“The Word of God is like a lion. You don’t have to defend a lion. All you have to do is let the lion loose, and the lion will defend itself.”
Charles Spurgeon
Was there ever a simpler time? I think there was. I think the rise of cable news and then the internet has complicated things. I think the opinions and emotions of the world and the vocal minority have been thrust upon us all whether we like it or not. And it’s all making one thing clearer – humans are tribalistic. We belong to groups, and now the groups are shifting about. At root, it all remains the same, but the centers of power change. Out with the old religion, in with the new. It is, of course, all about power, and power is projected by the tribe that holds the most of it. And as usual, regardless of the original (and quite likely altruistic) intent, the corruption of human desire won’t be far behind.
That’s the way of it. We would be naïve to think that today’s anti-fascists won’t tomorrow become that which they oppose. It’s human nature. Everyone has their way of doing things – their set of rules — and it’s only a matter of time before the kind of rules that were branded as “wrong” before start showing in the new set. And yeah, fascism is a bad thing, and I applaud those who oppose it. But we’re not far from a time – and we’re seeing the seeds of it already – when the anti-fascists’ views of how we should all enforce their brand of anti-fascism starts to resemble fascism itself. It starts with a strong “no Nazis” kind of policy — something on which most can agree — then it moves on to include those other groups with which we disagree. And most certainly, those who might believe in a God who disapproves of someone’s favored behavior will have to be taught their lessons.
Is it really coming? Sure, it is. It’s already here to some extent. One doesn’t have to look far to see people now afraid to speak up for the things in which they believe. And I’m sure an ever greater marginalization is on the way.
But of course, Christians have no need to fear. Do we need to be reminded that Paul wrote of submission to the authorities to the church in the city where he (and so many other Christians) was executed by those authorities? The church was born in the blood of martyrs, and it is sustained by its founder and the entire reason for its being – Jesus.
And so our answer?
This whole line of thinking came from my reflections on the constant bombardments of society around us – the chipping away at the compass that directs our lives. It’s really a matter of what humanity holds up as gods. The vacuum of not having any moral authority but our own has turned us this way. But in all of this, one verse from the Bible stuck out to me this morning – Philippians 4:8. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Having pondered that, I also couldn’t help but think of Ephesians 4:29 – “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Or Romans 12:18 – “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
The Bible calls Christians to a sort of gentle confidence. Jesus himself in the Sermon on the Mount tells us to turn the other cheek, give to those in need, and love your enemies. We are to be salt and light to the world. Give to the poor. Visit the sick and imprisoned. Care for orphans and widows. This list goes on, and I find myself asking, “where did we lose sight of this?” When did American Christianity become an honor religion where affronts to our God must be met with threats and violence? Have we forgotten that we are the ones who need God, and not the other way around?
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.”
Jesus (John 14:2)