Wrong Think I

Wrong Think I

Have you ever felt the tension between what society demands and what your conscience tells you is true? Many of us have experienced moments when popular opinion seems to contradict our deepest convictions, leaving us wondering how to respond. This struggle is at the heart of a critical question facing believers today: How should we live faithfully in a culture that increasingly rejects biblical truth and presses us to accept falsehoods as reality?

The Descent into Totalitarianism

To understand the challenges we face today, it helps to look at the concept of totalitarianism itself. The term was originally coined by Benito Mussolini to describe a system where “all within the state, none outside the state, none against the state.” This form of governance demands complete control over every aspect of individual life, eliminating personal freedoms such as freedom of conscience.

In the 21st century, this totalitarianism often appears in a “soft” form. Instead of secret police and gulags, soft totalitarianism uses social and professional cancel culture to silence dissent. In America, lies are being imposed as truths: claims that men can have periods, that gender is fluid with dozens of identities, and that basic math or biological realities are subjective. These falsehoods are not just confusing—they are tools used to enforce conformity and suppress opposition.

Such lies undermine the foundation of democracy, which thrives on shared truths. Yet today, postmodernism, post-truth, and post-privacy cultures challenge the very idea of objective reality. We now live in a world where “your truth” replaces universal truth, and privacy has all but vanished in the age of constant digital surveillance.

Why America Is Vulnerable to Soft Totalitarianism

Several factors have opened the door for this descent into soft totalitarianism. America is a postmodern society trying to function within modern institutions. The modernist era was built on rationalism, universal truths, and clear distinctions—between night and day, male and female, right and wrong. Postmodernism, however, rejects these absolutes, embracing fluidity and subjectivity.

We also live in a post-truth era, where facts are often dismissed in favor of feelings or personal experience. The pandemic has intensified isolation and loneliness, weakening community bonds. People crave identity and purpose, and new ideologies like intersectionality and identity politics offer belonging—but often at the cost of truth and unity.

Additionally, America is now largely post-Christian. Marxist ideology, dressed up in the language of social justice and equity, has filled the spiritual void left by the decline of biblical faith. This secular “kingdom” provides its own narrative of origin, fall, and redemption—rooted not in God, but in materialism and revolution.

The Threat of the Equality Act and the Assault on Religious Liberty

One of the clearest signs of this shift is the Equality Act moving through Congress. This legislation aims to separate biological sex from gender identity legally, enshrining protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity. If passed, it will effectively erase the biblical distinction between male and female that God established at creation—a distinction vital to human identity and reproduction.

The Act also threatens religious liberty by removing protections that allow people of faith to live according to their beliefs. Churches, schools, and faith-based organizations may face lawsuits or lose property simply for upholding biblical teachings. This is not a theoretical issue; it will demand difficult decisions from believers about whether to compromise or stand firm.

Historical Responses of the Adventist Church to Totalitarianism

History shows that the Adventist Church has faced immense challenges under totalitarian regimes. During Nazi Germany, many Adventists struggled between loyalty to Christ’s mission, preserving their institutions, and accommodating government demands. Some even initially supported Hitler, hoping for national revival, only to face the harsh reality of his regime’s evil.

In communist countries, Adventists were often split between “official” members who complied with state demands and underground believers who resisted, sometimes at great personal cost. These divisions have had lasting effects on the church’s unity and witness.

Today, similar fractures appear in North American Adventism, where progressive voices promote ideologies at odds with biblical faith, including support for LGBTQ+ causes and critical race theory. This “woke” Adventism risks silencing the gospel and paving the way for accommodation to secular totalitarian demands. Yet, God promises a faithful remnant who will not bow the knee to the prevailing cultural bales.

How We Can Respond as Bible-Believing Disciples

While we cannot stop the tide of cultural change alone, we can choose how to respond. The first step is to treasure and retell our history. Remembering God’s faithfulness and the truths He has revealed guards us against losing our identity and falling prey to lies. Historical memory—our stories, heroes, art, and holidays—anchors us and resists the erasure that totalitarian systems seek.

Next, we must memorize Scripture. God’s Word shines light in dark places and sustains us in trials. Memorizing key passages like the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, and Jesus’ teachings equips us to stand firm and encourages us daily.

We also need to reconnect with fellow believers. Isolation makes us vulnerable, but Christian community builds strength and resilience. Meeting together, praying, encouraging one another, and forming close relationships will carry us through difficult times.

Reprioritizing how we use our resources is vital. Instead of indulgence or fear-driven hoarding, we can choose generosity—supporting those in need and investing in tools like Christian literature to spread hope when digital platforms are restricted.

Finally, we must retool spiritually by learning simple yet powerful ways to share the gospel. Every Christian is called to be a missionary and a seed-sower. Sharing your testimony and the essentials of the gospel—summarized in three words: “Sorry, thank you, please”—can bring eternal hope to others.

Standing for Truth in a Time of Lies

We are entering an era where lies are imposed and truth is under assault. Alexander Solzhenitsyn warned that ideology gives evildoing its justification and determination. The 20th century’s horrors were fueled by such ideologies, and today we see their shadows rising again through cancel culture and enforced conformity.

The question before each of us is stark: Will we bow to lies and live in fear, or will we stand for the truth and live in freedom? Jesus said, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Choosing truth means knowing Jesus, understanding the human condition, and proclaiming the coming Kingdom where justice, mercy, and peace will reign.

May we hold fast to our faith with grace and courage, trusting God to work through us as lights in the darkness. The challenge is great, but the hope is greater—the coming King will make all things new, and until then, we can stand firm in Him.