The rugby community is in tizzy over recent comments by Israel Folau on his twitter account. As a Christian I am uncertain whether this was a good approach or not but given the success of John the Baptist’s tactics, there is room for many styles of evangelism. I will return, however, to this aspect later. For now, I would like to deal with the reaction within the communities Folau has offended. Here is part of what he posted: “Warning: Drunks. Homosexuals. Adulterers. Liars. Fornicators. Thieves. Atheists. Idolaters. Hell awaits you.” Well, to put it bluntly, he is right in his declaration. The apostle Paul says this on the subject: “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.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). For those of you who might not know, to not inherit the kingdom of God is the same as “inheriting” hell. So in essence Israel has not said anything new from a Christian perspective. What IS fascinating are the responses!
Did you see the headlines of the United Alliance of Drunks? No? How about the Australian (or American) Adulterers Union? Or the Association of Australian Atheists? Nope, none of us has heard anything from the other types of sinners mentioned in the list Folau posted. I wonder why that is? The only push-back he has received is from the LGBTQI etc. etc. community. Isn’t this odd?
This is a quote from a local newspaper: “A push to sack Israel Folau over his anti-gay comments could pose problems for Rugby Australia and its boss Raelene Castle, with expensive consequences at stake for both sides.” Anti-gay comments? Wait a minute, what about the idolaters, thieves, and fornicators–don’t they have a dog in this fight? Apparently not. No one is concerned about them–so sad.
To return to whether or not Folau’s approach by posting on Twitter is the appropriate method to address this issue, I would recommend to Folau, and those who wish to speak out on various issues, that the safest way to do so to avoid the righteous indignation of various groups of unrepentant communities of sinners (I don’t know anyone who is not part of one or more of these groups), is to tweet, post, or blog the actual passages of scripture. Then, those who are offended must take their offences to the one who wrote of them…the LORD, Almighty. Have a go at arguing with Him– no one has ever won that sort of argument. Just ask Job and his buddies. They didn’t fare too well either. Here is what the LORD had to say to them when they questioned Him and His sovereignty:
“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
3 Dress for action like a man;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.
4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding.
5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?
6 On what were its bases sunk,
or who laid its cornerstone,
7 when the morning stars sang together
and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Job 38:2-7
The LORD’s questioning of Job and his friends goes on for a couple more chapters. Yeah, it isn’t a pretty picture contending with the LORD, it is a losing battle before it even starts. I don’t recommend it. Quote scripture and let the LORD take it from there. His shoulders are broad and strong, so pass on to Him the onus of justifying His laws . He can manage it better than we can. By all means speak out and do so clearly, but do so with the scriptures themselves and all will be well.
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