Martin Luther wrote, "If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved, and to be steady on all the battlefield beside, is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point."

I thought of Luther's words when I once read of sociologist Philip Rieff, who describes the mood of our times as being in the "remissive mode."

He defines that as "the systematic hunting down of all settled convictions."

It is a frame of mind in which people derive satisfaction from repudiating long-held beliefs and values. It represents, "the moral and spiritual unraveling of a society." It is addictive, Rieff says, because the more it is done, the more people feel the need to do it. It isn't just a few absolutes under attack. The very idea that there are absolutes at all is the target!

The church is not immune to this disposition. The remissive mode has corroded the doctrines and moral standards of whole church bodies. This temperament has sometimes become so dominant that to take one's stand where the Church has historically stood — far from being seen as the loyalty of a soldier — may be viewed as the recalcitrance of a rebel.

"Therefore," writes Paul, "put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, stand. Stand firm, then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist ... and take ... the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God" (Ephesians 6:13-17).

Also, be heartened by this: James Hitchcock of St. Louis University thinks that the remissive mode may be an unconscious cry for help.

He says, "Modern man is near the end of his tether, scarcely able any longer to believe in anything. ... The moral iconoclast may be trying to discover whether there is indeed anything which can still be believed, and whether those who claim to believe in something really mean it."

So, stand firm! By doing so, you will help those who have lost their way.

Don Baron retired as pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church after 12 years there. Expressions of Faith is a column that welcomes submissions from pastors, priests, lay workers and other leaders in faith and spirituality. E-mail faith@honoluluadvertiser.com or call 525-8035. Articles submitted to The Advertiser may be published or distributed in print, electronic or other forms.