Riding the Fence

"Elijah came near to all the people and said, 'How long will you hesitate between two opinions?'"

(1 Kings 18:21).

The cry of postmodern thinking is that we must "tolerate" everything. Every "alternative lifestyle," worldview, or personal belief must be viewed as equally valid, we are told. The cardinal sin of our age is daring to offend someone else.

The result of this type of thinking is that no one seems to be courageous enough to take a stand for anything. We attempt to placate everyone and speak out of both sides of our mouth. No one seems to be confident in their beliefs or bold enough to take a firm position.

Elijah rebuked the people of Israel because they were trying to serve both the true God and the idols of Baal and Asherah. The people were trying to "ride the fence" and recognize both religions as equally valid. Yet such a position is ridiculous. There is right and there is wrong. A thing cannot be both right and wrong simultaneously.

Although postmodern Americans tend to "hesitate between two opinions" there is some indication that people are now hungering for people who are bold enough to be "straight shooters." Whether or not you agree with these people, the popularity of Dr. Phil, Bill O'Reilly, and even Rosie O'Donnell demonstrates that we long for people to stop dancing around issues and "tell it how it is."

Christians should not be crass and tactless. We must always let our "speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person" (Colossians 4:6). This is a principle that many outspoken television hosts forget. However, while we are careful to speak with compassion we must also be bold and confident in our convictions.