Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. Colossians 1:28-29
Tens of thousands of Christians throughout history have been martyred, not because they cared for the poor, but because they challenged ideas. In order to reconcile people to God we must do more than good works. Good works are an essential part of being a Christian, of course. But we also must proclaim the truth about Christ. We are proclaimers of the gospel.
Pressure to be silent
We live in strange times. There seems to be an unspoken rule that we cannot speak about religion—especially if it upsets people. The societal code seems to be that it’s okay to have an opinion, but we should never push our opinions on others. Christians have been silenced in many arenas. It is strictly forbidden for Christians to proclaim the gospel message in settings like schools, workplaces, and other public spaces. Technically, it is legal to preach on street corners, but doing so would be met with utter disregard or resistance. If the preaching was potent enough—like Jeremiah or Isaiah’s prophetic messages—it could result in violence. In the few decades I have seriously followed Jesus, things are getting progressively worse.
Lies
Let’s stand back for a moment and consider the situation. Masses of people in society have bought into lies. The lies are that the Bible is outdated. That Christianity is irrelevant or even toxic. That all religions are equal. That no one really knows who God is. That “good” people go to heaven. That there is no hell. That people should be free to practice whatever kind of lifestyle they want to. That no one should assert that their worldview is true.
I could keep going, but you know exactly what I’m talking about. These ideas are reinforced continually in social media, in schools, in publications, in political speeches, in Grammy and Oscar speeches, in pop novels and best-selling non-fiction books, in advertising, in TV shows and movies, and in many other ways. These ideas have been pushed into us since childhood by parents, peers, professors, politicians, and even pastors. We are swimming in these ideas that the Bible clearly teaches are false. It seems impossible that people would step out of the waters of these ideas and come onto the rock of Christ. It would go against almost everything they’ve been taught from birth.
Idea revolutions
History, however, shows us how people dramatically change their ways of thinking. Massive segments of society have experienced a widespread reversal of thinking. Examples of this would be how people think about women, people of color, or the Vietnam war. How does this happen? How do idea movements begin that overturn false ideas?
It usually starts with a quiet seething discontent with the way things are. People start talking behind closed doors. At some point they begin bravely speaking out. I think of Alice Paul, for example. She not only spoke out, but she organized people and confronted the opposition to women’s rights. MLK was another example of someone bravely speaking out and organizing demonstrations on behalf of the rights of black men and women. In the early 70’s there was a powerful movement of poets snd musicians that challenged the decisions of President Nixon regarding the Vietnam war.
What we find when we study the history of false ideas being toppled is that it never goes smoothly. MLK didn’t give one beautiful speech that changed everyone’s mind about black rights. One Marvin Gaye song didn’t bring a halt to the Vietnam war. No. The reformers who spoke out were met by enormous resistance.
Resistance
We have to realize that lies (false ideas) are not merely upheld by the human powers that be or the majority. Behind the lies we find Satan, the “father of lies.” And he does not yield so easily. Those who oppose false ideas are often ostracized, imprisoned, beaten, or killed. They are slandered fiercely. The government has even attempted to silence them or censor publications. Many examples could be given, including Jesus himself and his followers.
When false ideas are toppled in a society, the reformers who speak out are often viciously attacked by opponents. But they don’t let up. They keep speaking out and they keep demonstrating and protesting. More opposition comes. People are killed. They keep speaking. Their tenacity through affliction and social marginalization begins to garner attention. It begins to polarize society. Part of society hates the reformer; part of society supports them. The movement gains traction. More and more begin to speak out. The character and love of those contending for truth becomes evident to many and minds are changed. When society witnessed the enormous suffering of people like MLK and Alice Paul and their followers—something resonated. When blacks were seen on national television being attacked and blown down by fire hoses—it awakened the humanity in society. Many said in their hearts, “I don’t want to be on the side of the opposition to this movement.”
Disturb the bees nest
I say all this as a reminder that the false ideas held by society that keep them from being reconciled to Christ will not be dismantled without messy opposition. Christianity—at least in its pure form—is under attack in our country. The orthodox Christian faith with its views on sin, on hell, on sexuality, on the exclusivity of Christ as Savior—is shunned.
With deep love and respect for all people, these false ideas must be challenged.
We must realize that speaking the truth is like throwing a rock at a bee’s nest. I did that once, and do you know what happened? I got stung several times. May God give us courage to confront the false ideas that keep people in darkness. If we are cancelled, then fine. If we lose our job, then fine. If we create tension, then fine. If we are imprisoned, then fine. If slandered, then fine. If we perish, we perish. We are not alone. This is the experience of all those truth-tellers who courageously confronted the false ideas of their day.
Strangely, the greatest opposition to the prophetic voices has always come from the guardians of the status quo within the Church. Selah.