The anniversary of Pearl Harbor prompted me to reflect on the quesion "Why were the leaders of that time caught off-guard by this event?' I believe that most people underestimated the power of ideology. They did not think that human beings are capable of great evil. The same answer can be given to the quesion "Why did the world not stand up to Nazi Germany sooner?" 

     The truth is, committment to ideology could cause people to justify horrible crimes against humanity. The Nazi vision of a perfect race justified the kidnapping of Nordic looking children from their parents. Catholic church leaders in Spain, those who were supposed to protect the weak, backed Franco's revolution, which displaced thousands of Spanish children. Conscience does serve to soften the power of ideology, however, conscience can be silenced by tyranny.

     True ideologues do not seek peace and the welfare of all people, but seek to fulfill their vision at all costs. There is a new ideology that is rising in our time. This ideology is called Politial Correctness. The vision of this ideology is a world where all people have the right to pursue whatever lifestyle they choose, without any judgment. This ideology would make itself palatable to God's people by emphasizing the all-encompassing grace of God, and leaving out the greatness of human sinfulness. The cost of victory for this ideology is the trampling of the human right to conscience. This ideology will silence the prophetic word, the word of God who has a design and goal for his creation, a design that is opposed by sinul humanity. It will enthrone the desires of men, persecuting those who get in the way of their desires. 

     How should we respond to the power of ideology? The answer is not to be defensive, soleley focusing on making sure our rights to speak our conscience is not violated. Jesus said that the gates of hell will not stand against the church. Also, Jesus' great commission tells the church to go and teach the nations what Jesus  has thought. The church seems to be portrayed as on the offensive, moving towards the world, not protecting itself from the world.

   How does the church go on the offensive? Christians should proclaim the beauty of God's standards as a man opening the eyes of the blind. Christians should proclaim how God's standards keeps us safe from suffering (usually) and causing others to suffer. Christians should proclaim that God's grace covers sin, and that the more sin is acknowledged (not minimized), the greater the Grace of God becomes. In all our dialogue in the marketplace of ideas, we must lift up Christ with gentleness and respect, not treating our detractors as enemies to be conquered, but people whose hearts need to be won. When Jesus is lifted up, he will draw people to himself.