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"Every one that doeth evil hateth the light"
Scott Tibbs, November 12, 2003
I attended a panel discussion last night on the controversy surrounding IU professor Eric Rasmusen's blog. It got me thinking about the impact of Rasmusen's words, and one reason why it is so important to stand for his right to free speech. (The university could not censor Professor Rasmusen, but he was scolded by IU Chancellor Sharon Brehm)
If the people who sought to have Rasmusen censored got their way, it would hinder the gospel of Christ. Rasmusen, though his criticism of the homosexual lifestyle, was convicting people of their sin. Convicting the lost that they are sinners is at the heart of the Gospel message. We, as Christians, spread the Gospel message and tell people of how much God loves us and what He did for us.
But WHY did Christ go to the Cross for us? Because have fallen short, and sinned against God. Each and every one of us has separated ourselves from God and are doomed to eternal torment in Hell unless we repent of our sin, ask Christ to forgive us of those sins and accept Him into our heart as our Lord and Savior. This community has embraced sexual immorality, both homosexual and heterosexual. Look at the scandal involving a porn film shot in an IU dormitory, and the fact that a strip club operates downtown.
Rasmusen's words are critical to pricking people's hearts, convicting them that they do not, and cannot measure up to the standard set forth in God's Word. But many people did not want him to be able to speak, because his words provide light. "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved," John 3:19-20.
The Bible says we are to make the light of His Word known: For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light," Ephesians 5:12-13.
The heart of the Gospel message is that we are sinners, and that our only hope is a risen Savior who took our sins upon Himself by enduring a horrific slaying on the Cross. When the controversy over Professor Rasmusen's blog made the front page of both the Indiana Daily Student and the Herald-Times, the cause of Christ was advanced because it shined the light on sin.
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