Today marks a significant moment for the United States with the inauguration of Joseph R. Biden as President of the United States. Normally, such an event would carry the full grandeur of the pomp and circumstance wholly appropriate to the gravity of the situation. But today was a scene of historical firsts. I’m of course thinking about the complete security lockdown of the inauguration area in advanced preparation for the possibility, however likely or unlikely, of unrest similar to what was observed two weeks ago in the Capitol building. But more than anything, I’m thinking of the absence of the outgoing president who traditionally has been present at such an important occasion as part of the transfer of political and executive power.

In reality, President Trump’s absence at today’s inauguration and the intense security precautions in place is a visual reminder of the significance of what happened today. America has a new president, a president who will lead a nation that is increasingly more divided and politically volatile. More than that, this new president represents a massively different political and moral trajectory from that of the previous administration, and the full implications of this shift in executive leadership (not to mention legislative power) is as yet to be fully comprehended. Make no mistake, what occurred today was a transition in leadership that is as much ideological as it is political. The progressive ideology represented by this new administration is what Rob Dreher calls “the Myth of Progress,” the foundational modern belief that “the present is better than the past, and that the future will inevitably be better than the present” (Rob Dreher, Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents, 48).

Now, on the surface, Christians can affirm the truth that the future will be better than the past and the present, but we carefully locate the realization of that truth with the coming of Jesus Christ to establish his earthly kingdom, and we recognize that the means by which that happens is not through human accomplishment. The Bible unequivocally narrates the trajectory of human history leading up to the advent of the resurrected Christ as progressively worsening, not getting better:

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

This, of course, is not what is meant by “progress” according to the modern ideology. The progress touted here is firmly steeped in early 20th century Marxist doctrine and operates under the pseudo-religious belief that humanity is inexorably and inevitably moving toward progress. As Dreher articulated it, “The Grand March is the splendid march on the road to brotherhood, equality, justice, happiness; it goes on and on, obstacles notwithstanding, for obstacles there must be if the march is the be the Grand March” (Dreher, 48-9). What are the “obstacles” which stand in the way of this Grand March to progress? It is you and I. It is Christ and his church. It is the accountability of a worldview based in objective truth, that defines sexuality outside of self, that values and demands respect for the nobility and necessity of the family, and that refutes the notion of autonomous self-actualization. This is the obstacle of modern progress. Dreher writes,

“Belief that one’s circumstances can be improved by collective human effort, though, is a powerful political motivator…. To believe that poverty, sickness, and oppression are not destined to be one’s fate was a revolutionary concept in human history. It gave people whose ancestors had scarcely known anything but want and suffering hope for the future. Marx likened religion to a drug because it blunted the pain of life for the masses, and in his view, took away from them the consciousness that they had the power to overturn the social order that immiserated them…. Marx and his fellow radicals promised that radical politics, harnessing the power of science and technology, really could establish heaven on earth. They were atheists who believed that man could become like a god.” (Dreher, 53-4).

Then, Dreher gets to the heart of why Christianity is such a massive obstacle to modern progressive ideology. Ultimately, he identifies it for what it is as a giant statue of postmodern idolatry and human hubris, rivaling the efforts of the builders of the Tower of Babel and the giant statue of Nebuchadnezzar. Dreher writes,

Progressivism in all its forms appeals to the same desire in intelligent young people today–both secular and those within the churches who are alienated from authoritative ecclesial traditions. This is why Christians today must understand that, fundamentally, they aren’t resisting a different politics but rather what is effectively a rival religion.” (Dreher, 54).

Thoughtful Christians today would be wise to pay attention to Dreher’s words. If Christianity stands opposed to the utopian vision of modern progressivism, then one can only expect the pressure to continue to rise against Christians as progressivism takes a firmer and firmer hold within the culture and the political establishment. “Social justice cultists,” Dreher writes, “are utopians who believe that the ideal of Progress requires smashing all the old forms for the sake of liberating humanity. Unlike their Bolshevik predecessors, they don’t want to seize the means of economic production but rather the means of cultural production. They believe that after humanity is freed from the chains that bind us–whiteness, patriarchy, marriage, the gender binary, and so on–we will experience a radically new and improved form of life” (Dreher, 43).

As we look around at today’s cultural temperature, visualized vividly by the historic strangeness of today’s inauguration ceremony, we can see the fruit of two opposing worldviews coming head to head. And make no mistake, the worldview of progressivism is diametrically opposed to that of Christianity. Strangely enough, the latter worldview isn’t fully compatible with the conservatism of today’s political climate either, but that’s a discussion for another time. But the stark contrast between Christianity and cultural/political leftism must not only be recognized by Christians but also responded to.

Which brings us back to today’s events. I have no idea what lays in the future for the country under the new Biden administration. The same checks and balances of political power and protections afforded individuals under the nation’s constitution stave off the full weight of progressive coercion that might be present if they hadn’t been there. But ultimately, Christians can’t afford to take solace under the comfort that they are protected by the U.S. Constitution. That kind of comfort is fleeting. What’s more, it runs contrary to the expectations we’re given from Scripture itself: “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and imposters will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Tim 3:12-14). That is the reality of what the future holds. But Paul continues by instructing Timothy to firmly ground himself in the truth:

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:14-16)

That’s an important word for us today. It is ultimately the truth that stands in the way of “progress,” and as such it is the truth that is under assault by the rival religion of progressivism. The church, as the pillar and support of the truth (1 Tim 3:15), must continue to stand firm and uphold it. The real progress of history will prove out just as Paul told Timothy it would: “The time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths” (2 Tim 4:3-4). Once again, Paul’s caution is the same: “As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” (2 Tim 4:5). Pay attention. Be strong. Work hard. Stay on mission.

And even as we consider these warnings in light of the unknowns of today’s inauguration, we must also remember that the inauguration of Jo Biden as the 46th president of the United States calls us to fulfill our responsibility before God to pray for him as the leader of our nation:

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Tim 2:1-4)

This is a sobering call, because it requires us to humble ourselves before the Savior of our souls. If there is, as the next verse states, “one God” and “one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,” then we face the humbling reality that the God who saved us through the shed blood and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the same God who desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth…even those who pose a potential threat to liberty and livelihood. Does Jo Biden fulfill that threat? Well, that remains to be seen what his administration and political agendas mean for liberty and truth over the next four years, and I have hopes that there will be a restraining influence at work in this nation. But Christians bear the selfless responsibility as God’s royal priesthood (1 Pet 2:9) to make intercession before God particularly for “all who are in high positions.” We do it because we share the same heart desire with God that “all people be saved.” We also share the desire that through the wise and just rule of individual kings and rulers, the church may have the unimpeded opportunity to fulfill its mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ. That mission doesn’t stop when political rule is harsh and unjust. But it does face obstacles.

My prayer for Jo Biden as the newest President of the United States of America, is that God would soften his heart to the truth. I pray that God would give him wisdom to lead prudently. I pray that he would be sensitive to the needs of people, not only materially but even more, spiritually and as such not put impediments in the way for gospel work. I pray that God would place in Jo Biden’s life those who would stand for the truth of Jesus Christ and boldly speak that truth. I pray that Jo Biden would have an ear to hear that truth. And I pray that God would bless the United States of America, not in a shallow, nostalgic way, but true spiritual blessing that comes with an awakening of hearts to the gospel.