Perhaps its with a sense of inevitability that we greet the news that the live action remake of Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ is to feature the first openly gay character in a Disney  film.  Bill Condon the director of the film has stated that this is a ‘watershed’ moment for Disney in that it will convey to children everywhere that being gay is perfectly normal.[1]  Hot on the heels of this was the announcement that the new ‘Power Rangers’ movie is also to feature an openly gay character.  Director Dean Israelite told the Hollywood Reporter: “she’s questioning a lot about who she is. She hasn’t fully figured it out yet.”[2]  Added to that, now ‘Doctor Who’ is now going to have an openly gay companion.   Now there is much that we can say about this starting with the obvious that the Bible teaches that the right and best place for sexual intimacy is within marriage between a man and woman (Genesis 2: 20-24 and 1 Corinthians 7:1-5).   And no doubt these issues may have been exaggerated  to generate publicity!   But I wonder whether that’s the main issue here?  After all, for many years there have been films and television programs that have set out to promote the gay lifestyle.

What I feel is the real issue here is that these are aimed at children!  As such, they are just another example of the increasing sexualisation of childhood.  Coupled with concerns about possible new legislation concerning sex education in schools, it seems more and more children are being force to engage with adult themes!

Now before someone tries to raise the old cliché that the Bible takes a negative attitude towards sex, it’s worth noting that the Bible  contains one of the most beautiful, and sensual, celebrations of love and sexual intimacy ever written in ‘The Song of Solomon’.  However, what is interesting to note among the heady mix of romance and frankly erotic imagery in the poetry is the recurring phrase: ‘I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the does of the field, that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases’ (Song of Solomon 2:7, 3:5, and 8:4).  One might wonder what bearing that has on the subject of the sexualisation children.  But Tremper Longman rather helpfully notes that: ‘the daughters of Jerusalem are surrogates for the reader.  We too are to learn the same lesson: Wait for love to blossom; don’t try and stimulate it artificially.’[3]  Surely what these filmmakers are doing is the complete opposite by trying to force such issues into the medium of children’s entertainment and make children engage with sexual themes whether they want to or not!

The Bible makes it very clear that the gift of children is a blessing from God (Genesis 1:28).  It is notable that Eve acknowledges this with the birth of Cain with the words: ‘I have produced a man with the help of the Lord’ (Genesis 4:1).  That being the case we shouldn’t be surprised that the Bible also has a lot to say about the raising and instruction of children.  One particularly relevant passage is Deuteronomy 6:4-9 with its emphasis on the instruction of God’s law within the family and the home.  When doing Dedication Services I have used verse 7 with its instruction: ‘You shall teach them (God’s laws) diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.’  The point being that there is nothing unusual or freakish about having God’s Word at the centre of family affairs, it’s completely natural.  After all it has a bearing on the moulding of a child’s character.

The apostle Paul when writing to the church at Ephesus gives this instruction: ‘Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord’ (Ephesians 6:4).  Here’s a warning not just that fathers should not treat their children unfairly or harshly, but also that they should allow them to develop naturally within the framework of biblical teaching.  A rather good example of this balanced approach was found in the attitude of JC Ryle (the first Bishop of Liverpool) when bringing up his sons.  A friend of his sons noted that Ryle, with his gigantic figure and stentorian voice, appeared rather formidable, but that he was  actually  kind and hearty.  He noted that: ‘the atmosphere of the house was devotional; daily Bible readings, somewhat lengthy family prayers, and a good deal of religious talk.  But all was quite wholesome and unpretentious.’  Ryle coached the boys at cricket, football and fostered their love of books and wrote wise and interesting letters when they were away at school.[4]

This is surely the balanced approach that Christian parents would do well to emulate as it allows children to flourish, enjoy growing up and develop to their own personality, with consideration to Christian values and lifestyle.  It is not about them being a carbon copy of their parents or what others are trying to force on them.  And it runs contrary to the agenda of these film makers and a society that is trying to force children to grow up too soon.  It’s about time we let children enjoy their childhood as they used to be able to do.  We should let them be  free from adult obligations and pressures as that is the Christian way as it is God’s way and therefore,  the best way!

[1] http://attitude.co.uk/world-exclusive-beauty-and-the-beast-set-to-make-disney-history-with-gay-character/
[2]http://www.msn.com/en-gb/entertainment/movies/power-rangers-movie-features-first-gay-screen-superhero/ar-BByuzKK?OCID=ansmsnnews11
[3] Tremper Longman, Song of Songs, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, Eerdmans Publishing Company,2001) 115.
[4] Marcus L. Loane, John Charles Ryle, 1816-1900 (London, Hodder and Stoughton, 1983), 52.

Sadly, once again, London has been the target of a terrorist attack. The shocking thing is that, in some ways, this should no longer surprise us.  It’s a fact that there are elements out there that want to attack our democratic system of government  and way of life, and whether we can understand it or not they believe they have a perfect right to do so!  No doubt there will be much said over the next few days and weeks, in connection with this attack and others that  are occurring around the world.  The Prime Minister Teresa May, responding to the attack of 22/3/17 called it a: ‘sick and depraved terrorist attack on the streets of our Capital’ and no doubt that is how the vast majority of people will see it and react to these attacks.

Let’s be clear, all these attacks are terrible events and our hearts and prayers are with those who have suffered loss or are concerned about loved ones who have been injured. But what is the real issue that leads someone to attack someone else’s ideology or to try and force their own ideology on them?  The Bible hits a nerve in the way as it sums up the reason for this kind of evil behavior.

‘What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?  You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.  You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions’ (James 4:1-3).

These verses really sum up the human condition, whether it’s manifested in  the extreme nature of acts of terrorism, murder, stealing or in the petty grudges that people sometimes harbour (sometimes for years) against neighbours, former friends or even family! In the end the issue  is the one behind all sin, self! Our sin always leads to us putting ourselves first regardless of other people’s feelings or rights!  As we have already noted, much is going to be said about the nature and causes of terrorism, but in the end the issue is the destructive and rebellious nature of the human heart.  As the prophet Jeremiah notes: ‘The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?’ (Jeremiah 17:9). However the good news is God has given us a cure for the human heart. This is a cure that works for the terrorist, several former IRA terrorists  have been converted when they sought forgiveness for their  sins during their time in prison and have renounced their violent pasts, right down to those who’s petty squabbles and grudges can so sour their and others lives for year after year!  So the wonderful thing is that this cure can work for anyone!

‘For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.’ (Titus 3:4-7).

It’s God’s grace and his action that is the solution to the problem of the human heart. In the end that is a cure for every kind of sin that can separate us from God and so sour our lives and bring heartache and division in this damage world! Much will be said to do with this  atrocity and other incidents of terrorism in the days, months and years to come.  But the real and  lasting  solution to the human heart’s  rebellion against God is found in the saving work of Christ  on the cross!

 The subject of suffering is dealt with in more detail  in the book ‘Where is God when Things go Wrong.’ You can  find this   on the Any Questions? page if you would like to order a free copy.   The sermon The Storm Subsides.  also touches on the subject as does A Response to the Terrorist Attack of 22/3/17: What did Jesus say when Questioned about Evil and Suffering?