Dr. Gary North concludes his discussion of how the Scopes Trial and the ensuing political developments shaped the 20th century.
The liberals’ strategy of subversion could not be defeated by using short-range tactics or through a primarily defensive strategy. It could not be defeated by building thicker walls around the camp, for this produces a ghetto, not an army on the march. A successful defense requires a systematic offense: an assault against the enemy’s worldview outside the camp, as well as a systematic policing of the ranks inside the camp. It requires the imposition of negative sanctions: inside and outside. It requires an ideological and financial assault outward-called missions-and constant ideological housecleaning inward. This is a full-time war.
The strategy of subversion is inappropriate for Christianity. We are not to be wolves in sheep’s clothing, nor are we to be sheep in wolves’ clothing. We must be completely open about our goal: the conquest of the hearts and minds of everyone on earth by the comprehensive gospel of Jesus Christ. This gospel is public. “The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I even taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said” (John 18:19-21).
The capture of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A., is a classic case of the successful implementation of the two-fold strategy of subversion: offensive and defensive. The shepherds who were on duty did not recognize what was happening to them until it was too late. The conspirators then removed from active duty a few representative shepherds who were willing to resist. The other shepherds meekly conformed for the sake of remaining officially on duty. The pay was good, and the uniforms were impressive: the robes of authority. By 1937, there was only a symbolic role for conservative shepherds. They had been penned in by the wolves.
Crossed Fingers
This fully-documented tome is a handbook for the diagnosis and defeat of the same liberal forces that have captured American Christianity. How did they do it? With a vision, with a plan, and with other people's money. Crossed Fingers shows how they achieved victory in what had been the most theologically conservative large Protestant denomination on earth. It also shows what the conservative Presbyterians could have done, and still have not done, to immunize the Church.
Buy NowDr. Gary North concludes his discussion of how the Scopes Trial and the ensuing political developments shaped the 20th century. Politics gets all the focus, but if every Christian began thinking and teaching how their worldview affects everything from car and home repair to art and music, as well as education (and politics), the battle would be won in short order. We must lose the “woe is me” mentality and develop a “why not me” mentality and strategy instead.