An Amazing Fact: After the Titanic struck an iceberg in 1912, the captain gave the order that women and children were to be given priority to evacuate on the few lifeboats. As a result, about seventy percent of the women and children aboard survived—compared to only twenty percent of the men. Rumors do persist that at least one young man who boarded a lifeboat dressed as a woman in order to survive.
I suspect that if the Titanic were sinking today, it would be politically incorrect for a man to say “women first.” And if you should dare question a man for dressing as a woman to get in a lifeboat, you would be scolded as insensitive and told gender-specific clothing does not matter. Of course, we know that God’s Word clearly says otherwise …
“A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the LORD your God” (Deuteronomy 22:5).
As Christians, you and I realize that God deliberately designed men and women with separate—but equally important—roles to play. Yet popular culture, with its intolerance of both biblical truth and common sense, has aggressively promoted the blurring of our gender distinctions. And the deluge of media programs on these topics has led to a tidal wave of gender confusion in young and old alike.
Portrayals Versus TruthReality TV shows that portray transgender heroes abound. For instance, Discovery Life’s show
New Girls on the Block focuses on the lives of transgender women. E! News network hosts Caitlyn (previously Bruce) Jenner’s show
I Am Cait. These programs are designed to target children, as on The Learning Channel's
I Am Jazz, which features a teenage boy attempting to live life as a girl.
Although these shows generally portray transgender people as happy and fulfilled, the truth is often far different; in reality many end up deeply regretting their choices, and the majority struggle with major anxiety and depression, with over forty percent attempting or contemplating suicide at some point.
While the impact of these programs on children and families is difficult to estimate, promoting the idea that it's normal and healthy for people to change gender is clearly harmful. According to the American College of Pediatricians, “A person’s belief that he or she is something they are not is, at best, a sign of confused thinking.” This group makes an even more courageous statement: “Conditioning children into believing that a lifetime of chemical and surgical impersonation of the opposite sex is normal and healthful is child abuse.” Amen!
The War on Fathers and HusbandsThe biggest target in this gender chaos is the men. The Bible says, “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered” (Zechariah 13:7). This is why the devil has launched a cultural war against masculinity.
For decades, men and fathers have been perpetually portrayed in the media as the family idiots. These consistent negative stereotypes have borne a destructive harvest within many families and marriages. Respect for the role of a father and husband is at an all-time low.
All of this, of course, is part of Satan’s plan to weaken and destroy the image of God in one of the most sacred institutions—the family. He knows that if he can undermine the family unit—on which every healthy society is based—humanity will suffer greatly and turn from God. And we can see that happening all around us!
Promoting God’s PlanYour generosity has helped promote scriptural truth over worldly values. Now I’m asking you to help save God’s real design for families—through the sharing of biblical principles that strengthen our families and churches. To a great degree, that means calling fathers and husbands to be God’s mighty men.
In a major new revival series this fall called “God’s Mighty Men,” I will be drawing on uplifting Bible stories of faithful men in Scripture to present God’s true plan for men and to call men to accountability in holiness, purity, and godly living.
I believe these candid, convicting, and, yes, controversial presentations will empower men who want to lead their families, churches, and communities in a Christlike fashion. These programs will be broadcast live on AFTV beginning September 30 and will also be aired on our national networks to millions, enlightening men around the world, helping them stand firm against prevailing culture, and inspiring moral strength and bold, Bible-based leadership.
Calling Men to GodlinessOne of my favorite quotes about men comes from the book
Education by E. G. White: “The greatest want of the world is the want of men—men who will not be bought or sold, men who in their inmost souls are true and honest, men who do not fear to call sin by its right name, men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole, men who will stand for the right though the heavens fall” (57).
I’m praying you will stand with us as we move forward with this essential new pro-family series that is so desperately needed in these last days! This exciting “God’s Mighty Men” series will start in just a few weeks, so please send your gift today to help men know what God requires of them and to reach the world for Christ.
Give now!
Your partner in boldly proclaiming truth,
Pastor Doug Batchelor