If we are to demonstrate Christ’s Lordship in our moment of history, we must talk about and demonstrate the gospel in ways that address the primary issues of our day. Not last year’s issues, but the central ideas, ideologies, tendencies, and challenges of today.
Francis Schaeffer was fond of saying that God’s people needed to stay one step ahead of society to be a clear witness to the truth. We need to outthink and outlive our neighbors. This doesn’t mean we never say, “I don’t know.” It means we say, “I don’t know, but I’d love to learn. Do you have something you’d recommend I read or listen to?”
This also doesn’t mean we must seek a measure of expertise in everything—that is the role of the Church. For example, every member of my church need not pour time and energy into learning about Buddhism. However, the member whose new next-door neighbor is a Buddhist should. Asking their Buddhist neighbor what they should read, if there are information meetings they can attend, and asking about their spiritual journey that led them to Buddhism. And perhaps there are members in the pews who can help with their knowledge or experience with Buddhism.
Looking more broadly beyond our neighborhood to our wider society, it’s possible to identify areas where we as the people of God should humbly be countercultural. One of the more obvious right now is truth. We are surrounded by a whirlwind, a tsunami of lies, misinformation, conspiracy theories, alternative views of history, life, and reality, and accusations and attacks that prove deeply divisive and destructive. If nontruth were tiny particles of dirt, we wouldn’t be able to breath for the fierceness of the dust storm.
What might a biblical, Christian view of truth suggest for our witness in 21st century American society? I’m not thinking of beginning a protest movement here, but simply how we should live as followers of Jesus. In other words, if we are to be faithful to our Lord, what should we demonstrate in terms of our embrace of truth in a society of lies?
A lot could be listed, and my list here is incomplete. It’s simply my attempt to begin thinking about this challenge knowing we will need to learn and grow as we move forward. But we do need to begin moving forward. There are no signs that our society will anytime soon move away from lies and conspiracy theories in favor of truth, humility, and kindness.
The obvious place to begin is with Jesus. I like to remind myself that he did not merely claim to tell the truth, but that he is the truth. “I am the way, and the truth, and the life,” was his statement on the topic. [John 14:6]. There is much to unpack in that, but some things seem clear. Living faithfully in the truth requires truth across all of our life, in every nook and cranny. When we lie and repeat lies, we gain a reputation of being a liar. And that is to be utterly unlike our Lord. Repeating lies, conspiracy theories and misinformation because they are popular and have numerous “Likes” is never a neutral act. It is also why gossip is forbidden.
This may mean, often, that we offer no opinion in conversations. We may need to limit ourselves to listening and asking questions. Which are not bad things. “Smart” people often have a great deal to say; “wise” people often get to the heart of things via honest questions, and quiet reflection.
Because our model for Truth is Jesus, and because he is Lord of all, there is no sacred / secular division in truth. It is a mistake for the followers of Jesus to distinguish between “political” and “religious” truth. As if lies in politics or about political figures is of a different order, different significance from ones about faith and faith leaders. That a Christian who believes the right doctrine can be excused for spreading lies about political parties because that is a temporal rather than an eternal concern. There is no sacred / secular division in truth because there is no sacred / secular division in reality under Christ’s Lordship.
The Mosaic law was clear. “I am the Lord your God. You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; and you shall not lie to one another.” [Leviticus 19:10-11] There were no exceptions for societal vs. Temple topics.
Just as Christ is Lord of all [Colossians 1:15-20], which includes all truth, Satan is the father of lies [John 8:44]. And that includes all lies. Nothing should be more horrible than to hear the Lord declare, “You are of your father the devil,” because of having a lying tongue.
Scripture makes clear that conspiracy theories are forbidden the people of God. Believe it or not conspiracy theories are not new. They are not a modern development but were known in ancient times. Fallen people have apparently always wanted to blame some hidden cabal for the problems of the world. Blaming started at the Fall [Genesis 3] and has continued ever since.
The ancient Hebrew prophet Isaiah gave God’s word to God’s people concerning conspiracy theories.
For the Lord spoke thus to me while his hand was strong upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what it fears, or be in dread. But the Lord of hosts, him you shall regard as holy; let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. He will become a sanctuary… [Isaiah 8:11-14]
In other words, the people of God are not to participate in the conspiracy theories of the surrounding culture. We aren’t even to refer to them. Do not, we are told.
The reason is that they tend to generate fear in those who hear them, believe them or simply dwell on them, wondering if they are true. Fear for what is happening and what will come as a result. Fear that problems are insolvable, because under the surface is a vast collection of persons, groups, and forces that are far greater than anything we can possibly counteract. And they generate dread. Dread for the future, for our future, or our children’s, or our nation’s. Every conspiracy is far larger than we are, and so dread takes the place of hopefulness.
Notice what Isaiah did not say. He did not say that conspiracies do not exist. He did not say that evil people may not conspire together to increase or hide their wickedness. He did not say that society may not occasionally catch wind of such things.
What Isaiah did say is that God’s people should not get drawn into such thinking and talking. Are there conspiracy theories going around? Ignore them. Don’t repeat them. Don’t dwell on them. And above all else, don’t allow them to make you feel afraid or consternation.
The prophet makes clear that the reason this is forbidden is because it supplants our rightful fear—the fear of the Lord. I need not fear conspiracies, or have anything to do with them, because I fear the Lord. I know he is sovereign, greater than my mind and heart can imagine and is bringing all things to their appointed end in Christ. When the apostle John came into the presence of the risen and glorified Lord, he “fell at his feet as though dead” [Revelation 1:17] This is not the frightened terror of a sinner before a holy Judge; it is to be overwhelmed by glory, life, love, greatness, and majesty that is beyond our feeble minds and imaginations to even begin to comprehend.
You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness. Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls. [James 1:19-21]
Being informed of all that is going on in this broken, sad, lost, and dark world is not a part of Christian faithfulness. Only an infinite God can embrace all that knowledge and not descend into fear or despair or anger. Knowing far less can be a rich blessing in a broken, noisy world.
Photo credit: Photo by Anna Tarazevich
