Hi friends! We are living in chaotic and evil days…just the kind the Bible describes as the last days. Here on Looking for the Blessed Hope, we refuse to live in fear, but rather put our trust in the Lord our God who promises to redeem us from this wild and wicked world.

Speaking of wild and wicked, most people with any sense of morality were tremendously offended by the mockery of Olympic opening ceremonies. Indeed, it was a sign of the times in which we live, and it has drawn harsh criticism from Christian leaders around the world. One of those leaders, Tony Perkins of Family Council Research, put it in the best perspective I have found. Read carefully what Tony says, ponder the truths, then determine for yourself how you will respond.

Olympic opening ceremonies are meant to be a celebration of the games and the host nation's culture. But millions of viewers were left shocked when opening ceremonies in Paris featured a blasphemous parody of Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper that included performers in drag. I was saddened to see this mockery of God broadcast before the world.

The backlash has been strong, and the Paris Olympics organizers were forced to issue a half-apology. Whether or not the tableau imitating The Last Supper was intentionally designed to mock Christ, it was mockery, nonetheless.

House Speaker Mike Johnson responded by saying the mockery of the Lord's Supper was shocking and insulting. Elon Musk, who recently referred to himself as a cultural Christian, said the performance was "extremely disrespectful to Christians." I would add that it was also disrespectful to the athletes who were overshadowed by this demonic demonstration.

Musk added a subsequent post that got my attention: "Christianity has become toothless." What an interesting description. You know what -- I agree. But does Elon mean Christianity has lost its political clout? Is it toothless because it doesn't riot, burn, and loot when offended? Or has Christianity become toothless because it has lost its source of power -- the Holy Spirit?

Could it be that Christians have become more influenced by the culture, fearful of conflict, and fearful of confronting a culture that is living a lie? Have Christians changed their views on issues such as the sanctity of life, the sacredness of marriage, and even the definition of male and female, to avoid a confrontation with the culture over the truth?

Our response to these questions should be to pray. Pray for boldness and courage to live out our biblical faith so that we might influence the world around us, confronting the spiritual darkness of our day with the light of the gospel.

American Christians should also take action by continuing to engage in the public square -- including showing up to vote in November. Our ability to have a say in our nation's conversations and governance are ways God has given us to be salt and light to our neighbors. We should not stop standing up for truth as we steward His blessings on our nation.
~Tony Perkins, FRC newsletter, 8/2/2024

What is your response?