Refusing to Bow Down

Four Men Who Boldly Stood Their Ground Against Dangerous Ideology

As we struggle to navigate the tricky landscape of cultural and political perspectives, I find inspiration in the courageous legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a true modern-day embodiment of the biblical figures Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

In the 6th century BC, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego fearlessly defied the tyrannical decree of King Nebuchadnezzar. They refused to bow down before a towering golden statue, not wanting to compromise their unwavering devotion to God. Their act of defiance led them straight into the scorching flames of the furnace, ready to face death rather than forsake their principles. [Read the whole story in Daniel 3].

Fast forward to the early 20th century, where Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German pastor, adamantly refused to surrender his church to the clutches of the Nazis during the darkest days of World War II. In a time when the world was bending to Hitler's ideology, Bonhoeffer stood resolute, boldly speaking out against the abhorrent anti-Semitism that stained the regime. He spoke out in his writings, his sermons, and notably in a stirring radio address in 1933 where he fearlessly criticized Hitler's dictatorial rule and warned the people against idolizing the Nazis under the guise of national pride.

Predictably, Bonhoeffer's unwavering stance drew the attention of the Nazi party. But he did not retreat; instead, his resistance grew stronger. Playing a pivotal role in establishing "the confessing church," a coalition of German churches committed to unwavering fidelity to the Bible, Bonhoeffer stood as a shining beacon of the gospel in the face of the encroaching darkness.

Not stopping there, Bonhoeffer even joined the Abwehr, a German military agency that secretly plotted to assassinate Hitler. He recognized that removing the tyrant from power was not just a political imperative, but a moral duty to alleviate the suffering inflicted upon countless individuals, particularly the persecuted and murdered Jews under the Nazi regime.

But like the biblical heroes who defied Nebuchadnezzar, Bonhoeffer's resolve stemmed from his unshakable faith. Through his letters and prison writings, we catch a glimpse of his unwavering conviction in God's truth. He boldly declared, "When all is said and done, the life of faith is nothing if not an unending struggle of the spirit with every available weapon against the flesh.”¹ In the end, Dietrich Bonhoeffer was sentenced to death on April 8, 1945 by SS judge Otto Thorbeck without a trial and without witnesses. He was hanged the next day. His last words were “This is the end for me—the beginning of life.”

Today Christians stand at a similar crossroads. While it is right to respect and submit to our government (Romans 13), we cannot remain silent when our leaders enact laws and policies that trample upon justice and harm our fellow citizens. The time has come for us to take a stand, just as the heroes of old did.

Much like the towering golden statues that confronted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in ancient times, we find ourselves faced with modern-day idols that demand our unwavering allegiance. These statues, however, are not made of metal but are the very principles of wokeism that have infiltrated almost every aspect of our society.

In America, it seems that everywhere we turn, we encounter these colossal golden statues of woke ideology. Similar to the Nazi regime's obsession with racial purity, wokeism thrives on the categorization of individuals based on their skin color, gender, and sexual orientation. It seeks to separate us into groups, pitting us against one another in a perpetual struggle for power and victimhood. Yet, as Christians, we must bravely confront this false idol that seeks to undermine our shared humanity and unity in Christ.

Refusing to bow before the golden statue of wokeism is an act of courage and conviction. It means recognizing the inherent dangers of an ideology that seeks to divide and devalue individuals based on superficial characteristics rather than embracing the inherent worth and dignity bestowed upon us by our Creator. By standing firm against wokeism, we risk being cast into the blazing furnace of cancellation, facing potential reputational death for daring to question the prevailing narrative.

But, just as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego chose to trust in God rather than submit to the demands of Nebuchadnezzar, we too must rely on our faith to guide us through these tumultuous times. Like Bonhoeffer boldly resisted the efforts of Hitler to “purify” the human race, we must boldly speak out against woke ideals. We cannot remain silent or complicit in the face of an ideology that contradicts the unifying message of the Gospel. Instead, we must boldly and unapologetically proclaim the inherent value of every human life, irrespective of external attributes.

Our refusal to acknowledge or accept the principles of wokeism is not an act of hate or ignorance. It is a courageous stance against a divisive ideology that threatens to erode the very foundations of our society. It is a call to recognize the inherent dignity of every individual as created in the image of God, affirming the truth that our unity lies not in our differences but in our shared humanity and the transformative power of the Gospel.

1. Bonhoeffer, “The Cost of Discipleship”