Articles
Do We Need More Outrage
So, what did you think about the opening ceremonies of the 2024 Summer Olympics? Do you have an opinion? Everyone does, right? At least it seems that way. It also seems everyone has shared their opinions in my personal social media feeds over the past week.
Over the past few days, I have been wrestling with writing about this latest cultural controversy. My struggle has not been trying to form an opinion. I have several. The problem has been deciding which opinion is merely a personal reflection and which is rooted in a biblically relevant conviction. While there are probably several directions I could go, this is the thought I want to share...
…we actually need more outrage not less.
There should be more of a sense of frustration and more gut-wrenching responses when Christianity is mocked (or even appears to be mocked). Yes, I’ve read the explanations, and I’ve read the rebuttals. I’ve read the warnings about anger and not being shocked about the world being the world. I’ve read the condemnations of those who initially vowed to boycott the Olympics and promised not to watch a single event.
I have also read the following:
“Therefore pride is their necklace; the garment of violence covers them. Their eye bulges from fatness; the imaginations of their heart run riot. They mock and wickedly speak of oppression; they speak from on high. They have set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue parades through the earth…Behold, these are the wicked; and always at ease, they have increased in wealth. Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and washed my hands in innocence; for I have been stricken all day long and chastened every morning” (Psalm 73:6-9, 12-14)
“May their table before them become a snare; and when they are in peace, may it become a trap. May their eyes grow dim so that they cannot see, and make their loins shake continually. Pour out Your indignation on them, and may Your burning anger overtake them” (Psalm 69:22-24).
“For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; no evil dwells with You. The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes; you hate all who do iniquity” (Psalm 5:4-5).
“I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion. The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverted mouth, I hate” (Proverbs 8:12-13).
“The LORD judges the peoples; judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is in me. Oh, let the evil of the wicked come to an end, and may you establish the righteous— you who test the minds and hearts, O righteous God! My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart. God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day” (Psalm 7:8-11).
“It is time for the Lord to act, for your law has been broken. Therefore I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold. Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right; I hate every false way” (Psalm 119:126-128).
Yes, outrage and reactionary anger against the open mockery of God can lead to sin and bitterness. However, it does not have to. Passivity and timidity lead to apathy and compromise. We should stand. We should be heard. We should love. We should show mercy. We should follow Christ. And, yes, at times we should be outraged.
