Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age: a review. Authored by Rosaria Butterfield and published by Crossway in 2023 (Hardback 344 pages). See also The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert.
In a social media article, one person demanded something of a moratorium lasting a year for “conservative churches to preach love of our LGBTQ+ neighbors”, that they are Imago Dei etc. Rightly so, they also wanted “progressive churches” to preach chastity and celibacy outside marriage in that same year.
In fact, more and more churches have succumbed to the LGBTQ+ and Transgender narratives. While we must concede that some have lacked grace in this area, it’s wrong to say that all conservative churches which hold to a biblical view regarding sexual sins are somehow unloving. Though all sins separate us from God, the warnings found in Romans 1 and 2 and Jude’s Epistle regarding these specific sexual sins are clear. Misguided compassionate sentiment is what Joe Rigney describes as Sin of Empathy.
Rosaria Butterfield’s Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age is most helpful and needed.
The Five Lies
The specific lies which Butterfield identifies are:
Lie number one: Homosexuality is normal.
Here she explores the meaning of Intersectionality; homosexuality and Gay Christianity and why it’s a sin even while it feels normal to some people.
Lie number two: Being a Spiritual Person is kinder than being a Biblical a Biblical Christian.
This is a big one as it’s so common and it involves misguided empathy (see the example above). Butterfield asks where God is: is He in us or in an Ancient Book? She rightfully points out that the Bible (as God’s Word to us) knows us better than we know ourselves (Heb 4:12-13).
Lie number three: Feminism is good for the world and the church. Here she asks whether we really know ourselves, and how can we know that we know. Also, does the Gospel need a Feminist Rescue, and discusses the power of a Woman’s Voice.
My own thoughts: This particular lie has transformed many Protestant denominations. I think of the Church of England and the ELCA (often led by lesbians and gays) that have embraced LGBTQ+ as normal (contra Romans 1). The trajectory has even the Methodist Church. And, perhaps notably, all these churches are bleeding in number.
Lie number four: Transgenderism is normal.
Here Butterfield expounds the Sin of Envy; the War of Words and the fact that Eternal Life is more than Just Living Forever. In other words; if you believe in Eternal Life, where do you think you will spend it, and why do you think so?
Lie number five: Modesty is an Outdated Burden that Serves Male Dominance and Holds Women Back.
The two main subheadings in this chapter are: In the Presence of My Enemies; and Exhibitionism: The New Almost-Christian Value. On this last point I am astonished to see so many professing Christian women (some mature) act and dress in a manner that would have been deemed immodest and imprudent years ago even in secular society. Butterfield expounds the biblical reason why immodesty is wrong.
In conclusion
For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. Rom 1:26-27
God will not be mocked.
Maranatha!
Purchase
Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age !
Disclosure: This link is an affiliate link meaning, at no additional cost to you, we may get a commission if you make a purchase. Thanks for your support in this way!
Read our Full Disclosure policy here.
Buy here: Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age
Sharing is caring!
