We're on Trial Again!

Ps 139:21
Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD,
and abhor those who rise up against you?

As our society grows more secular, it disdains and discards traditional faith and marriage. Faith is irrelevant, the professors say. The old ideas of the man being the head of the household invite derision in the public sphere. If you can access the Internet, you will be dismayed at the ongoing trial of Mary Winkler, accused of murdering her husband Matthew, a brotherhood preacher in Selmer, Tennessee. The couple obviously had conflicts over the things that affect every young couple: money and child-rearing. In addition, most ministers’ wives feel like they live in a goldfish bowl. The stress can mount up.
The slaying victim, Matthew, has been placed on trial by the defense attorney. That is to be expected. The attorney has a client to protect. However, not content with that, counsel for the defense has likewise brought the Lord’s church up on charges. In questioning Matthew’s father, Dan Winkler, (one of five generations of preachers) the attorney has gone so far as to attack the Biblical teachings about the husband being the head of the wife. Clearly, from his playbook, this teaching is “patriarchal,” it is abusive and wrong. Preachers of the church of Christ and its members who practice and teach this are all wife-abusers, according to the learned counsel. Here is a transcript of the proceedings from The Christian Chronicle:

“In the Church of Christ, who is the head of the household?" Farese asked Dan Winkler, father of Matthew Winkler and minister of the Huntingdon, Tenn., church."The Bible says the husband is," Dan Winkler replied."But is he the boss of the household?" Farese asked moments later. When Dan Winkler replied with scriptural references to husbands cherishing their wives and setting direction for the household, Farese asked then: "Do you have women preachers in the Church of Christ?"

You can access more information on this case through the website www.ChristianChronicle.org.
Last year’s negative publicity and broad characterizations of the Lord’s church by uninformed media personalities was bad enough. I’m not looking forward to the rest of this trial. Truly, these are troublesome times. What does a Christian do when confronted by a hostile postmodern culture? Peter gives this advice:
“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” 1 Peter 3:15-17 NIV.
Paul adds the following: “In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.” Titus 2:7-8.
In a hostile culture such as ours, they’re going to hate you because you follow Christ rather than the ways of this age. So don’t give in. Don’t hide. Stand up for the truth, and be ready to give a gentle and respectful answer to the skeptics. Just remember three words in dealing with postmodernists: prove them wrong about your faith.