Is Christian persecution close to becoming normal in the United States?
Some would roll their eyes at the question. Others would say emphatically that it’s already happening.
But hear me out, because I think regardless of whether we see the kind of persecution our brothers and sisters in other countries routinely face, we can and should be ready. And we should take advantage of our freedom in the meantime.
I do think persecution is closer than most of us would like to believe it is. We’ll get into why in a minute.
Christians have been blessed beyond belief in America to be able to worship God freely. To serve Him and live out our convictions without fear of being physically assaulted, incarcerated, or having our possessions forcibly removed. It’s something I regularly thank the Lord for.
But these freedoms are not guaranteed. They may be gone tomorrow. Let’s take advantage of the opportunity while we can.
Go to church. Read the Bible. Talk openly about your faith. These convictions – and the thought they may not long be available – helped motivate me to begin this entire web project.
Why do I think persecution is coming?
If you read news beyond the headlines, and especially from sources outside the mainstream media giants, you’ll see troubling stories of believers who’ve had their businesses targeted for refusing to use their artistic talents to celebrate events they believe to be unbiblical.
In the wake of the leak of the Roe vs. Wade decision, close to 100 pro-life pregnancy centers and ministries were vandalized, while surprisingly few of those responsible were brought to justice.
Against that backdrop was the story of pro-life activist Mark Houck, who was targeted by the Department of Justice for over a decade in prison. Arrested by nearly two dozen FBI agents in a pre-dawn raid in front of his family, for an offense so minor the local jurisdiction who investigated declined to prosecute, Houck was thankfully acquitted.
The French philosopher Voltaire is said to have written,
“Truly, whoever can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.”
Another reason I think persecution is coming is that our culture is believing absurdities. Women can become men. Men can have babies. There is an infinite number of genders. To have a different opinion from someone is to oppress them.
And those who hold these views are not tolerating those who voice beliefs counter to their own. People are being fired from their jobs for refusing to use “correct pronouns.” Others have their social media accounts locked for saying things considered completely normal and truthful a decade ago.
Legislation in certain states is being proposed that would remove a child from his or her parents if they refuse to go along with the child trying to “change” their gender.
And this isn’t normal. This defies all manner of rationality. This, I believe, is a clear indication of what the Apostle Paul said in Ephesians 6:
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Eph. 6:12)
People have been deceived. And what they don’t realize is that the things they think will set them free will only enslave them. The lies whispered to them about freedom only bring bondage.
Our culture has taken what an individual chooses to do, and made it an identity. “It’s not what I do; it’s who I am.”
Author and professor Carl Trueman wrote in his book, Strange New World,
If we are above all what we think, what we feel, what we desire, then anything that interferes or obstructs those thoughts, feelings, or desires, inhibits us as people and prevents us from being the self that we are convinced that we are.[1]
If you say that someone ought not do something they consider to be their identity, they will feel you are attacking their very person.
Christians (and to a larger extent, conservatives) are labelled bigots, homophobes, and transphobes if they dare speak their beliefs on an increasing number of issues. Further, they face losing their jobs and being banned from social media for their speech.
Trueman again writes,
[I]n the world of psychologized selfhood, society’s modern politically-favored identities see any challenge to them–in fact, any failure to affirm them fully and wholeheartedly–as assaults on their legitimacy.[2]
Oppressor and Oppressed
The popular worldview of 21st century America is some form of Critical Theory, which divides society into power groups of oppressor and oppressed. We’ll dive deeper into this in another post.
In this worldview, reactionary violence can be justified, if it is deemed to be in fighting against “oppression.”
But oppression has a very different meaning to adherents of these worldviews than it does to much of the rest of society.
It does not mean that person A is physically or financially harming person B. Indeed, person A does not need to do anything but disagree with person B, or to say something person B dislikes, for it to be deemed “oppression.”
Further, in this twisted logic, person A, deemed to be a member of an “oppressor” class, is automatically oppressing person B, whether they want to or not.
The logic goes, “Because your speech is oppressing me” or “Because you are part of an oppressor class and I am an oppressed person, I have the right to defend myself, and do whatever I deem necessary.”
This is untenable and it will give way to one of two things. Either society shifts back toward sanity, or it continues to slide into moral confusion to the point of mistreating anyone branded a (fill in the blank).
While I pray for the former, I see the latter rapidly approaching. And because of this, I believe we as Christians need to prepare to be mistreated. And it should be no surprise. Jesus warned us in no uncertain terms this would happen.
As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. (John 15:19b-20a)
It’s imperative that we deepen our love for Christ and our commitment to Him, because we will be tested.
But remember what He also said.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:15-16)
It’s important to take every advantage of the opportunity to speak freely while we still have it.
Think of what we have access to at this moment in time:
- The Bible in any translation, in print and on our phone. We can take it and read it anywhere (and even have it read to us!).
- A practically limitless library of theologically sound books, from classics to modern-day apologetics. Also available to read or listen to on our smartphones.
- Devotionals of all shapes and sizes.
- Prayer guides and apps.
- Christian music of all genres.
- Tools to create websites, blogs and podcasts of our own.
Use these things!
Jesus is still the antidote to sin’s grip on our society. People can and will be saved, and His church will remain until the end.
Remember Scripture’s warning:
[E]veryone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12)
The question is, will we be found faithful?
One step to that end is to be ready.
[1] and [2] Trueman, Carl, “Strange New World,” Crossway, 2022
