In the public square

Last Monday I had an interesting experience that I have been mulling all week. The Indianapolis Star historically carries free admission passes to the Indiana State Fair in the Monday edition of the fair. The copies go fast. So, I was up before five to go to the corner gas station to purchase a couple. In God's providence, I was overly ambitious and beat the delivery lady to the spot. So, I had to wait for 15-20 minutes. Business is not exactly bustling at that hour, and so I had a great opportunity to ask the attendant about his relationship with God. He is a Turkish Muslim, 20 years old who is studying at IUPUI. He is steeped in Islam and bound firmly by its chains. We had a friendly but vigorous discussion, but there was not a lot of openness. He is clearly a presuppositional Muslim - several times when I would respond to his remarks about the Quran or allah by saying "that's what you believe" he would respond and say, "no! it is". I don't know how or why a person would be able to continue talking to such a person if they do not believe that the Lord really is powerful enough to change the person's heart. Anyway, the paper's came, and I left more confident than ever in the truth of depravity and the need to pray that God would do what only he can do...change the man's heart.

That afternoon we went to the fair, and by about 8 o'clock we began to notice that there were a number of homosexuals there. The must have joined together to make it the informal gay day at the fair. I was shocked by the crudeness and vulgarity of them in open square like that. They were far more crass in their language and innuendoes than even your average American. I probably should have looked for more of a witnessing opportunity than I did. After feeling angry initially, I began to feel sorry for these people trapped by their own sin, much like my Muslim friend that morning.

What has struck me is the fact that my day in the public square here in Indianapolis - all less than three miles from home - began by facing Islam and closed by facing the advancing force of the homosexual movement. After many weeks off through the summer, our study group finally finished Kuyper's Lectures on Calvinism this week. The final chapter which is on Calvinism and the Future notes that where we see cultural decay around us, we cannot try to simply prop the fallen plant up again. We cannot try to reestablish the fruits of prosperity without attending to the root from which it has been disconnected. That root is always of course, the all-powerful word of God. It is our only hope for renewal. It is the only thing with the power to change hard-hearted Muslims and decadent Americans. I wish I had left my Muslim friend with a clear, loving challenge to read the word...and I wish I had somehow challenged these others at the fair to do the same. We will never out-argue them into conversation, but we do have the tool that will melt their hearts when the Spirit moves...and we have to keep putting it before them. It is the only thing worthy of our confidence - but what a confidence to have!