WHEN IDEOLOGIES ATTACK: A PROPHETIC WAKE-UP CALL
In 2021, while recovering from the chaos of the pandemic year, I had a prophetic dream.
I found myself in a jungle. At its center was a large, beautiful patiO, something like a wedding reception,held up by four columns, covered in curtains and vines. Surrounding this festive scene was a dense, untamed jungle. Monkeys swung from trees, antelope sprinted by, and elephants and giraffes roamed past. Then I noticed a bassinet tucked in the corner of the patio. Inside was a joyful and alert baby, innocent and vulnerable. Suddenly, a tiger leapt onto the patio, seized the child in its jaws, and began to carry it off into the wild. Shocked, I froze. But the Holy Spirit said, “Don’t just stand there—use your authority and rescue that child!” I shouted at the tiger to release the baby. It stopped, looked at me, dropped the child, and fled. I ran, picked up the baby, and brought it back to safety.
THE INTERPRETATION
For weeks I prayed for clarity on the meaning of this dream. Here’s the insight the Holy Spirit gave me:
The jungle represents the chaotic world—especially the instability we saw in 2020 and beyond.
The baby represents what God is birthing: the Church, His people, and their Kingdom purpose. These are those who are innocent and need pastoral protection.
The tiger represents worldly ideologies and the “world-systems” that seek to devour and distort what God is doing, and to destroy any and all who are vulnerable.
Through the dream, God was saying to me: Don’t just observe. Don’t be paralyzed by the chaos during this crazy pandemic year. Rise up in prayer and with your apostolic gifting. Speak with authority. Protect what God is birthing. Rescue the baby from the potential destruction ahead.
To apply the warning from this prophetic dream, I needed to get understanding from God: What are the tigers? What are the worldly ideologies and world systems that are so dangerous? These tigers must be identified, resisted, and rebuked!
WHAT ARE THE TIGERS?
In this post, I want to identify key ideologies that have crept into our thinking, often replacing or diluting the power of the gospel. This syncretism (the blending of Christianity with worldly ideologies) has become more and more dangerous to the health and well-being of the church. These worldly ideologies aren’t merely alternative perspectives—they’re competing gospels!
1. NATIONALISM
Definition: The belief that national identity and loyalty should be central, often elevating one's country above all others, even above Kingdom allegiance. This is especially a problem when we believe that God’s chosen people are a literal nation on earth, rather than the church of Jesus Christ.
Why nationalism is not the gospel: While patriotism can be good, nationalism makes an idol out of America (or any other country). It unintentionally replaces Jesus’ vision for the coming of the Kingdom of God and the working of the person of Jesus through His body, which is His church. The Church of Jesus Christ is made up of people from every generation, nation, language, ethnicity, and cultural background.
"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ." Philippians 3:20
2. GLOBALISM
Definition: The belief that the world should operate as one political, economic, and social unit, often promoting a borderless society and human-centered utopia.
Why globalism is not the gospel: Utopian visions without Christ ignore the root problem of sin. Only Jesus brings lasting peace. The vision of Jesus Christ is that His Kingdom would come on earth, but it is not expressed through the removal of national boundaries, national interests, and shared progressive values. The Kingdom of God is about the leadership and rulership of Jesus in the hearts of men and women.
"My kingdom is not of this world." John 18:36
3. MARXISM / LIBERATION THEOLOGY
Definition: A worldview that sees history as a struggle between oppressor and oppressed, calling for the dismantling of systems to bring equity, and is sometimes blended into theology. This is the most significant political movement of the last decade in western culture. But this approach to Marxism is not a battle between rich and poor, as much as it is a battle between the marginalized and the powerful.
Why Marxism/Liberation Theology is not the gospel: Nothing about the approach of the New Testament followers of Jesus resembles the Marxist methodology of “divide and conquer.” The gospel reconciles all people through Christ, not by creating enemies of one another based on power dynamics. In the New Testament, we see a value in the beauty and diversity of biological sex, ethnicity, history, and experience; there is no division based on these social categories. Through Christ we see those who were previously oppressed or oppressive becoming one family, whose primary identity is that we are new creations in Christ and belong to Him.
"There is neither Jew nor Greek... slave nor free... for you are all ONE in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:28
4. CAPITALISM or SOCIALISM
Definition: These are two competing economic systems: one prioritizes free markets and private ownership; the other emphasizes state control and wealth redistribution. There is nothing inherently wrong or right, according to the scripture, with these economic systems. They have their pros and cons. But economic systems were never the concern of Jesus nor was it the priority of the New Testament church.
Why neither capitalism nor socialism is the gospel: Jesus did not promote an economic model. The gospel transforms people, who then impact systems. A case could be made that western societies, which have been most influenced by a Christian worldview, have produced the greatest economic movement in the history of the world, which is capitalism. Yet, we could also make the case that the economics of capitalism have also created some of the harshest practices and greatest inequalities. Either way, Jesus did not come preaching economic strategies. He came preaching love and service.
"You cannot serve both God and money." Matthew 6:24
5. FEMINISM (Modern, Secular)
Definition: A movement that began for women's equality but has shifted into often adversarial gender politics and a redefinition of roles.
Why feminism is not the gospel: The gospel lifts and empowers women, not by opposing men or redefining roles, but through calling for unity in Christ. The New Testament presents a vision for female leadership, female influence, and the elevation of women in every aspect of life, but not by political power dynamics nor tribalism. It’s not achieved through threats and lawsuits. The working of the Holy Spirit within the life of the believer, not only elevates every woman who experiences His work, it changes the heart and perspective of every person (man or woman) who is willing to see things through God’s lenses.
“Your sons and daughters will prophesy." Acts 2:17
6. CRITICAL THEORY
Definition:Originating from the Frankfurt School, this ideology seeks to deconstruct social norms and institutions, often seeking to redefine truth through lenses of power and identity. This movement works to create a dynamic of social chaos by redefining and questioning the meanings of words and social norms, in order to redefine and reform society into a new progressive way of life.
Why it’s not the gospel: Critical theory does the opposite of the gospel. The gospel leads people to truth, and teaches Biblical and biological definitions and roles. Jesus taught that truth isn’t socially constructed—it’s revealed through God’s Word. When you encounter truth, you encounter freedom. Critical theory leads to chaos that only produces lasting confusion, increasing strongholds, and continual upheaval and division. Jesus teaches that if our feet are planted on his teaching, we are building our lives on the rock. If not, we are built on shifting sand that and our lives cannot withstand the storms and struggles of life.
"I am the way, the truth, and the life.” John 14:6
7. INDIVIDUALISM & SELF-EXPRESSION
Definition: The dominant belief of our current popular culture is that personal identity, feelings, and fulfillment are ultimate. “Be true to yourself” becomes the highest moral good. It teaches that finding yourself and expressing yourself is the key to personal flourishing.
Why critical theory is not the gospel: The gospel calls us to deny ourselves and follow Jesus. He teaches that the key to fulfillment of His call is to die to ourselves, and have His resurrection life flowing through us. The key to life for a follower of Jesus is discovering Him, and living in vibrant relationship and partnership with Him.
"Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23
THE GOSPEL ALONE SAVES
In my previous blog post, I share about the glory and power of the gospel. None of these ideologies that I listed can do what the gospel can do:
Rescue sinners
Reconcile enemies
Transform hearts
Heal brokenness
Build the Church
Each of the other systems attempts to fix the world through human wisdom, but only Christ offers a solution rooted in truth, power, and eternal hope. Actually, all of these other ideologies are, at best, flawed substitutes for the message of Christ, and at worst, seductive idolatries that will lead God’s people away from Jesus. I echo Paul’s conviction: “I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:2
As for me, a pastor in 2025, the tigers must be exposed, rebuked and restrained in Jesus’ name!