A Test of Our Times

 

By Rod Roberts

The opening sentence of Charles Dickens”s A Tale of Two Cities describes the era of the French Revolution: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” That well-known literary line underscores why leaders need to discern the times in which they live. Had Louis XVI understood this crucial leadership principle, he may have avoided the distinction of being the only king of France to be executed.

Do you ever consider how important the times today may be to the flow of human history?

Even Scripture underscores the importance of understanding the times in which one lives, particularly for leaders. First Chronicles 12:32 says that when King Saul died, and prior to the succession of King David to the throne of Israel, the “men of Issachar . . . understood the times and knew what Israel should do.”

Jesus explicitly described this leadership principle in Matthew 16:3 when, in response to a “test” posed by the religious leaders of his day, he said, “You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.”

The ability to understand the times is also extremely important in the political arena. During my years as a state legislator I have learned to pay close attention to the zeitgeist (a term describing the intellectual, cultural, ethical, and political climate of an era). This is particularly crucial when significant issues are raised with profound cultural and social implications.

 

A MOST CONTROVERSIAL TEST

A case in point: During my years of service in the Iowa House of Representatives, no issue has come before the Iowa General Assembly that is more controversial than same-sex marriage.

On April 3, the seven justices of the Iowa Supreme Court rendered their decision in Varnum v. Brien, a case that challenged Iowa”s Defense of Marriage Act. The DOMA statute contained Iowa”s legal definition of marriage as being a “union between one man and one woman.” In a unanimous ruling, the justices struck down Iowa”s law by declaring it unconstitutional.

My colleagues and I had a real sense of foreboding as we anticipated the court”s ruling, but we were stunned by the unanimous decision and the serious implications the wording of their decision would have on Iowans and the citizens of all other states.

The vast majority of Iowans were unprepared for this ruling, and citizen response was immediate and passionate. Citizens converged on the Statehouse in Des Moines to express frustration and anger. Iowa is a very traditional state on matters like marriage and family.

The court ruling left Iowans with very little recourse in overturning the decision. I believe Iowans were intentionally placed in the crosshairs of a national, cultural, and legal battle concerning same-sex marriage. Very powerful and well-financed advocates of same-sex marriage had been methodically working in the state for some time.

It was no coincidence Iowa was selected as a battleground state for challenging a statute that contained a traditional definition of marriage. Iowa is not a petition/referendum state like California, so the only recourse available for superseding the court”s ruling is to amend the state”s Constitution. This complicated and lengthy process requires the proposed constitutional amendment to be drafted in the form of a resolution and offered for consideration in the Iowa Legislature. The resolution must be passed by both the House and the Senate in the very same form in two consecutive General Assemblies. Only after that can it be put to a statewide vote.

If the current General Assembly passes a resolution, then the next General Assembly””to be elected in November 2010″”must also pass the resolution. No action by the governor is required in the amendment process. The earliest the question could be put to a vote of the people is 2011 or 2012.

 

A SLIPPERY SLOPE

As bad as this ruling is for Iowans, the case also has unfortunate and far-reaching ramifications nationally. Iowa does not have a residency requirement for issuing marriage licenses, so citizens of other states can travel to Iowa and secure one. As absurd as this may sound, some people have actually been promoting the court”s decision as an “economic development” boon to the state of Iowa! They argue that same-sex couples will now flock to Iowa to secure a marriage license.

Although the Supreme Court restricted its decision to “civil ceremonies” and specifically outlined that the ruling does not apply to those whose religious convictions forbid them from performing same-sex marriage, I have been around long enough to know that the slippery slope principle applies in this matter. Churches and Christian leaders who have moral and spiritual objections to same-sex marriage may not be affected by this specific ruling, but eventually there will be other court cases and decisions that will impact churches. It is only a matter of time now.

I fear that the Supreme Court”s decision will become a benchmark for other legal decisions that will upend marriage laws in other states. If this could happen in America”s heartland, it can happen in any state in the country.

The judicial ruling is repugnant to people of faith who believe marriage is a uniquely created covenant that comes from God. Christianity, Judaism, and Islam do not condone same-sex marriage. This decision should be a clarion call to action for anyone who is concerned about the traditional views of marriage and the family. Churches should devote time and effort to educate people about the importance of holding to an overarching Judeo-Christian worldview that helps people of faith to sort through the important ethical and moral issues of our time. People of faith need to assert that there are unchanging and nonnegotiable truths.

Beyond the sacred aspects of marriage, a strong social case can be made that the well-being and strength of a nation depend on the foundation of marriage being exclusively between “one man and one woman.” We are now living in a time when the core values of the traditional Judeo-Christian worldview are being directly challenged here in the United States. People need to become more aware of what the advocates of same-sex marriage are promoting across the country. People need to become engaged in the public discourse taking place. We can no longer assume things will remain the way they have always been.

People need to be more discerning of the times in which we live. Our children and grandchildren, and the generations that come after them, depend upon our vigilance and action.

Will we pass the test of our times?

 

 

Rod Roberts serves as executive director with Christian Evangelistic Mission of Iowa and as an Iowa state legislator.