Evangelical Smoke and Mirrors: Disassociating the Movement from the Events of 6 January 2021

With regard to the events of January 6, I have read and heard nothing but attempts by Christians to distance themselves from these events and place the blame on others.

But it won't stand. Those events were the culmination and fruit of seeds they have sown and alliances they have formed. Many Christians have spoken and acted recklessly since November not weighing the consequences and outcome of their words. They have hinted and danced around these issues and the suggestion of violence. It is no surprise that many would cross the line and given the populist spectrum of Trumpism they would find themselves hand in hand with dangerous Right-wing elements that in some cases were engaged in a coup attempt – an attempt to corral, subjugate and neutralise the congress in order for their leader to stay in power.

For years Christians have cited the famous but patently heretical Black Robe Regiment, the colonial rebels (and traitors to not just George III but Christ) who preached rebellion and murder and did so under the auspices of the Kingdom. Fusing Enlightenment ideas and epistemics to Scriptural texts (abused and ripped from context) these wolves in sheep's clothing taught sin and unrighteousness and their spiritual descendants do the same – and some have aggressively pushed this line since Barack Obama came to power. They bear no small amount of responsibility.

Some are making blatant comparisons to the American Revolution. In addition to floating the notion that the 6 January riot was instigated by Leftists, American Family Radio has given voice to some like Alex McFarland who believes the violence is justified, an echo of 1776. He later tried to walk back these reckless comments but he like so many others have planted the seeds and even watered them. And then when exposed, they squirm and slither away attempting to suggest they didn't say that. Their sociopathic behaviour merely echoes that of the president they have idolatrously bowed to.

And then there are the myriad articles that are also suggestive of violence but in ambiguous terms. A recent article by the Theonomist and PCA elder Larry Ball caught my eye. It appeared at the rag known as The Aquila Report which is more often than not a platform for error – all too often mixing Right-wing filth with Christian doctrine.

Ball, a regular perverter of Scripture and a poor student of history, seems to think that the incoming Biden-Harris administration is a 'Marxist Regime' – a point no historically or philosophically literate person can even take seriously.

Somehow the avaricious murderous empire that is the United States was a blessed Christian culture – that is until the 1960's or something to that effect. This is pure delusion and represents unbiblical thinking at a foundational level. But given that Theonomists don't actually understand the broad strokes of the Biblical message that isn't too surprising. They've been sounding this ridiculous mantra and others since the inception of their movement in the 1970's.

In considering how Christians should respond to this 'Marxist' threat he lists several options, taking his customary straw-man digs at Two Kingdom Theology (which he doesn't begin to understand) and at a variety of Dispensational Theology that hasn't existed in decades.

Like all commentators of his ilk he also speaks of Evangelical leaders who have compromised on big social issues like homosexuality but ignores the fact that their compromises are rooted in deeper things like the embrace of individualist-consumerist Capitalist ethics, feminism, divorce, psychology, and the like. These points are ignored because a real buckling down on them would fragment and destroy the Evangelical movement and its political standing. Like all blind guides, he misses the fact that today's compromises are rooted in movements and ideas that were embraced decades ago. He prefers to blame it all on the largely fictitious construct of Cultural Marxism instead of owning the moment and realising that today's culture is the decadent fruit of the 'blessed' empire and its wealth – the soul-poisons which have led more than one imperium to this sodomite moment.

Since Ball's ethic is one rooted in power and dominance, it doesn't take long before he throws the violence option on the table. He speaks of secession but is sceptical regarding its prospects of success. What a statement – to treat war and death in such a flippant fashion.

He touches on the Court Option which is certainly an idea gaining traction in Evangelical circles. As I've explained elsewhere this is a charade, a means to rule on an authoritarian basis even while keeping up the facade of liberal democracy and the American narrative. This is the dilemma for all those who are beginning to find that the American model and polity itself are against them. They've so deeply invested themselves in the idolatrous narratives surrounding 1776, the Constitution, and their myth-reading of American history, that to attack the institutions, yea, to smash the 'sacred' halls is becoming necessary – but problematic and emotionally disturbing. Some have followed a similar line with the State's Rights narrative. It's another way to rebel against the present order even while maintaining a pro-America narrative. This one draws deep from the ugly (but often romanticised) wells of American history and Calvinists in particular have a mighty (if unbiblical) arsenal to turn to in the form of the so-called Lesser Magistrate Doctrine. A justification of sin, the doctrine establishes a paradigm in which Christians can ignore New Testament ethics and the pronounced judgment of Romans 13 and take up arms, steal and kill to the glory of God. Ball is most certainly floating this doctrine even though he's being less than transparent.

Ball clearly admires Trump but as one who is something of a paleo-conservative (Theonomists oppose Classical Liberalism and thus even the Constitution), he cannot really honestly support Trump. Even his mangled reading of the Bible informs him enough to know that no Christian can seriously support the man or form alliance with him. And yet he likes him. He can't help it. And like it or not, he and his movement are allied with Trump. Don't be fooled by their suggestions otherwise.

The article contains more than a hint of suggested violence but he's being cautious – unwilling to unleash chaos as if war was something other than that, as if civil war in particular is something that can be controlled. He opposes vigilantism which might be what he would categorise the events of January 6, although in all honesty I would expect him to blame Antifa or BLM.

He's not coming out and openly calling for Christians to take up arms but like so many others – he basically is. He admits that all of these options are on the table and will probably play a part in the future. He may appreciate the nuances but I'm guessing he's been around long enough to know that most people don't. And I can assure you though many similar messages have been preached from pulpits and over airwaves the intended message (which is itself ambiguous) falls on ears that in many cases are far more governed by emotion than reason and given the climate have been worked up (in some cases) to a near hysteria.

Like McFarland he makes a strong assertion with an implied imperative then when called out walks it back by inserting nuance. Too late, your audience heard a message which was - get your guns and go fight.

They're playing with fire and for a brief moment on 6 January it caught. Next time it might combust. If so, Ball and those like him while not absolutely or even directly responsible for the actions of rioters and vandals do bear some of the blame.

I'm not the only one to note how Evangelicals (and their allies) have sought to distance themselves from these events. The New York Times, NPR, and even the BBC have called them out on these points and have written not unreasonable or unbalanced articles exposing this truth.

I have been most struck by those Christian leaders that seem genuinely surprised by these events and the behaviour of the Trumpite mob. These are tantamount to declarations of spiritual blindness. This was no surprise. The only surprise is that thus far the violence has been restrained. That may change. But this call wasn't hard to make. Driving toward Manhattan you can see the skyline from many miles away. When it suddenly comes upon you it's dramatic but you knew it was there, you knew something was coming.

Though they wipe their mouths and protest that they've done nothing wrong, God sees what they have done and so have those who have been paying attention. And guess what? The world has been watching too and though it's hard to even conceive, the testimony of the Church has and will be brought even lower by these events.

Rather than play footsy with violence and rebellion, it's time for Christians to speak categorically and denounce violence – and thus political involvement. We must reject the beast order, the system and the polluted jewels it offers. Like Christ we will not bow in order to gain the kingdoms of the world (America being but another head of the Beast). No, we take up the cross and denounce the violence and those who approve of it and tacitly support it. Do not listen to their voices, their mealy mouths and their weasel-whispers. They speak lies and sell poison. We need to come out from among them and completely divorce ourselves from the spectrum of the Evangelical Movement. It abandoned the New Testament long, long ago.

Here's the link to Ball's article:

https://www.theaquilareport.com/christian-options-living-under-a-marxist-regime/