By refusing to take difficult, counter-cultural stands, i.e., by taking a "third way," the church is acting like what? A politician!
Pontius Pilate has a unique place in history; every even quasi-serious Christian knows his name. Pilate was, of course, the Roman governor who condemned Jesus to death despite acknowledging His innocence. It was easier, you see, and more expedient to publicly wash his hands and declare, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves” — and therefore avoid Jewish leaders’ agitation and maintain political stability and “neutrality.” It was easier to, instead of taking an unpopular stand and an underappreciated side, choose a third way.
Thus is it intensely and sadly ironic that many Christians today are, with a like motivation, using a similar rationalization to avoid taking unpopular stands. Why, they even call it “a third way.”
