Note from the editors: One of the editors of Expository Files, Warren Berkley, is recovering from surgery. Consequently two articles in this issue are reprints from previous issues. Warren's article, "The Apostle Paul Did Not Confer With 'Flesh & Blood'" appeared in the November, 1996 issue. The other, a part of our special topic series, is a reprint of Ney Rieber's fine article which appeared in the July issue of 1996 entitled "The Bible and Political Correctness." Warren's co-editor wishes him well and trusts he'll soon "be back in the saddle again."


Christians are in the middle of a war, a war that has opened up on a new front for us today. We have long recognized Satan as our arch enemy, and accept the warning that he is a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Today he has a new tactic, based upon the old principle of peer pressure and our need to be like those around us. Some term the war we are in "Cultural War."

Cultural wars? What are they? Cultural war is a conflict between the former, traditional American value system based upon the Judaeo-Christian ethic and the humanistic "man is the center of all things" ethic. It is the conflict between an objective standard of truth and a subjective standard of truth. This cultural war is the seed bed of Politically Correct thinking.

NO UNIVERSAL TRUTH
The Cultural Wars began with the philosophical perception that true enlightenment may be achieved through human reason. However, as soon as one philosopher presented a method to arrive at enlightenment, another came and discredited it. Soon, philosophers decided that there was no "objective" truth, so everything became subjective. What was true for one person may not be true for another. Their conclusion is that there is no universal truth. They contend that there is no objective standard of rightand wrong. The wisdom of men of our day declares that each man is his own standard and none should stand in judgment on that standard. This is in marked contrast to the teaching of God. Consider a few passages.

Jeremiah 4:22 For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.

1 Corinthians 1:20-28 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of Godis wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are.

1 Corinthians 3:18-21 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written,He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. 20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. 21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours.

EXAMPLES OF POLITICAL CORRECTNESS IN ACTION
A proclamation banning "inappropriately directed laughter" and "conspicuous exclusion of students from conversations," was issued at the University of Connecticut.
A controversy erupted at Harvard Law School when Ian MacNeil, a visiting professor, quoted Lord Byron: "And whispering, 'I will ne'er consent' -consented." The Harvard Women's Law Association was offended and denounced it as a "sexist insult."
Professor Stephan Thernstrom, a distinguished professor of history at Harvard, was forced to drop an undergraduate course after he was harassed because he used the term "Indian" instead of "Native American."
During the Persian Gulf War, officials at the University of Maryland asked students not to hang American flags and pro-war banners from their dorm windows. "This is a very diverse community, and what may be innocent to one person may be insulting to another," according to Jan Davidson, a University of Maryland Official.
Many perceive the Confederate Battle Flag as an offensive symbol of repression of blacks, so it is being forbidden to be flown in may states.
The "Tomahawk Chop" is an insensitive gesture that is demeaning to "Native Americans."
Using names like Indians, Braves, and Warriors, for athletic teams is insensitive.
The National Council of Churches has recommended that the 500th anniversary of Columbus discovery of America be a time of "repentance" for starting "centuries of genocide."
Freshmen cannot be called freshmen, because that has "gender specific" connotations. Must be called "new students."
The nickname "Ragin' Cajuns" was attacked because it was claimed that "Ragin" spelled backwards was a racial slur.
When the NCAA endeavored to set minimum academic standards for athletes, they were charged with a "covert racist agenda." John Thompson, Georgetown basketball coach walked off court during a game to protest the "racist" policy.

DEFINITIONS OF POLITICAL CORRECTNESS
Peter Jones, in his book, THE GNOSTIC EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, (P.#3). states, "America is still number one, but unfortunately she is number one in deviant sex, feminism, divorce, the destruction of family values, abortion, political correctness, and the occult humanistic spirituality of New Age religion."

In , THE CULTURAL CHURCH, p.#77 LaGard Smith, says, "'Political correctness' is nothing more than a benign catch phrase for 'the liberal agenda.' In other words, you and I have to toe the liberal line on issues like abortion, gay rights, and radical feminism, or else be reported to the sensitivity police for being intolerant."

Tom Olbricht of Peperdine University, in a personal response to my request for a definition of "political correctness" wrote, "It means to be proactive withthe current cutting edge consensus (whatever or whoever that is, perhaps best represented by the left wing media trend setters) in conception and vocabulary in respect to ethnicity, cultural diversity, and gender."

William J. Bennet, chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, a federal agency under President Reagan, in his book, THE DEVALUING OF AMERICA, declared, "Politically Correct" thinking is the term given to thepolitical orthodoxy that is pervasive on many college campuses. It insists that students be "politically correct" -meaning left wing- in speech and opinion,particularly on issues having to do with deviant sex, feminism, race, "Eurocentrism," "colonialism," and the like. In reality, it is an academic thought police, the new McCarthyism of the left."

ENTERING THE PC ZONE
Just as Rod Serling warned you about entering the Twilight Zone, when you encounter any of the concepts or terms listed below, be aware that you are entering the PC Zone and that reality will not be what it has always been.It will be subtlety distorted so that right is defined as wrong, and wrong is defined as right. Bear in mind God's warning against such people in Isaiah and Malachi.

Isaiah 5:20-2120 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! 21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, andprudent in their own sight!

Malachi 2:17 17 Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in thesight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment? (KJV).

Some of the politically correct terms and buzz words are:

Truth is subjective.
There is no ultimate truth, hence what is truth for one person may not be truth for another.
Morality is subjective.
There is no absolute standard of morality, therefore, no one should ever condemn any act or practice of another.
Consciousness raising.
People who hold strong opinions or positions on a topic or issue only do so because they are self-centered and do not understand those they disagree with. Consciousness raising seminars are conducted by corporations, government agencies, and private organizations in order to remove these "narrow mind sets."
Sensitivity
Judges sentence men charged with being "sexist" to "sensitivity training" which may well be part of a "consciousness raising" program.
Victim
Everyone is a victim. That is the justification for why Johnny can't read - he is a victim of a broken home. It is the justification for why criminals are excused with little or no penalty for their crimes - they are victims of society and should be held in sympathy.
Multiculturalism
This concept has ended the "melting pot" phenomena that made America great. It has encouraged "separatism" of nationality, race, and language. Where once immigrants stove to learn English and fit in, now they are told toretain their own language, culture, and traditions and flaunt those of America.
De-constructionism
De-constructionism is the re-writing of history. We must deny the Holocaust ever occurred because it might hurt the feelings of modern Germans.
Homophobe
Roughly interpreted, homophobe means "fear of deviant sex practitioners." Any one opposed to deviant sex practitioner behavior must be so opposed because of deep seated doubts of their own sexuality. Interestingly enough, no deviant sex practitioner can ever be a "heteraphobe."
Sexist
It is a unique phenomena that no woman, even those who are ardent advocates of 'Women's Liberation" can be considered a "sexist." Only males are capable of this deviant behavior.
Racist
Again, only the male, and specifically a white male, will ever be charged with being a racist. No black can ever be a racist even if, like Farrakhan, he advocates black supremacy and separatism!
Pro-choice
This term is used by those who have made a woman's choice for her. She must not be given any alternative solution to an unwanted pregnancy but termination of the pregnancy. Her only choice is to have an abortion.

PROMOTERS OF POLITICALLY CORRECT THOUGHT
Political Correctness has had such wide-spread and rapid acceptance because of those who promote it. They are the liberal minded who are in positions of influence and power. They are primarily in academia, the news media,Hollywood, and political offices. As such, their voices have access to tools and techniques to promote their agenda. In spite of the massive re-education efforts made by those advocating political correctness, Americans are beginning to see the fallacy of the concepts. William Bennet, in THE DEVALUING OF AMERICA, page 174, said "Left-wing academics have so publicly offended common sense that the American people now reactto them not only with outrage, but also with ridicule."

Here are some of the problems political correctness is have in convincing thinking people of its validity.

Standardized educational testing has been challenged as being "culturally biased" toward the white middle class so that black students do not have a fair chance. There is a significant problem with that analysis. Non-white,Asian students do better than white middle class Americans.

Political correctness challenges anyone who says "I am right." or who takes a position that is in any way critical of others as being the only sin. Politically correct thinking is tolerant of every one and every thing, with the exception of the traditional standards and practices that made this country great.

Microsoft has been reported to have developed a "political correctness" grammar checker that will enable you to purge all incorrect language from a document. Again, there are some dilemmas they face. In India, the multiculturists have a huge dilemma. Someone from one culture cannot judge someone from another culture. Black, Native American, Oriental, all cultural perspectives are valid and true for that culture. The pro-abortionists applaud the right women have for abortion. The use of high tech methods to determine the sex of the child in the womb has led to massive abortion of "girl" fetuses because of the "cultural" bias for male children. The feminists deplore this situation. Their culture is OK. Abortion is OK. A cultural bias for the abortion of girl babies is... They have a dilemma!

SOUR FRUIT OF POLITICAL CORRECTNESS
"For supposedly noble reasons - including the wish to instill ethnic and racial pride - universities are drawing more and more attention to race. Increasingly we've gone from putting a premium on being color-blind to putting a premium on being color conscious." William Bennet, The De-Valuing of America, p 184

Blacks, Hispanics, and other minorities, under the guise of cultural heritage and racial pride are being encouraged to seek "separate but equal" facilities in all walks of life. Literature is now judged on the race andgender of its author rather than the quality of writing. History is being re written with and Afro-centrism bias, that everything good originates out of Africa and is"black." Abraham, Isaac, and Jesus were black. The reason Joseph and Mary were turned away from the inn was that they were black. Eli Whitney was black Beethoven was black Robert Browning was black. This is not ajoke, but what many are advocating.

History is being placed under the rule of subjectivism, so that some are now are advocating that the "Holocaust" never occurred, and want to re-write the history books to reflect this opinion.

Everyone is either the descendant of a victim or the descendant of an oppressor. As such, the descendants of victims are due some recompense, and the descendants of the oppressors are to be held liable.

Political Correctness has become a bastion for ignorance and misinformation.

DEALING WITH POLITICAL CORRECTNESS....
It is important for those who would serve God to respect who and what is deserving of respect for the reason they are due the respect. Romans 13:7 tells us: "7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tributeis due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

Compare the different responses of Bork and Clarence Thomas to the challenges made to them as to their worthiness to sit on the Supreme Court. The outcomes were extremely different. Clarence Thomas challenged thepolitically correct challenges openly and publicly. He won! There may be a lesson there for how to deal with politically correct challenges.

Expose the arguments to public examination. Do not flee. In fact, do just the opposite. James writes, in James 4:7, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." One of the best ways toresist sin is to correctly label it. Issues such as Pro-choice are in reality, Pro-Abortion. Focus the thought on the real issue, not the straw-man erected by the politically correct faction.

Apply the Biblical response to issues such as political correctness.

Don't follow the crowd - Political correctness is frequently an attempt to justify sin.

Exodus 23:2 Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:

Recognize the subterfuge of Satan.

Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Don't accept the philosophy because it flatly contradicts God's word.

Proverbs 17:15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.

Proverbs 24:24 He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him: 25 But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.

Malachi 2:17 Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?

God's description of the Gentile condition is like a prophetic picture of the end result of the "politically correct" road.

Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things ofhim from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without naturalaffection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

THE BIBLICAL APPLICATION FOR CHRISTIANS...
Neither favor nor slight anyone because of race, color, national origin, religion, or gender.

Proverbs 22:2 The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.

James 2:1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; 3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: 4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? 5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? 6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? 7 Do not theyblaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? 8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: 9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

Acts 10:28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

DON'T EVER FORGET THAT THERE IS AN OBJECTIVE STANDARD OF TRUTH. THAT STANDARD IS THE BIBLE, GOD'S WORD.
 

By Ney Rieber
From Expository Files 7.9; September 2000


 

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