We are living in times of change and turmoil. Traditional Christian values and morality, the bedrock of western civilisation, have already been eclipsed by a dramatic upsurge of leftist and anti-Christian ideologies. About a decade ago we thought that communism was dead. However, after donning a few different garments, it has infiltrated almost all institutions and areas of life, including the church and many Christian organisations. It is indeed necessary for us to discern the times and to realise that we are under a massive spiritual assault, a battle for the mind. We should not be like the Pharisees who just accommodated themselves to the leaven of Herod to avoid conflict and to attain some worldly benefit. Jesus did not mix His words but called a spade a spade when He evaluated their condition.
Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?” (Luke 12:56, NKJV).
How does the leftist agenda or neo-Marxism influence the church? Christians, especially Christian leaders, must discern the times and understand the perils of our current social context. And then, Christians must formulate an adequate response to these present threats. Actually, if we have done the first, we already have started to do the second, as the saying goes, “to be forewarned is to be forearmed”. The leftist agenda subverts the church in at least four ways.
1) Firstly, it diverts our attention away from people’s real need and from the real solution. The leftist agenda has pervaded all levels of society, everyone is affected by the new morality of permissiveness, homosexuality, gender fluidity, political correctness, critical theory and social justice. On the surface, some of these terms and slogans appear to be sound (e.g., human rights, social justice, pro-choice, anti-discrimination, tolerance). However, the meaning of many of these terms has moved beyond their traditional understanding and now conveys ideas that are often opposed to biblical justice and morality. Churches have become hypersensitive to criticism, especially in the context of cancel culture, and so have been eager to adopt the language and the causes of the left. Christians desperately avoid all things that may cause offence. We want to be a part of the in-crowd. We want to sit at the table of the famous and powerful. We want to be cool and popular. As a result, the focus of many churches and Christian organisations has shifted from God’s kingdom to a worldly kingdom, from our eternal destination in the world to come to our temporary habitat, from the gospel message of repentance for the forgiveness of sins to the message of social justice.
No Christian will deny that issues of justice in society are important, but the biblical diagnosis of the human predicament does not focus on racism, gender equality, or the absence of human rights. Rather, it proclaims the confronting message of individual sin and personal wickedness that reside in every one of us. The ultimate solution to society’s ills is not social reform, but rather the answer lies in the atoning death of Jesus through which sinners may be reconciled to God and then have the power to live righteous lives. When the leftist agenda gains a foothold in the church, it tends to take over everything. It suppresses the offence of the cross and clouds the witness of the church. The church becomes like the world and ceases to be light and salt.
2) Secondly, the leftist agenda, by highlighting group identity, sows discord, division and suspicion. Racism is a great evil and has been rightly condemned by Christians. So too, the suppression of women must be denounced. An important truth of the gospel is that Jesus came to break down the dividing lines between different races, genders and classes of people (Gal 3:28; Eph 2:11-18). However, with neo-Marxism, anti-racism has become decidedly racist. Not being a racist is not enough; one must actively promote those of a certain colour and at the same time shame those of another colour. In the past we insisted that people must be judged irrespective of the colour of their skin. However, with the new morality one’s race or gender has become a major factor for promotion or demotion. This mindset has also infiltrated the church and Christian institutions.
Needless to say, this leaven of division produces an “us versus them” mentality, and results in discord and a culture of suspicion. Paul urged us not to be ignorant of the wiles of the devil, who always wants to sow dissension and bring about division. When there was friction between the Hellenists and the Hebrews, the selection criteria for seven men to address the problem were a good reputation, being filled with the Holy Spirit and possessing wisdom (Acts 6:3). Race or group identity was not one of the qualifications for deacons. Paul often recommended people for ministry functions irrespective of gender, class, or race (e.g., Rom 16:1-16; 1 Cor 16:10-19; Phil 4:2-3; Col 4:7-17).
3) Thirdly, the leftist agenda blurs moral standards and shifts ethical boundaries. The moral standards operating in Western society have changed markedly over the last few decades, especially in the area of sexuality. Sexual behaviour no longer has a deep spiritual meaning, rather it’s simply a physical act based on a consensual arrangement between any number of autonomous individuals. This new permissiveness has also infected the attitude and behaviour of many Christians. About 50 percent of Christians today do not have a problem with living together before marriage, and many accept the horrendous practice of abortion. In addition, more and more churches are condoning homosexual behaviour and blessing gay partnerships. These trends clearly depart from the Bible’s teaching on holiness and morality. The Scriptures call upon God’s people to be separate and insist on holiness, without which no one will see God (1 Cor 6:9-10).
One characteristic of the New Left, in contrast with the Old Left, is its effort to occupy the moral high ground, which is very appealing to the young. In the name of “love”, “being non-judgmental” and “open-minded”, unholy behaviour is not only tolerated but even promoted. Satan tried to deceive Jesus in the same way by cloaking his temptations with the words of Scripture (Matt 4:1-11). Paul warned us that the devil masquerades as an angel of light (2 Cor 11:14). And the Book of Proverbs teaches us that being open-minded is the characteristic of a fool (Prov 1:32; 8:5; 14:15). As Christians, we must insist that God’s Word is truth and that God’s standards of holiness do not change. In the Bible we read, “Your righteousness is righteous forever, and your law is true” (Ps 119:142), and “The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever” (Ps 119:160). The Bible denounces those who call evil good and good evil (Isa 5:20).
4) Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the leftist mindset subtly supplants a biblical worldview with a secular or humanist one. The devil’s aim is to replace the foundation of Christianity; once the foundation is destroyed, sooner or later the whole house will come tumbling down. It is no secret that our universities, especially in the humanities and social studies departments, have become centres for the propagation of leftist ideas. These institutions have trained the teachers of our public and private schools. In other words, for decades the leftist agenda has been advocated in our public school system, pushing the secular worldview into the minds of our youth. Christianity is only one possible way of life out of many choices. The role of the Christian is to be a global citizen of this new Babylon and to embrace the programs of internationalism (aka the UN, WHO, IMF, WEF, etc.). We just need to be nice, non-judgmental and accept every ideology or government policy that comes along. Needless to say, this kind of mindset has not revived any church nor saved anyone.
Rather, in the New Testament, Jesus and the apostles frequently challenged the presuppositions and values prevalent in society. They were not afraid to confront their listeners head on, but exposed idolatry and immoral behaviour. To those who strive to create their own utopias on earth Jesus asked,
What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?”.
If our primary focus is on this life then we are of all people most to be pitied, for everything will pass away. In the letter to the Romans, Paul saw the wickedness of society as a form of judgment from God (Rom 1:24-32) and exhorted Christians to stop being conformed to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of their minds (Rom 12:1-2). It is only through the conviction of sin that people will turn to the Saviour.
In conclusion, we are living in volatile times, and many menacing clouds have appeared on the horizon. As Christians we need to be serious students of the Bible and discern the signs of the times. We need to prepare for possible storms that may erupt over us. We need to get ready for absurd accusations and charges – what the early church experienced before, we may experience again. We may be called haters and bigots, we may be cancelled and ostracised, we may be discarded as being ignorant and as the scum of society. Yet, those who are called to be saints do not need to be afraid. When the wind blows most strongly the chaff is removed from the wheat. God may well use persecution to purify the church so that Christians may again shine like stars against a black sky, attracting those who yearn for truth, holiness and everlasting life. We only need to please our God and the Lord Jesus Christ, preferring His honour above that of man. Our Lord is in heaven and controls nations, corporations and society in order to confound the plans of the ungodly. At the same time, The Lord Jesus is shepherding His sheep and preserving His church. Sooner or later, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus is the Lord of glory. Therefore, let us always remember Jesus’ encouraging words, “when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near!” (Luke 21:31, NKJV). May we not be found among the cowardly and faithless, but receive a glorious entrance into His heavenly kingdom!
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