"Vox populi, vox Dei"

by James "Jay" Young, Evangelist -- July, 2009

No, I have not been reviewing my Latin primer again, and I'm not endeavoring to impress you with any erudite tendencies I don't have [anyway].  "Vox populi vox Dei" is an ancient Roman saying dating from the first days of the Roman Republic, some two centuries before Christ.  It simply means: "The voice of the people is the voice of God..." 

One finds the saying again during the 18th century, that unforgettable period of great political and social revolution in England, America and France, to set forth the basic ideas of public democracy.  Today, as then, this Latin locution can best be translated as "public sentiment."  And so, "what people want is God's will."  Or is it?

"Public sentiment" today translates into "if it feels good, do it," and so a good portion of the population in America and Europe are "doing their own thing" with scant regard for what God really expects of them.  The current state of society is certainly reminiscent of the early times of Israel: "In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (Judges 17:6). 

Regrettably, for the majority of people today, truth has assumed a relative character, so that what is "truth" for you is not necessarily what it is for me.  Some today even say that there can be no "objective truth" at all.  But if there is no objective truth "out there," then let us brace ourselves to accept many more Columbine High School tragedies in the future.  It's scary, isn't it?

The Lord's Church throughout the world is currently being challenged to adjust itself, to calibrate, to tailor itself to current culture, otherwise - the "agents of change" suggest - the message will not be one with which society can identify. 

The Apostle Paul, in ancient Athens, warned that all peoples must accept God's rule in their lives through their repentance and obedience to the Gospel, thus "adjusting themselves" to God's criteria and not that of the world (Acts 17:30,31).

Those pressing for change insist that the high-tech society of the Internet, of globalization, of fiber optics, of the ATM machine, etc. can't "relate" to the "old fashion religion" of our forefathers.  They insist we must change the "forms of religion" in order to make Christianity more appealing and tasteful to the world in which we now are living.  Is what people want really God's will? 

"Form" for many of those advocating change is actually "the very substance" of the Christian Faith.  We've always believed that "methods" for carrying out the Lord's commands are subject to change, but that the content of God's verbally inspired and revealed Word (the Bible) cannot be modified (see Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32; 1 Corinthians 4:6).  It's not about "form," it's about "content."

Today we are observing a most conspicuous modification of the very core and substance of the ancient Gospel itself.  The church risks finding itself in harms way if it doesn't awaken from the hypnosis induced by the suave manner and method of the agents of change.  Once again it is time to stand up for and defend the Faith "delivered once for all to the saints" (Jude 3).  Let's not be so naive as to think that what is being proposed for change is merely the "two songs and a prayer" thing.  These harbingers of change are messing with God's revelatory content; such agents of change ought to heed the warning of the Holy Spirit through the inspired Apostle Paul: "there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.  But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we preached to you, let him be accursed.  As we have said before, so now I say again, If any one is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed" (Galatians 1: 7-9 RSV).

But, "people want change!" reads the banner of these proponents of change.  "People want to feel their religion more," they say.  And "what the people want, the people get!"  Remember, "Vox populi vox Dei" (the voice of the people is the voice of God)?  "Freedom" now means license to change anything people want, even the very Word of God.

For several years now, both in Europe and in America, we have witnessed a continual erosion of allegiance to the inspiration and authority of the Bible.  Some in the church really have disillusioned themselves into believing they can discard certain Biblical teachings which they have determined to be distasteful.  And they think that what the majority want is the criterion or standard for decision-making in God's church.  But the Lord's Church is NOT a democracy! 

The People of God do not take votes on whether or not to subject themselves to the Authority of the Bible, to honor some of its teachings and not others.  Regardless of how "unpopular" some teachings and Biblical practices might appear to the world, God's Word is the only benchmark for determining what must be believed and practiced (and not congregational or national or international voting)! 

The Holy Spirit, speaking through the Inspired Apostle Peter, instructs us even today: "If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God" (1 Peter 4:11).  Let us beware of seeking to adjust God's Message to the world.  Let us be faithful and untiring messengers of God's unequivocal call to the World to repent and subject itself to Him Who created it!   Let us recall daily the Holy Spirit's admonition given through the Inspired Apostle Paul: "do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:2).