Today, I came across the following meme:

And it got me thinking. Before expounding on my thoughts as to whether or not conspiracy theories are a good thing and whether it is right for Evangelicals (my tribe) to entertain them, I want to first take issue with the premise that Evangelicals are pecking away at them and those outside that camp aren’t. The reason is: some Evangelicals are quick to distance themselves from conspiracy theories and some non-Evangelicals are the first to embrace them, including the more way out (less credible) theories. I have sadly noted people at either extreme of the conspiracy fact fiction continuum, each annoyed at the other and, as I have noted in other writings, this has given rise to disunity in the church. It got me thinking about another meme more aimed at conspiracy deniers.  

Those that go along with the official narrative, who accept what mainstream and social media, politicians, “experts” of various sorts and societal leaders tell them, rejecting that which challenges such a narrative and often bracketing the rationale of the detractors with conspiracy theory, are arguably ostriches burying their head in the sand, and worse when they come to ridicule, side line those gullible misguided persons believing in conspiracy theories to satisfy some sort of ego trip. It should be said that often the reaction to this is often not particularly gracious. What we see now is one of the latest examples of issues that divides Evangelicals and, if one were a conspiracy theorist, a good example of the divide and rule strategy plotted by the global elite to dumb down and enslave the population so they can hang on to power, to hand over to their master, Satan.  

Tempted as I am to review the top trending conspiracy theories at this time and score them according to credibility, that is not the point of my post. Like a rewinding gramophone record, my main points include: some (maybe many) conspiracy theories are also conspiracy facts and often no-one knows enough to say what is fact and what is fiction. Sometimes, and often missed when keen to win any argument is when people fall out as a result. Sometimes it may be better to lose the argument rather than add fuel to the fire. Sometimes it is better to let a thing be than to lose our peace. What cannot be denied is conspiracies have been a fact of life that is later verified, for time immemorial, often made with malicious intent.

Checking out conspiracy theories can take over our lives (as there is so much to check out) and destroy friendships and it may be better to take note of and concentrate on those things we can change rather than speculate on things we can do little about. But given those groups mentioned in the previous paragraph that influence public opinion LIE a lot, it is even more imperative to question everything and to seek out truth, which sets humankind free. But like most issues facing us, we should be more concerned with what God thinks, mindful godly people often see things a lot differently.

I believe God does not want us to be ignorant. It is true people of God have long lived their lives not knowing what was going on behind the scenes, nor were expected to know, but we are also called to both WATCH (what is going on around us) and PRAY (Thy will be done etc.). We are called to be good stewards of planet earth and specifically that which God has entrusted to us. We are called to do the right thing and, to guide others so they can also do the right thing and, given some of the conspiracy theories often touch on these practical aspects, these cannot be discounted or dismissed.

Which brings me to my last point. I do not believe God wants us to be confused, which is why He sent us His Holy Spirit and has given us His Word (the Bible) and the promise He will hear us when we pray in faith, including giving guidance. Going back to my first meme, the question is begged concerning the divide in the “evangelical camp” over issues that relate to conspiracy theories by those who take the Holy Spirit, the Bible and prayer seriously. I don’t purport to have the perfect solution much beyond St. Augustine’s sage counsel. And if I can make a plug, which I considered in my Prophets of the Bible book, and intend to develop further, and that is for the people of God to be a prophetic voice (often missing) and to listen to rather than ignore (or worse) the voice of the prophet, including today’s true prophets. I end with a quote from one of them, suggesting where the balance may lie …