Category: Life Issues

It seems clear that the Church is moving in a direction of no return. As a result, we will need institutional consensus on how to move forward culturally, sacramental consensus on how to move forward ecclesiastically, and a domestic consensus on how to move forward in the home.

In all these spheres, I am arguing for a consensus of principle, not methodology. This means we will need to overlook certain practices to pursue a greater, unified agenda.

Culturally, we will need to embrace institutions that are decrying leftist policies without exception. While this may entail remaining in certain institutions temporarily, it also means that we begin to create new institutions that protect the principles of mere Christendom.

New business models will emerge as a result of fruitful discourse. Such models will carry the imprimatur of Christ, though they may at times contain non-Christians. But every non-Christian must work under the ethic of Christendom. This will necessarily create expected tension.

Churches must also participate in this cultural renewal, but she is primarily a blueprint expositor and a cultivator of virtue. She lays the groundwork for institutional transformation by calling laborers to Word and Sacrament.

Congregations form the center of kingdom work as a headquarter for spiritual grace, strengthening communities, fostering discipleship, enhancing our rituals of hospitality and love, and providing a biblical grammar in pulpit and song. Thus, a genuine ecclesiastical conservatism affirms that the Church is central to the purposes of God in the kingdom and that from her flows the wisdom of God to the world (Eph. 3:10).

She must, however, see that she does not divide foolishly. She must find a consensus that allows her to work with other bodies in advancing the cause of orthodoxy. And she must not remain together for the Gospel foolishly. She must know when to forsake the sinking ship.

Sacramental differences may keep bodies from worshiping together in the same building or religious affiliation, but it should not keep us from holding the shovel in one hand and the sword in the other in the same house project.

Domestic consensus must occur at all levels. We must understand fundamental roles in the home not merely as an orderly pursuit but as how society is rebuilt. When roles are reversed, there is a cosmic shift in the oikos.

Masculine leadership must look one way, and feminine beautification must look another. Assumptions about parents and children must return to Deuteronomy 6 and Ephesians 5-6 as roots for a proper new domesticity.

While we should expect sphere confusion at times, we should work with these assumptions. We must not waste this opportunity in our historical landscape. The fields are ready to be harvested.

One of the fundamental reasons voting is an important element of a free society is that it allows us to have a pulse on culture. It gives us a sense of where society is headed and allows us to offer cohesive strategies moving forward. It also unites human beings under particular ethical trajectories.

When the election unfolded in 2020, I argued consistently that politics has consequences and consequences arise with politics. While we argued against Trump’s bad character, evangelicals of all stripes voted for what they believed would be a step toward the good ol’ days of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, who had a multitude of faults but was humble enough to apologize for the Bay of Pigs. That kind of eccentric common grace is over.

The intent of many to side with a party that virtually sought the approval of atheism on its platform and who unanimously voted just a few hours ago to codify the legal murder of the unborn throughout the entirety of the pregnancy was blemished. I trust moving forward many will reflect deeply on how important it is to give up décor in public, for sane policies shaped by savvy incrementalism. I still find Trump’s strategy to fill the 100 court vacancies he inherited with young, smart, talented, and committed conservatives one of the smartest moves from a politician in my lifetime. For all his faults, the man saw the need and began thinking about the future right away without any hesitation.

But many evangelicals wish for something more sanitized. But they will not find this in the Gospels. A quick glance through the Gospel of Mark will offer the distinct impression that Jesus does not give a shekel of care for niceties and kosher dinner parties. When John was beheaded for confronting Herod, Jesus came right behind him and said, “Let me give you an opportunity to do the same to me.” Our Lord kept poking at the novel ways the political leaders sought to infatuate themselves to the heirs of Abraham. He kept cursing at them with holy sarcasm and serrated edges.

It bears repeating that the abortion element comes to the forefront of these discussions because life takes form from the moment of conception. To remain neutral or to vote against the cause is to give in to the gods of tranquility. In Numbers 32, Reuben and Gad requested some peace and quiet in the farmlands of Jazer and Gilead. The problem was not the request, the problem was that Israel was united and ready to cross over the land, and do battle. It was not time to flee confrontation. It was time for war!

As John Frame observed,

“So there must be, however much the world will despise us as religious fanatics, indeed, especially since the world despises these convictions, a special place in our hearts for the unborn.”

It appears that too many would rather live peaceful lives than live a life that leads to peace. Peace is not the absence of war, but the result of a war well fought. So, we cannot leave aside the fact that 49 Democrats voted for the right to kill preborn up to the moment of birth, and we should not overlook that all 50 Republicans and one Democrat, voted to sustain the leaked draft from the Supreme Court. These are not two identical systems, they are flawed systems fighting against each other.

If you want the pulse of society, look no further than the issue of life. Look no further into how Democrats would categorize us, and then ask the question, “Can we afford to overthink the ballot?” I think the answer is clear. Our strategizing needs to be a lot more clever and subversive.

Dear college student,

College is an amazing experience! I confirmed my calling, found a wife, and grew immensely in my faith. I call that a win-win-win. But for you, the experience has been far short of compelling and satisfying. It seems your faith is taking one step forward and two steps back. If this pattern continues, it seems almost certain that you will want nothing to do with the Jesus you grew up with and heard from the pulpit every Sunday. In fact, there are times when you seem to speed up the process to apostasy.

I have a great fear that your ears are only open for the business of the wicked, and your tongue is desperately seeking to imitate the scornful. Your experience is not uncommon. I have seen too many young people go to college and never return to the Church again. But I expect more from you. The seduction of that nominal Christian or that open atheist may be great, but your God is greater. Don’t let empty philosophies take you away from the empty tomb. At this stage, you need a dose of warnings. The road you are going may seem flowery, but there are hidden land mines and inconspicuous deep pits dug to trap you. Take the other road: the one that is unmistakably clear. That’s the road to true joy.

It will be good to see you this summer. The cold brew at the new coffee shop is the talk of all the coffee aficionados. Some trick about straining twice through a coffee filter or using a sieve lined with cheesecloth…anyway, it’s very tasty. We need to keep talking. Your faith is too important and your life is too precious.

Yours truly,
Pastor Brito