The Bible is criticized, biblical truth is condemned, and Christians are cursed. This is not unique to our country or our time. Opposition and violence toward Christians has been happening from the very beginning. Even today, there are countries where being a Christian can result in imprisonment or death. In some places, Christians are targeted for attack. Many people die each year only because they are Christians. These realities, matched by the vulgarities of the abortionists, the atheists, and the anarchists reflect a fulfillment of the warnings of Christ to His followers:
· “Ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.” Mark 13:13
· “Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.” Luke 6:22
· “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” John 15:18
Thus, we are not surprised when mobs aggressively seek to silence Christian voices, promote lies about what the Bible teaches, or discredit historical fact in favor of hysterical fancy, even if it means using violence and destroying private property or public displays.
So, the questions arise…What should a Christian do? And what do we need to know moving forward? (Especially an American Christian in the year 2021)
Into such a culture of confusion and condemnation we seek the wisdom of Christ, who said in Luke 6:27, “Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you.” Love is indeed the response that Christ requires. However, it’s an impossible task if we undertake it in our own strength. We must ask the Lord for His strength to respond in love and not to respond in kind.
Additionally, we need to be informed regarding the cultural trends and strategies of anti-Christian voices. We need to hear the admonition of the Apostle Paul, who wrote to the Christians in Rome, Corinth, and Thessalonica, “I would not have you to be ignorant brethren…” We cannot influence our family, our community, or our culture by being ignorant. That’s why Christians must engage the Bible daily, it is the only source of truth that impacts our temporal and our eternal mindsets. We cannot become “religious ostriches” and hide our head in the sand. Rather, we must intentionally combat ignorance as we encounter the cultural and spiritual battles of the day.
The two books below provide biblically based perspectives regarding the issues, challenges, and insights necessary to avoid being ignorant. As we stand equipped with the truth of the Bible and the facts of history, we will be prepared to confidently present the Gospel and courageously defend the faith. You can find these books at your favorite online book seller, or you can download and listen through Audible. I highly recommend both as resources to help clarify the issues and responses needed in this time of cultural, political, and spiritual uncertainty.
Dr. Harlie Miller, Associate Pastor
We Will Not Be Silenced: Responding Courageously to Our Culture’s Assault on Christianity,
Fault Lines:
The Social Justice Movement and Evangelicalism’s Looming Catastrophe,
by Voddie T. Baucham, Jr.
