The children of ideology lie as easily as their master, who is the father of lies. Using scare quotes after burning down the first floor of the Martin Luther King building at Bezerkly is justified. No, this is not satire.

The key question now remains: Was the “violence” Wednesday night justified? I am of the opinion that it was the plurality of tactics employed Wednesday evening that contributed to the success of the cancellation of the talk. I merely wish to offer some thoughts in hope of reframing the dominant narrative. I urge you to consider whether damaging the windows of places like banks and the Amazon student store constitutes “violence” — and, if so, what weight this “violence” carries in the context of the symbolic, structural and actual violence that is proposed, condoned and actioned by the likes of Milo Yiannopoulos and his supporters.

It is not a good season for teaching. Or research. Or living with chastity. (Well, the later is more common, driven by fear of the police after a woman ragequits and then calls you abusive or sexist: the two are interchangeable).

It does not matter. Our job is to proclaim Christ, in times when it is easy and in times when it is difficult. To support the student ministries just as we support ministries to the Islamic countries, for all pagans deserve to have the gospel proclaimed to them. And to live rightly. Regardless of fashion, and regardless of violence.

For truth needs no defence.

And the enemy uses his boot to enforce his lies.

2 Timothy 4:1-8

¹In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: ²proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. ³For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, ⁴and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. ⁵As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.

⁶As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. ⁷I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

There is another issue. Within the church there are those who will preach anything but the gospel. As if any other truth can save us. Such people will always have a platform, for if you do not preach the truth you support the father of lies.

And from such we need to come. They are part of the narrative. Do not be them. Do not be like them.