Back to Basics

At the Conservative Party Conference in October 1993 the government launched their Back to Basics policy. Previously the party had been openly divided over Maastricht and was unpopular. A coherent new policy strategy was needed to unite the party and restore popularity. Hence, Back to Basics.

The Tory party often sees itself as the party of law and order and of traditional values. With many in the country believing that a return to old-fashioned values is needed the title looked like an ideal rallying cry.

In November education minister John Patten explained, 'You cannot legislate to make people good or to make married couples stay together. But we do have an interest, since we foot the bill, and we also have a duty to talk about the fabric of society'. Other Conservative's were also clearly convinced that back to basics applied as much to personal values as anything else. Many, in particular, spoke up for the family. Children are best brought up by two loving parents committed to a lifelong marriage.

However, recent embarrassing revelations concerning certain members of government and Mr Major's reaction to these has not only brought the campaign unstuck but raised the question of just what basics we are to try to get back to.

Alarm bells are set off by other facts too. For instance, Parliament has just passed a law effectively abolishing the traditional Lord's Day in the High Street. Then a bill is coming soon that seeks to lower the age of consent for sodomy; it may well have been discussed by the time you read this.

In the past Mr Major has publicly welcomed a leading advocate for homosexual activity into 10 Downing Street. Clearly we are not being urged to get back to Bible basics.

CONFUSION

Throughout the country many realise things are radically wrong but few know how to put them right. Some see the need of a return to more traditional morals. But few accept that what was good in such values came from the Bible. What they want is morality without religion; goodness without God; the second table of the Law without the first.

The Bible makes clear that this is an impossible dream. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. If we get that wrong everything else will be wrong too. Lecturing on Romans 1:18 during the last war Dr Lloyd-Jones pointed out the order in that verse: ungodliness (irreligion), unrighteousness (immorality). He goes on to describe how, in his own day, there was widespread rejection of religion yet a desire still to hold on to morality. Yet, once morality is put before religion the moral chaos described in Romans 1, and with us today, is inevitable. 'Religion, a true belief in Cod in Jesus Christ,' says Lloyd-Jones, 'is fundamental, vital, essential. Any attempt to organise society without that basis is doomed to failure ...' He gives reasons for this assertion.

To reverse the order not only insults God, it also insults man. More interest is shown in man's actions and associations than in man as man. It forgets that man is a spiritual being. Further, there is no authority or power in mere morality.

WE MUST TELL THEM!

To whose basics are we to return? Simply those that suit John Major and his party? Or those of some other party or individual? We must see that a moral crusade will never solve the country's problems, not even a government backed crusade. Such a movement, how ever robust, cannot deal with the fundamental problem: that is that men and women have turned their backs on God and on his word. Men want their own way, their own law, their own life-style. Some are waking up to the fact that this is not working. 'We've got to get back,' they say, 'to basics', 'back to the way it was'. But how? Not by man's policies.

It is incumbent on every Christian in the land to show how. Like a million signs at the crossroads of life, we must point men back to God. They need to get back to God, back to their fathers' God. The only way back is through Jesus Christ. Without faith in him there can be no return. It is not the government's duty to preach the gospel. But it has a duty to acknowledge God and to uphold his Law and not merely talk of a return to some imagined golden age.

While successive democratically elected governments continue to assume that they can ignore Divine Law with impunity and pass laws that ignore biblical teaching, the country will continue to go down hill. We must call out to God for a great turn around, for a turning back to the basics of the Bible at every level in society. Let's hold on to the basics ourselves. The Triune God has spoken in his all sufficient word. He calls all to repent and believe. There is a heaven and a hell and only one Saviour, Jesus Christ. These are the basics to which we must return, and to which we must call others before it is too late. We live at a crucial time. People are dissatisfied but they have no idea where to turn. We must call them to Christ. We must point them to the Only Saviour. There is no hope for any of us anywhere else.

This article originally appeared in Grace Magazine

Corruption in High Places

This article first appeared in Grace Magazine in 1998

With the change of government last year it was tempting to think that political corruption and sleaze was a thing of the past but it has been very much with us so far in 1998. In Britain, nationally and locally, in America, in Japan and elsewhere charges of misdealing and infidelity abound. Even Martin Bell the anti-sleaze candidate has not escaped accusations of financial irregularity.

The fifth commandment calls on us not only to honour our parents but implies respect to the powers that be in church and state. When succeeding commands are read in this light we see that they oblige those in authority not to take advantage of their position as a means to financial gain, sexual conquest or acts of violence. Further, they are obliged to be honest in all their dealings and flee covetousness. Yet it is clear from the history of every age that many do not. How should Christians react when accusations against those in power are flying?

Bear in mind that you do not know everything

Most of what we know of misdemeanours in high places has come out when the leaders in question are no longer in office. Such acts are committed in comparative secrecy and it is usually later that they come to general attention. The violence of an Amin, the financial duplicity of a Lloyd-George, the adulteries of a Kennedy, the dishonesty of many otherwise laudable men are things more widely known now than they were at the time. A few are found out while still in office, as were Nixon and Reagan, but not always. Before we leap to blame one man and hold up another as a paragon of virtue we do well to remember our ignorance. Just as The sins of some men are obvious reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; so the sins of others trail behind them.

Refuse to believe everything you read

Similarly, just as some are able to give the appearance of probity though quite immoral so we must recognise that not every piece of mud thrown necessarily sticks. There are many with vested interests in dragging a leader down and there are many whose lust for fame and fortune makes them willing to confirm or deny as required. Further, newspapers are notoriously unreliable. With one eye on the sales figures, the other on the deadline, they hastily throw together articles that can be wildly inaccurate. If you have ever read an article in a newspaper on something you know anything about, you will have no doubt winced at the inaccuracies. Practically every day conscientious newspapers print corrections to previous articles. Not every mistake is rectified. ‘Believe nothing you hear and only half you read’ overstates the case but is worth remembering.

Remember that power corrupts, so do not be surprised at abuses

It was Lord Acton who observed that ‘Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely’. Because of human depravity this is almost inevitable. Democracy recognises this and purposely seeks to limit opportunities for abuses of power, yet they do and will occur. We ought not to be surprised.

How should we react when those in power are guilty of theft, immorality, violence, dishonesty or greed?

Opinion seems polarised. On one hand some say, provided it does not interfere directly with their public role, it does not matter. But it is surely naïve to suppose that a man who goes back on his marriage vows or who is less than honest when declaring his financial interests is unlikely to be corrupted in other ways. Why should we suppose his life can be neatly divided into public and private with no cross-fertilisation?

Then there is the idea that every man found guilty of adultery, dishonesty or greed be immediately removed from office. This is equally naïve. It makes ‘You shall not get caught’ the great commandment and unrealistically excludes from public office all but the most circumspect.

Rather, should we not say that where serious sin is evident that should be made known and where there is no credible repentance voters should be alerted to the man’s unreliability. The rule of saints is a wonderful dream but meanwhile we have to accept that most state leaders have been and are very much men with feet of clay. Some graciousness from political opponents would also go a long way to encouraging leaders to public repentance.

Remember why we are to respect the authorities that exist

t is important to remember that we must respect the authorities that exist not because they are morally superior but because they have been established by God. They are God’s servants. You remember how mortified Paul was once when he realised he had spoken out at the High Priest. Why? Not because the High Priest was godly but because it is a sin to speak evil against a leader of your people. There must be respect for the office even when we find it difficult to respect the individual. This does not mean that corruption should be ignored but it does mean to say that the office carries its own authority. Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men says Peter. Show proper respect for everyone he adds.

Remember the chief thing to pray in regard to the powers that be

In 1 Timothy 2 Christians are told to pray for those in authority chiefly that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. Sometimes that may involve praying in unexpected ways. When the USSR invaded Afghanistan some years ago, most of the democratic world was dismayed. However, it was clear to many Christians that in God’s providence opportunities were thus opened up for gospel advance. Or to take another example. The dictator Papa Doc Duvalier was basically bad news for the people of Haiti. However, that wicked man had some sympathy towards evangelical Christianity and opened up opportunities for the godly for which they were thankful. The point is that the Bible does not encourage us to pray, ‘Lord our head of state is an adulterer. Remove him.’ Rather it is the gospel that should be our focus. Pray for its advance.

Look to yourself and beware of contamination

When we read of the sins of others and the accusations that are levelled against them there is a danger. Ephesians 5:12 says it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. Reading such details can corrupt in and of itself and can also tempt us to think that we can do the same. But that is foolish. Rather, we should look to ourselves and plead with God that we will not fall into such sins.