Is There an Answer to the Permissive Society? Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Explains

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones define as the "permissive society"?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the permissive society is not merely about wrong conduct or sin. While sin is natural, arising from our constitution and nature, permissiveness represents something unnatural and abnormal. He describes it as "an isolation of one aspect of life, namely the sex aspect" that is taken out of context and considered as something in itself. It involves a "definite flouting of laws," a deliberate action, and a "delight in doing what is wrong." He characterizes it as a cult that is "contrary to nature and abnormal," going against natural modesty and instinctive restraint.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones differentiate between sin and permissiveness?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones makes a clear distinction between sin and permissiveness. He states that "sin is, in a sense, natural. It arises from our constitution, our nature. Whereas what we are discussing tonight really doesn't go under the category of natural in that way." He explains that when someone sins, they have a feeling it's wrong, are somewhat apologetic, and feel self-condemnation. In contrast, permissiveness involves deliberately isolating one aspect of life (particularly sex), flouting laws, taking delight in doing wrong, and exalting this behavior as "the thing to do."

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, how did the permissive society arise?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones attributes the rise of the permissive society to several factors:

1. The influence of a small number of clever people, primarily journalists, philosophers, and practitioners of psychological treatment
2. The evident decline in religious influence, church attendance, and Bible study
3. The diminishing power of the "Biblical point of view" throughout the 20th century, especially since the end of World War II
4. The spread of humanist philosophy that teaches that every person determines their own morals rather than following established moral codes
5. A growing anti-law and anti-discipline spirit in society

What historical periods does Dr. Lloyd-Jones cite as previous examples of permissive societies?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones points to several historical periods as examples of previous permissive societies:

1. The Regency period (when George IV was Prince Regent)
2. The Restoration of Charles II in 1660
3. The early part of the 18th century in Britain, which he describes as "almost as bad, if not as bad, as today"
4. The period just before the first century AD (the Roman era), which he explains was "almost identical with what they are tonight"
5. The decline of the Roman Empire, which he attributes to internal moral decay through permissiveness

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the fundamental issue behind permissiveness?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies the fundamental issue as the question "What is man?" He explains that those who believe in permissiveness regard humans merely as animals - slightly more evolved but still driven by instincts like any other animal. This view leads to the conclusion that humans should simply follow their desires without restraint.

In contrast, Dr. Lloyd-Jones presents the biblical view of humanity as being "unique in the universe... created in the image and likeness of God." According to this view, while humans have bodily instincts like animals, they are meant to govern these instincts rather than be governed by them. When people reject this view and rebel against God, they become "slave to their own lusts and passions and desires."

What two-part solution does Dr. Lloyd-Jones propose to the permissive society?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones proposes a two-part solution to address the permissive society:

1. First, those who still believe in law, order, and discipline must "begin to assert themselves." He argues that while the majority of people still believe in these values, they remain silent while the rebels are vocal. This might involve legal control and legislation, as he states, "If my view of man is correct, man will never voluntarily want to do what is right. He will do what suits him, what is selfish. So you've got to control man."

2. Second, and more importantly, he points to the Christian message as the ultimate solution: "When law has done its utmost and has failed, there is something else that comes in which can succeed." He emphasizes that Christianity offers not just forgiveness through Christ but also "new life" - a person can be "born again" and receive a new nature that enables them to control their instincts and live a harmonious life.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the transformative power of the Christian gospel?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the gospel's transformative power goes far beyond mere morality or good living. The essential message of Christianity, he says, is "not merely the forgiveness that comes through the cross, but new life, that a man, to use the biblical term, can be born again."

He describes this transformation as miraculous - a person can "receive a new nature" and "literally have a new start in life." Even those in seemingly hopeless situations - "drug addicts," "alcoholics," or anyone - "can become an entirely new being, a new creature, a saint." This transformation enables a person to "hate the things he loved and begin to love the things he hated."

To demonstrate this power, he cites Paul's letter to the Corinthians, where Paul reminds the church members that they were once fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, etc., but had been "washed," "sanctified," and "justified." He points out that "what Greek philosophy in its prime had failed to do, the apostle Paul's preaching of the gospel had succeeded in doing" - transforming people from a "sink of iniquity" into "saints adorning the church of God."

Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones believe the permissive society affects more than just personal morality?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that the permissive mentality cannot be confined to just one realm of life because "man is a whole." He states, "If you affect any one part of him in a very vital way, you'll find it'll affect the whole of him." The permissive attitude, based on what he calls "the unnatural and the abnormal," leads to "a general spirit of indiscipline and indeed to lawlessness."

This has consequences beyond personal morality, affecting:

1. Family life - creating difficulties between husbands and wives, and parents and children
2. Political life - leading to corruption, as it did in Rome
3. Industrial life - when "people's minds are not on their work" but "on these other things"
4. The entire society - as "the whole of your country and the whole of your society is going to suffer"

He illustrates this point with the example of Rome's fall, which he attributes not to external forces but to "internal rot" that began with moral permissiveness and eventually led to political and military corruption.