Comment By Torchlight

A disturbing Problem

The teenage alcoholic is potentially a far greater problem than the young drug addict. The Medical Council on Alcoholism - a committee of leading doctors studying the drink problem - give this warning in a recently-published report by the International Council on Alcohol and Alcoholism. The report states that alcoholism is now the third major health hazard after heart disease and cancer. About drink and young people the report says: "Today the potential teenage drinking problem is much greater, not only in this country but also throughout the world, and should give more cause for concern than drug addiction". And the teenage drinkers of today could become the hardened drinkers of tomorrow.

From a medical point of view this poses a growing and disturbing problem. Add to it the divided homes, the absenteeism, and the violence and crime which stem from the same source, and the sum in human misery is appalling. The problem is too grave to be shrugged off. Our reference to it here is to stress the responsibility of all who work among young people to face it fearlessly rather than to "brush it under the carpet". By example and godly counsel we should impress on those under our care the fearful risks of drifting into the apparently harmless modern custom known as social drinking". "Everybody does it, is a maxim which leads into all sorts of sin in the permissive society of our times. The loyal Christian must not be afraid of being dubbed a "square". His testimony will be besmirched unless he is prepared to take a firm stand against this and other social evils which are no longer odious to public opinion.

Paul's plea to Timothy is particularly applicable in such matters:

be thou an ensample to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity" (1 Timothy 4.12).

A Christian Nation?

In the past this term has been loosely applied to Britain in the sense that certain standards of behaviour founded on Christian principles were embodied in its laws. During the past few decades many of these laws have been reframed without reference to Christian teaching as found in Holy Scripture. To mention a few recent ones: there has been new legislation on gambling, homosexuality and abortion, each of which is now officially tolerated. Other legislation is contemplated which confirms the gradual but positive national drift from standards which for centuries have been regarded as essential to the well-being of the nation. This, of course, is true not only of Britain but of other Western nations also

Whatever is to be said about this situation it is important that we grasp its implications. As "nominal" Christians decrease and Christian standards are challenged longcherished privileges are jeopardized. The modern secular state gives no precedence to Christianity. Indeed in some countries disavowal of Christian standards has been followed by active persecution of Christians. As secularism asserts itself in national policy this is the pattern it follows. Secularism as commonly understood is agnostic humanism and it is with this sense we use the term here. It is irreconcilable with Christian faith. It is, in fact, dechristianization. The trend is one of the grave issues of our times. It is a chilling "wind of change" for mankind, endorsing the prophetic word:

"The kings of the earth set themselves,

And the rulers take counsel together,

Against the LORD, and against His anointed, saying,

Let us break their bands asunder,

And cast away their cords from us" (Psalm 2.2,3).

Our persecuted Brethren

What is said above about the persecution of Christians is confirmed to an alarming degree in a pamphlet sent to us recently. We refrain from giving details of particular cases because such publicity may incur even severer persecution of those concerned. But that many thousands of God's children in certain totalitarian states are suffering acutely for their allegiance to Christ is probably an understatement. Laws are manipulated so that anyone confessing Christ is dubbed an enemy of the state. Many are languishing in prisons and concentration camps. Others are ostracized and dismissed from their employment. Children are cruelly snatched from parents for no other reason than that their home training conflicts with their atheistic schooling. When the full story is known the ferocity and extent of this persecution may shock the world.

Compassionate intercession for these persecuted fellowmembers of the Body of Christ should be a daily burden with all those who love the Lord.

unknown | Sept 1970
Comment By Torchlight