There is no perfect nation. There will never be a perfect nation. If a nation tries to be politically correct it will destroy itself. This we are seeing play out in the news feeds.
European politics are entering a unusual period of unvarnished simplicity. There are two social models on offer: virtuous surrender or vulgar sovereignty. Despite the pleasures of procrastination, Europeans are soon going to be put to the choice of either relinquishing or retaining their ancient lands. Political vehicles for both options are on the table. There is, of course, the Merkel model of compassionate dissolution, and the increasingly viable Orban platform of national continuity. Many other political fissures exist, though none remotely as relevant.
There has never been a perfect church. There has never been a church without error, and without those who would destroy it. We cannot assume that, simply because something comes from the eldership, or the head office, that it correct. Indeed, often the teachings from the head office or parachurch ministries are full of error.
If a Church is dead there is nothing but weeds. But before we condemn — and, given what has happened to Presbyterian Churches around the world the temptation to walk away and leave them to the enemy is great — we have to think that there may be some health remaining in the field.
Not calling weeds grain in some form of post modern foolishness, but being aware that none should be left without the gospel.
He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’”
Now, we have to confront error. If we can win some battles rejoice, If we can bear witness to the truth, let us rejoice greatly. For the weeds care not, but the wheat does.
The only thing that makes marriage realistic, and divorce unthinkable, is a society that aligns itself into an acceptance of imperfection. When your wife is depressed, tired, and bitchily ratty, you love her regardless. And when you put on 20 kilos courtesy of the job taking gym time and providing nothing but donuts and pringles at work, she loves you.
Not that one should let work take over the gym, nor eat those things: a smart wife knows how to pay defence with a lunchbox.
A society without legal divorce is beautiful not because it is easy but because it is idealistic. Loyalty is super-human. Loyalty is beautiful precisely because it does not suit us. It infuses society with the transcendent in the same way a palace beautifies the lives of the poor who live nearby. Marriage is art, not instinct. Marriage is will when not feeling.
At Crisis, Anthony Esolen reflects on the traditional Catholic view of divorce, in light of the family synod in Rome. His essay is nice, but it is unlikely to move the hearts of revolutionary “bishops” in Rome who fulfill some of the worst stereotypes of male clergy who know nothing about marriage. Of course, it is difficult! The vow itself is a sign of difficulty and obstacles, you committee crunchers! We don’t vow to eat lunch everyday. We don’t vow to take a shower. We vow to do things that are impossible. All times have been “challenging times” when it comes to marriage.
When we have the ignorant snark at us, then the truth back will hurt. For ideas have consequences, and warning people of the cliff is a mercy.
But do not look for perfection in this life. Look for loyalty. Look for steadfastness. And look, again, at what the elite teach, assuming that we are the gods of this age. Which we are not: we have neither the power, nor the knowledge, nor the moral standing that would ever make us worthy of worship.