After the mid-term elections and what is being dubbed the “red trickle”, many conservatives are experiencing the frustration expected. Inflation is at the highest levels in a half century, and we are in a recession with no seeming end. The southern border has been overrun, including not only the roughly five million illegal migrants, but corresponding Fentanyl and organized crime. Military recruitment is at the lowest point since the start of the all-volunteer military a half century ago, with the perception of the military as being woke to many. Crime has exploded. Progressive radical gender ideology has brought a 100% increase in the number of our young identifying as transgender, with minors undergoing “gender affirming” permanent physical alteration surgery. The botched withdrawal from Afghanistan was only a year ago. This seemingly gave Republicans their best shot ever for a red wave. The reality is that politics is downstream from culture, and the progressive left has virtually captured culture for their ideology. It’s time to follow the example of William Wilberforce in recapturing the culture to change politics. Let me explain.
William Wilberforce was born in England in 1759, and elected to Parliament in his early twenties. Partly through the influence of famed preacher and theologian “Amazing Grace” John Newton, Wilberforce became a born-again Christian in his mid-twenties. As he wrote in his diary on October 28, 1787 about God’s call: “God Almighty has set before me two great objects, the suppression of the Slave Trade and the Reformation of Manners” (Note Wilberforce’s “Manners” meant the morals in Great Britain). Wilberforce’s work for two decades in Parliament ended the slave trade in 1807. He continued his work until slavery throughout the British Empire ended in 1833, the year Wilberforce died. Because the British Navy controlled the major sea lanes, he effectively ended the slave trade throughout the Western World. This was an incredible accomplishment, but most today do not know of the equally great part of Wilberforce’s influence. That of reforming his nation’s culture, of which ending slavery was included.
h/t Publius Huldah
I’m not trying to discourage anyone from trying to make a difference, but I do think we should all take note of the cautionary tale of Oliver Cromwell’s rise to power.
Humans have always been depraved, decadent, and debaucherous. If you disagree you haven’t studied humanity very much. Christian social conservatives must remember that we are all sinners. All Christians must take heed of Luke 18 and not be self-righteous.
We must always be cautious of social conservatives who covet power and never blindly follow them just because they mention Christ every so often. They can be just as dangerous as progressives who covet power. Oliver Cromwell and the Protectorate always come to my mind immediately. Other cautionary social conservative leaders in power would be John Winthrop, Joseph Smith, and Jim Jones. There are many more. You can question these leaders’ Christian legitimacy, but that is almost always done by their followers in hindsight.
Christians should never forget 2 Corinthians 11:12-15.
12But what I am doing, I will continue to do, that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting. 13For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their deeds.
NASB (1977)
The great spiritual leaders of history are history. Sadly, they are no more. Pray to the Lord that He will raise them up and bring them forth, again. A dying world desperately needs them.