Free to Offend

By Rev. Jeffery Grams

In the age of political correctness, it has become more and more difficult not to offend someone with almost anything you say. This is especially true on college and university campuses where students and professors alike are being taught that the greatest virtue of all is tolerance. Students are being taught from a very young age that it is unacceptable, even sinful, to say something that might offend other people.

Into this culture of correctness, I would like to propose a statement that may offend: Freedom of speech depends on our ability to say things that other people find offensive!

What does our Constitution actually say? “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances” (United States Constitution, First Amendment).

The writers of our Constitution understood the simple truth that what one person proclaims as true another will find offensive. At the very core of this amendment is the idea that those public discussions that people find the most potentially offensive—religion, politics, and the press—should be legally protected from censorship.

Freedom of speech means the freedom to publicly say what others find offensive!

It was understood that religious speech and the free exercise of faith would cause offense.

It was understood that those who held opposing political viewpoints would find each other offensive.

It was understood that the press would print stories that many would find offensive.

It was understood that politicians would find criticism of their personal life and their politics offensive.

It was even understood that groups of people would assemble together and say things that the majority of the people in our nation would find offensive.

Even so, the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America was adopted.

This is especially important to understand when it comes to proclaiming the Gospel! “Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone’ and ‘A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense’“ (1 Peter 2:7–8a NKJV).

The heart of sinful man finds the Word of God offensive. The good news that God the Father sent His Son to be born of human flesh and to die for the sins of the world is a stumbling block to mankind. The truth that He rose again from the grave and now rules all creation at the right hand of His Father is scandalous to the scientific mind.

The exclusive claims of Holy Scripture regarding salvation in the Name of Jesus are probably the most offensive of all: “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12 NKJV).

The body of Christ is called to proclaim repentance and forgiveness of sins in the name of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth. This good news is offensive to many; nevertheless it is the only hope for fallen humanity, and we have been entrusted with the task of sharing the love of God in Christ Jesus with the world.

The Lord Jesus Christ has forgiven your sins and set you free. You are free to bear witness to His love without fear. You are free to speak the truth that sets men free. You are free to declare the love of God for His sinful and fallen world. And yes—no matter what the world might declare to the contrary—you are free to offend for the sake of the Gospel.

Rev. Jeffery W. Grams is pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Scottsbluff, Nebraska, and can be reached at jgrams@actcom.net.