Abusers of Themselves with Mankind
The subject of those that “abuse themselves with mankind” (1 Cor 6:9) is an unpleasant one, and would surely come among those things of which the Apostle says “it is a shame even to speak” (Eph 5:12); but when almost every news programme has something on the subject, it is a matter that we can hardly avoid. Scripture is perfectly clear that such practice is sinful, and expressly warns us that the utter destruction of the cities of the plain in Abraham’s day was “an example unto those that after should live ungodly” (2 Pet 2:6). On the other hand, the sin is not one that cannot be washed out in the blood of Christ, and among the Corinthian believers there were some who had been guilty of that sin but had repented and forsaken their evil way (1 Cor 6:9-11). They did not make a “biological” excuse for their unclean conduct, nor is any such excuse valid today.
Scripture also tells us that the sin is closely connected with idolatry and false religion, and that those who “did not like to retain God in their knowledge” may be given up to it by God as a punishment (Rom 1:28). Probably numerous examples of this have occurred in our own day. The element of “the reprobate mind” that is spoken of in the verse in Romans is seen in the openness and boldness with which the sin is often made public, and in the determination that others must be compelled to endorse it. It is seen too in the opposition to the ordinary biblical standards of morality; and proponents of the sin frequently argue nowadays that those who condemn the sin are not fit for positions of responsibility in society, while those who are ensnared by it are suitable for all roles, even those involving families and children.
The two main examples of the sin in Scripture – Sodom (Gen 19:5) and Gibeah (Jdg 19:22) – strongly suggest that the situation in Britain is likely to get worse. In both cases, the inhabitants of the particular town demand the right, not only to indulge their evil desires, but to force others to submit to them. Scripture is here revealing the restless and insatiable tendency that lies behind this sin, involving a casting off, not only of duties towards God, but even of the most basic duties towards one’s neighbour.
The evil movement that supports this sin has been gathering strength for over half a century, and now threatens to carry all before it. There is hardly a public figure who dares to “move the wing, or open the mouth, or peep” against it. How it will have an end, we find hard to imagine; but end it must because “He must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet” (1 Cor 15:25). That is a day that we pray and long for. DWBS
First Taste of the Named Person Scheme
A mother in Aberdeen, Mrs Susan Watt, who has five children, reported at the end of March on “Archbishop Cranmer’s blog”, on the internet, about an interview that her youngest child, aged almost 13, had been subjected to at her school, Harlaw Academy. The child was taken out of class and told that she had an appointment with the school nurse. There was no prior notice of this “appointment”. The nurse was not the usual school nurse, and the child had never seen her before.
The questions were of a probing nature and included the following. “Who do you live with? Do you get on with your sister? Where do your other siblings live – do they live nearby? Do your parents work? What jobs do they do? Do you have any pets? How many pets? Do you sleep well? (When the girl answered, Yes, to this question the nurse said: “So no bed-wetting then?”) Have you started your menstrual periods? Do you feel safe and secure in your home? Do you feel loved and cared for? Are you listened to? If you have a problem who would you go to? Do you have a good relationship with your parents? Can you talk to them?” etc, etc. The girl said that she felt very uncomfortable and taken aback at the questions, and she rang her mother as soon as she could. Some such questions might have been appropriate if there had been a proper health reason for them, but apparently there was no such reason.
The mother has since spoken to the school and filed a complaint against the NHS. The headmaster, reasonably enough, said that he had no prior knowledge of the questions. The lead nurse mentioned SHANARRI (Safe, Healthy, Achieving, Nurtured, Active, Respected, Responsible, Included), GIRFEC (Getting It Right For Every Child), and the Named Person scheme which is already being implemented at Harlaw Academy. She refused to give a copy of the notes that the nurse had taken at the interview on the grounds of “confidentiality”.
It appears that the intention is to ask these questions of all children in their first year in Aberdeen secondary schools. The Christian Institute may be able to provide more information. For the moment, we would warn parents in Scotland, and indeed all family members, including grandparents, that any stray remarks relating to children under 18 made to doctors, dentists and other health-workers, teachers and carers may be reported to the Named Person and may rebound on the family. One woman had a compulsory psychiatric assessment after the birth of a baby because she happened to mention casually to a nursery worker, when she was heavily pregnant and collecting an older child from the nursery, that she was “struggling”. With the loss of true religion, Scotland is in danger of entering a “communist-style” society in which trust breaks down. So it was in the days of the Covenanters. “Be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Mt 10:16). DWBS
The Word of God
In an art gallery in Cracow, Poland, is a large painting which fills an entire wall. The painting is of a grim scene of Christian martyrdom and has the unpleasant title, “Nero’s Torches”. The picture, by a Polish artist, Henryk Siemiradzki (1843-1902), shows a brutal-looking Nero lounging on a covered bed in the centre of the canvas, looking bored. He is attended by African slaves and has a debauched company of men and women around him. Several of the men wear pink flowers in their hair. In front of him, preparations are in hand for the burning of a number of Christians. The martyrs have been trussed up with combustible material at the top of high poles and are about to be set on fire. The grave faces of the Christian martyrs contrast with the coarseness and sensuality of Nero’s entourage.
The scene fills one with disgust, and seems entirely inappropriate as the subject of a painting. But as one turns from it, one notices a huge Latin inscription on the base of the gold frame: “Et tenebrae eam non comprehenderunt” – “And the darkness comprehended it not”. Suddenly one realises what the painting is about. The perspective is instantly transferred from earth to heaven, and one sees, not the wicked vilely triumphing over the godly, but the godly, with the approval of heaven, bearing witness to, and triumphing over, the wicked. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints” (Ps 116:15).
The immediate effect of an opposite scripture in transforming one’s view is remarkable. The more that the people of God can apply His Word to their lives, the wiser and happier they will be. DWBS