When soldiers reach the battlefield, their success, or lack thereof, is primarily a result of their training. There are many other factors, but their training determines their mindset and skillset. This principle holds true for those who are engaged in cultural warfare, as well. We cannot hope to be victorious in our cultural war if we are not properly prepared for battle.
Here are five fundamental principles for cultural warfare:
1) Recognize that you are in a war. The first step to engaging in warfare is recognizing that you are, in fact, engaged in warfare. Refusing to accept reality does not change it, no matter what your community college professor tells you. Make no mistake about it--there is a battle raging for the heart, soul, and mind of our culture. There are diametrically opposed worldviews jockeying for predominance, and they will not, they cannot, coexist. There are many ways to divide and define these warring factions: Conservative vs. Woke, Traditional vs. Postmodern, Judeo-Christian vs. Progressive. Divide them how you will, this insuperable rift exists and always will (please bear in mind that I am not talking about a political war along political lines; I am not talking about Right vs. Left).
Unfortunately, much of the Church today has made peace with the world, thereby making themselves enemies of Christ. They refuse to fight the cultural war. In fact, they can often be found aligning themselves with the other side, advocating for views that are in direct contradiction to the revealed will of God.
The Church must recognize that we are in the midst of a cultural war.
2) Recognize that your involvement is not optional. Neutrality is not an option. You are involved in this war, even if you don't want to be and don't have particularly strong convictions. Thankfully, it is becoming more difficult to feign neutrality. Battles lines are being drawn as our culture becomes increasingly more polarized and the myths of multiculturality and pluralism are belied. Neither side is going to allow you to sit idly by.
The Christian faith is inherently divisive, which is why the world hates it so vehemently. The Advent of Jesus Christ separated all of mankind into two camps: the sheep and the goats. Our Savior made it clear that those who are not for Him are against Him. When you take the name of Christ, you are not only joining a family and a body--you are joining an army. This army conquers by means of conversion (more on that momentarily), but it is an army nevertheless. The opposing forces, of course, are no less exclusive. Their agenda is inherently militant, a fact for which we should not fault them. They believe that they have the truth and that it is their moral duty to impose that truth upon the world.
The Church must recognize that cultural warfare is no longer optional.
3) Recognize that this war is fundamentally spiritual. Establishing Christendom has been a temptation for the Church since Constantine's conversion, but our King does not fight His battles with physical weapons of warfare. This does not eliminate the possibility that Christian nations may occasionally need to bear arms to protect themselves from insurgent enemies, but our Lord was unequivocal that His Kingdom is not fought with traditional weapons of warfare, nor does He advance His cause by earthly means. Jesus defeated Satan through the Cross, and He expects His people to arm themselves similarly. The Kingdom of Jesus Christ is advanced by means of faith, truth, love, and sacrifice, all of which are empowered by the Holy Spirit.
This is not to say that Christians should pietistically ignore politics. No, that mindset is partially to blame for the current state of Western civilization. However, while our religion (if genuine) will inevitably affect our societal institutions, we must never forget the answer to our problem is not political. Our problem is spiritual, and spiritual battles must be fought with spiritual weapons. We will never change the hearts of men by effectively employing political processes. Rather, the character of our political structures will reflect the changes that have been effected in the hearts of men. Our battle is spiritual, and as we engage our culture, we must fight the temptation to place our trust in princes and the weapons they offer.
The Church must understand and accept that our battle will be successful only if waged with spiritual weapons.
4) Recognize the need to train and guard your children. Sadly, those who hate Christianity have strategized far more effectively than Christians have. Unlike many Christians, Progressives have thought and schemed long-term. They have gradually infiltrated the institutions of our society, beginning with our educational system. Fully aware that Christianity and the family are fundamental components of Western Civilization, they intentionally went after our children through secular education (not to mention children's entertainment). For decades the children of Christians have spent the vast majority of their seminal years being taught about life in schools where their God has been outlawed. We can hardly hope to win this cultural war when we allow our enemies to train our next generation of soldiers.
The battle we are fighting is bigger than The American Dream. It is bigger than The West. This battle is for the souls of our children and the advancement of the Kingdom of Christ. If our goal is to see the will of God obeyed on Earth as it is in Heaven, we must start with our own families.
The Church must place an emphasis on training up children who are conscious of the cultural warfare around them and who will stand for the sovereign rights of our Lord.
5) Recognize that there will be casualties. Christians should not expect to be treated better than our Savior was, and we all know what they did to Him. As there are in any war, there will be casualties in this cultural war we are fighting. People will mock and deride you. Children will leave the Faith. Followers of Christ will be called to imitate their Savior in physically laying down their lives for the Truth. The mainstream media in the West will not cover it, but Christianity is being persecuted throughout the world as viciously as it ever has been. Our Christian brothers and sisters are being arrested and killed throughout the world every day.
It's easy to get depressed as we look at the current state of the world. Lest we be overcome by the darkness, we need to remind ourselves often that Jesus will be victorious! In fact, He has already won the war! His Kingdom has been established, and His victory is being lived out in the life of His Church every day. Far from being evidence of impending defeat, the persecution we face is an integral and anticipated part of our Sanctification--we are being conformed to the image of our Lord and Savior!
The Church must be prepared for casualties, but we must maintain the standard of our King, confident that He is with us and will ensure the victory of His Kingdom!
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