Cornelia ten Boom was 48 years old when she awoke to the sound of bombs exploding around her home on May 14, 1940. Hours later, her country surrendered to the reprehensible, Nazi regime. Corrie’s family had long been committed to the welfare of Jews. In fact, while ministering to Jews in Germany, Corrie’s brother wrote a thesis that declared the university was planting seeds of contempt for human life in ways the world has never seen. His professors laughed and disregarded his observations as preposterous. Six years later the Third Reich came to power.
Nonetheless, Germany’s terrifying takeover obliged the ten Booms to override their fear of death with resistance against Nazi intimidation. Their commitment to Christ was reinvented through covert, underground operations for anyone seeking refuge—including turncoat Germans. Eventually, they were compromised and imprisoned by the Nazi forces. Despite her family perishing, Corrie continued to use Nazi fear to fuel Christian courage. After months of torture, she was miraculously released—alone, but alive.
Americans tend to think glibly about the atrocious acts of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (longhand for Nazi). Yes, “Hitler” is somewhat considered a household cussword, but his subtle tactics are not so aversive. Words like “Nationalism” and “Socialism” have resurrected themselves onto today’s headlines. But instead of mindful insight, we arrogantly dismiss the rise of the Third Reich as symptomatic of evolutionistic barbarism—as if we’ve morally evolved from the abyss of egregious evils. Secretly we think: “I wonder why all those Germans followed Hitler anyway? I would never follow a mustache maniac like that!”
So, how did the unfashionable Fuhrer convince mass crowds into conformity? In one word: propaganda. Hitler enlisted a Minister of Enlightenment and gave two orders: (1) publish nothing against Nazism, and (2) market persuasively. Adolf controlled the literature, music, arts, radio, film, and newspapers. And that’s why propaganda is a measured and moderated poison to the minds of people. Its goal is to tell you what to think, and is ruled by sweet sentiments that squash your sensible logic. It not only persuades people to the party of power, but convinces them that resisting is futile. The purpose is simply to sedate your will so that you will conform. And resistance is the sole antidote to any form of propaganda poison.
What is resistance? Resistance is just good ol’ fashion courage. In Aaron Tippin’s country classic he says, “You’ve got to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything, you’ve got to be your own man not a puppet on a string. Never compromise what’s right and uphold your family name, you’ve got to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything.” Between Aaron Tippin’s cassette tape and Corrie ten Boom’s testimony, we could regain enough rationality to prevent our country from becoming cancellation scaredy-cats. Yes, cancelling another person is cowardly. Cancel culture is not beholden to the land of the free, but thrives in the land of the fickle. Instead of being liberty lovers, they’re tiny tyrants. And while Americans bicker and bully, dig and divide, media mobsters hustle propaganda through the hallowed halls of Congress. Constitutional freedoms are becoming America’s sweet sentiment; government-given handouts rather than God-given rights.
So, who’s responsible for the lack of courage in our culture? We are responsible. Citizens permit and promulgate the cancel culture. Thus, it’s high time we start seeding values of principle and stop seething vitriol for people. Think about our children—whom do we want them to emulate?
Courage means donning the mantle of responsibility, and ditching the mask of fear. G.K. Chesterton once said, “The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.” Patriotism isn’t a radical ideology, it’s a responsible duty. Courage is not cancelled—so let’s not cower to the feckless, fear mongers.
The local, Christian church is the most courageous community in towns and cities across America. For that reason, it’s at highest risk of becoming “cancelled.” And whether an American is Christian or not, Christ courageously loves in sacrifice and service to anyone seeking refuge or rescue from intimidating forces—including cancel culture turncoats. And by His command, Christians all over America are ordered to hold the line of righteousness, as well as advance it. Since Jesus is Lord, Christians cannot be censored. And to my fellow countrymen, courage is not cancelled either.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
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