to represent the Lord to a decaying culture
Rosemary Patterson says
This is a great article – very well articulated and encouraging too.
Alex says
Christians eventually were accepted by the kingdoms of the world when they inherited them after the collapse of Greco-Roman paganism.
Celsus seems like he was a conservative of his day in that he wanted to preserve Greco-Roman culture. History utlimately vindicated his concerns when Christianity unexpectedly toppled the pagan way of life in the know world. I wonder if a similar transition is now taking place in Western Europe between Islam and secular humanism.
Charlie says
Thank you for such a well articulated perspective.
My concern as well is that actions such as those taken by Ms. Hinkle are increasingly seen not simply as an act of conscious, but as discriminatory and hostile thereby creating an “unsafe” environment for gays and lesbians and so requiring protection for them. Consider recent cases involving Chick-fil-A being banned from the San Antonio, TX airport, or David Roark being disinvited from the Circles Conference in Richardson, TX. Very troubling trends indeed for the cause of freedom and true tolerance.
Rachelle says
Get with the program fake Christians you want people to accept you but want everyone to live like you ! We are a democracy not a theocracy
Dean says
A democracy with Colosseum in tow in which rainbow ideology/mythology dictates to citizens what they can and cant embrace is far away from real tolerance and inclusion and closer to fake tolerance and fake inclusion.
Charlie says
Not sure what in my comment elicited such a response from you. I am not for a theocracy and I am a firm believer in the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause prohibiting the government from establishing a religion while at the same time protecting the free exercise of religion.
The only point in my comment is that those who so stridently tout tolerance, in this case certain members of the US Women’s Soccer Team, are often the very one’s who practice exclusion and intolerance. In addition, there is a growing attempt on the part of the LGBTQ community to portray the practice of certain Christian convictions in legal terms implying a violation of the law, no doubt hoping to invite legal action. If such a misguided effort is ever successful then we will have sadly opened the door to tyranny. Peace.
RIchard Smith says
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/uswnts-ashlyn-harris-calls-former-teammate-jaelene-hinkle-homophobic-after-old-interview-resurfaces.
I agree. According to Ashlyn Harris, if you do embrace my position and my lifestyle and conform to it then you are intolerant. The team that represents an entire nation can only be united if they march to her drumbeats.
Richard Smith says
Correction – “if you do not embrace”
D.A.N says
Is not the blood of Jesus enough for one to be saved? Why would christians make such a big issue from this event?
The OT got abrogated by the blood of the lamb. Therefore, I cannot see the problem exactly with someone being gay?
ChrisB says
Try it this way: The OT got abrogated by the blood of the lamb. Therefore, I cannot see the problem exactly with someone being an adulterer.
Doesn’t work, does it? Moral standards didn’t disappear because Jesus died on the cross.
Loren J Golden says
When individuals, such as yourself, suggest that the Old Testament was abrogated, the implication is invariably one-sided: Men and women are no longer bound by the terms of its covenants.
But what about God? If we are no longer bound by the terms of the Old Testament covenants, why should God still be bound?
In Genesis 9.11-17, the Lord said to Noah, “I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth. This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all generations: I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth. This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.”
If the Old Testament is abrogated by the shed blood of the crucified Savior, as you say, why should this covenant be excepted? Why should God be bound by the terms of the Old Testament covenants, if we are not?
Prior to the Flood, “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) This did not change because of the Flood (Gen. 8.21), nor did it change because of Christ’s self-sacrifice on the Cross (Rom. 3.9-18). “And the LORD was sorry that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. So the LORD said, ‘I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.’” (Gen. 6.6-7)
So, what is to keep Him from destroying the world again in a global flood, if the Old Testament is abrogated?
Jason says
As someone, who is gay/SSA, is a Christian, and affirms the historic, orthodox Christian sex ethic, I’m sure I would be counted among the group with Hinkle. As someone who is generally conservative on all fronts, the “tolerance” promoted by these is illusory. They remind me of what Hank Hannegraff once said about the Boston Church of Christ movement, and I paraphrase, if you are not baptized according to their formula, confessing their creed, then you are among the damned.
As someone who is as I’ve described myself, these bigots, and that is exactly what they are, reserve the harshest words for Christians such as myself, who choose the narrow, difficult way.
Ever since I came fully to terms with the fact that my SSA is not going to fully disappear, this side of glory, I’ve also come to terms with the fact that we are in a Post-Christian, Neo-Paganistic society. And any denomination, which has chosen to affirm the pagan sex ethic born anew, is promoting a false gospel and a false religion.
That’s not to say that the more orthodox congregations don’t have issues, when they set unrealistic standards for Christians dealing with SSA and gender confusion, while ignoring “lesser sins and issues” that plague a broader swath of the church. But, they do not reject the gospel for the soupy porridge offered by Caesar and the Babylonian whore.
Sam says
Very well articulated, brother. Thank you for your input. A much needed voice in the church today.
Charlie says
Jason,
You are one of the unsung and ignored saints in this whole debate. To take who we are in all of our brokenness and then submit that to Christ out of devotion to and worship of him is the highest of virtues. Bless you brother. Press on in Him!
James says
Grace and peace, brother. I teared up reading your post because Christians like you are an example to the rest of the church of dying to self and bearing your cross. I pray you’re local fellowship strengthens and affirms you in your desire to live in holiness.
Pablo says
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,
10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. – 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
chris hutchinson says
This is a very good article, and the comparison to Celsus is spot on. It’s about power, and Christians are indifferent, at best, about reinforcing pagans’ world view that power in this life is all that matters; and so we often don’t play along and that can infuriate them. We belong to a different Kingdom and do not worship their gods. That said, in our day, those gods which demand loyalty sometimes appear on the “right,” and not just the “left” side of our culture. We need to remain aloof from both, and at times, rebuke these gods by name, remaining unstained by the world, whatever form that worldliness takes. Thank you for this great analysis, Dr. Kruger.
Sam Provance says
Thank you for sharing this practical and informative article.
Ali Leffel says
Amen!!
Colin says
1 Jn 3:13 “Do not marvel, my brothers, if the world hates you.”
Why do we?
Pablo says
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,
10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. – 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Zach says
I understand your point about Hinkle but it seems a bit of a reach to compare it to what awaited believers of Ancient Rome.
But really??.. it’s a rainbow colored jersey. Does it mean she supports/affirms all things LGBTQ/Gay marriage and hates intolerant Christians? Absolutely not. Julie Ertz, along with other believers on the team had no issue with the rainbow jersey. Does that make them sell outs? Absolutely not. Perhaps their means of following Christ grants them freedom to don a rainbow jersey in the hope that they could deepen trust and open doors for the gospel to spread on their team.
In the age of Trump all believers should be keen to not seek out/glorify “persecution” and spotlight where it might actually be of benefit to themselves, not the cause of Christ. rather might we build bridges to the neighbors around us who are just as broken as we are and desperately waiting for genuine love, truth and
(btw I deeply affirm Rapinoes criticism of our president and highlighting her criticism of him doesn’t strengthen your article, even though it’s a bit contradictory because Trump seems to affirm LGBT things),
Nemo says
Zach wrote,
might we build bridges to the neighbors around us who are just as broken as we are and desperately waiting for genuine love, truth
I agree with this statement. However, your comment seems to suggest that those Christians who refuse to don a rainbow jersey are glory-seeking and self-serving, whereas those who don the jersey are perhaps following Christ. Is it not possible that both are following Christ in the spirit of truth and love? If you give the latter the benefit of the doubt, why not give it to both?
Free exercise of religion, as I understand it, means that each individual has the freedom and duty to serve the Creator according to his/her conscience. Even if the majority in society acts and believes one way, in matters of religion, it doesn’t negate an individuals’s freedom to act in the exact opposite way according to conscience. His/her religious freedom is (or should be) protected by law. This would be true tolerance.
Dr. Kruger makes a valid point about lack of tolerance towards traditional Christian worldview in the current culture.
Zach says
Yes, I’m not questioning her (Hinkle) individual choice. Really hope it was purity of conscience thing for her and laud her for that if so. She is free to follow Christ in this way. At the same time, she has gotten a lot of attention and praise about it from the evangelical community as a hero/martyr. My main point is that the other believers on the team are heroes too, maybe even more effective heroes for the flow of the Gospel (dunno).
I agree that the tolerance thing is a joke in our culture but simply trying to argue that we should be thoughtful about the “losses” socially and culturally believers can shrewdly surrender so that the Gospel would be flow freely and not be slowed by extremely complicated, often political issues. In spite of having the cultural power and influence that the white evangelical movement has had in the US and continues to have (see Trump election), its clear evangelical leaders are quicker to point out the visible ‘martyrs of intolerance’ when I simply think it’s much more nuanced and complicated than that. These articles have the feel of seeking cultural power/influence as opposed to championing the gospel going forth in its discreet and mysterious ways.
Nemo says
Zach,
I agree that there are times for Christians to suffer loss and yield willingly so that the Gospel might not be hindered, but there are also times to stand up and speak against injustice, because injustice does harm to all, both Christians and non-Christians. To tackle complicated political issues, which is necessary for every voting citizen, it would be far better to carry on candid and civil dialogue than either keeping silence or engaging in shouting matches.
What matters is not who has power, but how power is exercised. I don’t know of any incident in America where evangelical Christians in power boycotted private businesses or fired people from their non-religion-related jobs because of their religious beliefs. When I read in mainstream media that this is now happening to Christians, I cannot help but wonder whether we’re living in an age of tyranny.
Nemo