I quote u/CrusaderPepe's most recent podcast guest and would like to add my own thoughts because it got me thinking. By successfully framing the debate, satan wins. We see this issue in all theaters of western politics. We usually refer to it as the Overton Window.. this being "the frame" in which socially acceptable opinions must fit into lest they be automatically dismissed as being "obsolete, insensitive, bigoted."
There are always many actors involved in creating this frame and it is not one sided. Four sides are involved in creating the frame. In American politics, we have the democrats, progressives, conservatives and republican conservatives. Each side works together in tangent to frame acceptable politics. The liberals create a position, the democrats support the position, the republicans legitimize the position and the conservatives entrench the position. This is evident when looking back on the issues of the past century, segregation for instance. The moment the conservatives largely accept any position, regardless of how vulgar it *once was*, it becomes a definitive part of Americanism.
Interestingly, the segregation debate has been renewed. However this time it is the vulgar and unAmerican progressives renewing it. Satan has built a frame, ensured that segregation lies far outside of it, yet now tempts the frame with his own version of the argument. "Black people need black spaces." This is done to evoke a reaction from white conservatives. Now it is white conservatives defending desegregation, the places have flipped 180 degrees and this is done for a specific reason. The establishment will not put up a meaningful fight against this rhetoric because they have no intention of actually segregating. It is done only to create confusion and restructure social alignments to certain issues. Again, whatever formerly progressive position the conservatives adopt will be utterly established in American politics. It is now "conservative" to be a desegregationist, and you are a blue haired liberal snowflake if you think whites should be entitled to white spaces.
We saw the same issue (both successful and unsuccessful) in the Church during the last two millennia, though protracted not between the generations of men, but of empires. Even as early as Paul's epistles, we see Judaizers appearing among the recent converts, preaching circumcision and the adoption of the Mosaic Law. We read in Justin Martyr's dialogue with Trypho of how the Jews in that time were attempting the define certain parts of scripture: as how Justin says in chapter LXII, "And that you may not change the [force of the] words just quoted, and repeat what your teachers assert..."
We see certain material things being established with the rise of Constantine. We see compromises and conversations with the adherents of Orthodoxy, the very name itself attempting the frame a certain narrative. As the ages passed new ideas were accepted and established into the Church, and these things lead to where we are now.
In the 16th century, the Lutherans framed a narrative, inflamed revolts against the Church all over Europe and the Church was inclined to defend its doctrine. This was the greatest mistake it had ever made. It became, in some parts, a reaction against a reaction. It allowed itself to be drawn into debate and instead of resolute steadfastness, there were compromises eventually made. By engaging in various philosophic debates they legitimized them, and backpedaling on some points of material administration, the masses perceived some fault in the Church. The infallible Church at once became something to be questioned.
Further down the line we see dispensationalism, liberation theory and such things slowly seep in. We see certain members of the Church question abortion, female participation, gayness. By attempting the justify their reaction against these things, the Church itself legitimizes them. The Church is drawn into "the frame" and the most visible discussion is held where Satan wants it to be. Satan accuses and the Church defends. This is always a losing strategy. While Satan takes action, his mortal enemies speak.
There are always many actors involved in creating this frame and it is not one sided. Four sides are involved in creating the frame. In American politics, we have the democrats, progressives, conservatives and republican conservatives. Each side works together in tangent to frame acceptable politics. The liberals create a position, the democrats support the position, the republicans legitimize the position and the conservatives entrench the position. This is evident when looking back on the issues of the past century, segregation for instance. The moment the conservatives largely accept any position, regardless of how vulgar it *once was*, it becomes a definitive part of Americanism.
Interestingly, the segregation debate has been renewed. However this time it is the vulgar and unAmerican progressives renewing it. Satan has built a frame, ensured that segregation lies far outside of it, yet now tempts the frame with his own version of the argument. "Black people need black spaces." This is done to evoke a reaction from white conservatives. Now it is white conservatives defending desegregation, the places have flipped 180 degrees and this is done for a specific reason. The establishment will not put up a meaningful fight against this rhetoric because they have no intention of actually segregating. It is done only to create confusion and restructure social alignments to certain issues. Again, whatever formerly progressive position the conservatives adopt will be utterly established in American politics. It is now "conservative" to be a desegregationist, and you are a blue haired liberal snowflake if you think whites should be entitled to white spaces.
We saw the same issue (both successful and unsuccessful) in the Church during the last two millennia, though protracted not between the generations of men, but of empires. Even as early as Paul's epistles, we see Judaizers appearing among the recent converts, preaching circumcision and the adoption of the Mosaic Law. We read in Justin Martyr's dialogue with Trypho of how the Jews in that time were attempting the define certain parts of scripture: as how Justin says in chapter LXII, "And that you may not change the [force of the] words just quoted, and repeat what your teachers assert..."
We see certain material things being established with the rise of Constantine. We see compromises and conversations with the adherents of Orthodoxy, the very name itself attempting the frame a certain narrative. As the ages passed new ideas were accepted and established into the Church, and these things lead to where we are now.
In the 16th century, the Lutherans framed a narrative, inflamed revolts against the Church all over Europe and the Church was inclined to defend its doctrine. This was the greatest mistake it had ever made. It became, in some parts, a reaction against a reaction. It allowed itself to be drawn into debate and instead of resolute steadfastness, there were compromises eventually made. By engaging in various philosophic debates they legitimized them, and backpedaling on some points of material administration, the masses perceived some fault in the Church. The infallible Church at once became something to be questioned.
Further down the line we see dispensationalism, liberation theory and such things slowly seep in. We see certain members of the Church question abortion, female participation, gayness. By attempting the justify their reaction against these things, the Church itself legitimizes them. The Church is drawn into "the frame" and the most visible discussion is held where Satan wants it to be. Satan accuses and the Church defends. This is always a losing strategy. While Satan takes action, his mortal enemies speak.