By Dr. Don Bierle, President
Recently I have noticed several current views within our culture which stand opposed to God and His revelation to us. For example, alleging there are many genders is a rejection of God’s creation of humanity in His image as “male and female,” as revealed in Genesis 1:27. An ideological refusal to bear children by some rejects God’s command to “be fruitful and multiply” (v. 28). God’s institution of marriage and family as being between a man and a woman (2:24); the sanctity of life as opposed to abortion as a right and on demand (Psalm 139:13-16); and the rejection of any “authority-figure” except self – all appear to me to be a rebellion against God, His character, and what He has revealed.
My reflection was recently confirmed in an article in the Christian Research Journal. I make no claim to have expertise regarding contemporary wokeism. Because Mering’s article is quite extensive, I thought it best to just quote the author’s enlightening conclusion.
- “In the attack on authority, it is God’s Fatherhood that is reimagined as our ultimate oppressor.”
- “What is rejected – the person, reason, and authority – are the three characteristics of the Logos Himself [“Word” in John 1:1]. The Logos is the mind of God, communicated in the person of Jesus Christ, who is the author of and authority over all. It is He who is the ultimate target of the woke revolt.”
- “But as with any attempt to triumph over God, the result is not power, but slavery – slavery to a politicized identity group, slavery to the insatiable tyranny of transgression, and ultimately slavery to authoritarianism.”
The truth revealed by the Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul then, is particularly relevant to the woke themes in our current culture:
For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools… For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
Romans 1:21-22, 25
The answer to “wokeism” is not, however, political change, nor legalism, nor societal oppression. Rather, it comes from hearts changed by the power of the Holy Spirit, in response to the saving Gospel, resulting in obedience to God, and to the truth of His Word.
Sources: “Three Dogmas of Wokeism: The Path to Authoritarianism,” Noelle Mering. Christian Research Journal, Vol. 46, No. 01/02, 2023, pp. 18-25.
