Trump’s Shocking ‘Truth Renaissance’ Could Change Everything
It feels like we’ve been unshackled from truly toxic lies and unexpectedly immersed in what can only be described as a “truth renaissance.”
America has undoubtedly been catapulted into a new era, moving at warp speed past vociferous and hate-fueled lies, incessant threats of cancellation and near-constant assaults on free speech. Suddenly, we’re navigating newfound and surprising terrain.
The oppressive elements of an unforgiving society — characterized by an insatiable desire to force bizarre rules on women’s locker rooms, efforts to defund the police, diabolical hindrances to faith and crackdowns on free expression — have seemingly evaporated.
Somehow, it feels like we’ve been unshackled from truly toxic lies and unexpectedly immersed in what can only be described as a “truth renaissance.”
The biggest irony, of course, is that President Donald Trump, a man whom critics have described as a habitual liar and bombastic fibber, is somehow leading the charge on restoring sanity in various legal quarters.
From gender madness to the defense of faith, the president is one of the most unlikely forces to right some of these wrongs, addressing the most pervasive issues conservatives and Christians have long lamented.
Mr. Trump, of course, is simply the figurehead — a leader who realizes the populace is exhausted from having to tippy-toe for years around mounds of broken glass to simply survive the societal chaos fostered and created by progressive mantras.
In some ways, this trajectory is unsurprising. A culture propped up on lies can stand for only so long before the falsehoods erode its foundations and bring it all crumbling down into a pile of indiscernible rubble.
A snowball heading down a hill only gains momentum and size before its inevitable crash. On the flip side, sometimes there’s a reprieve on the descent, with the increased velocity stemmed by inexplicable forces — a bump on the hill, or a sudden and unexpected leveling of the decline.
And that’s where America finds herself today.
Mr. Trump’s reemergence is, in itself, evidence of the exhaustion millions of Americans felt trying to keep up with the cultural lies. Humans can pretend for only so long before desperately seeking solace in truth. Lies can entrap people only until the truth breaks through.
As common sense eroded and progressive ideology forced people to flee among other guttural reactions, an unrestrained thirst for reality has begun to reign in almost every quarter.
One of the most compelling corroborative pieces of evidence is that young people in America — a generation force-fed the lie that they can ostensibly be their own “god” and determine their own set of truths and realities — are overwhelmingly open to hearing about spiritual reality.
According to Barna, a faith-based research firm, the majority of American teens (77%) are at least somewhat interested and motivated to “continue learning about Jesus throughout the rest of their lives.”
Remarkably, 52% said they are “very” interested and an additional 25% said “somewhat,” with just 16% uninterested or unmotivated. It’s a finding Barna characterized as “encouraging news,” especially amid a hyper-material culture that has attempted to undercut belief in God.
“Research also points to an openness and curiosity about spiritual matters among today’s teens and young adults,” Barna explained. “This generation tends to believe there’s something out there more powerful than them.”
Even in the U.K., where religion has become even more eroded than in America, there are positive moves on the faith front. A massive poll of young people found that “members of Gen Z in their teens and 20s are much less likely to identify as atheists than their middle-aged parents in Generation X or their Baby Boomer grandparents,” according to The Times in England.
The results left author Christopher Gasson pondering whether God is “making a comeback” across the pond.
With faith remaining the most essential of all ingredients for human flourishing, these statistics and proclamations aren’t just stunning — they also point to a massive opportunity to reach young people with timeless truths that will inspire their hearts and help them find true fulfillment.
The abuse of truth and abandonment of sanity in culture has wreaked havoc upon individuals and families, but the realization that the lies have been so pervasive is opening up powerful doors that could lead people deeper into faith. And that’s something to celebrate.
To clarify: None of this is to say that Mr. Trump is a savior of sorts. Instead, he’s delivering a mandate to the people, recognizing the shift in tone and priorities. Whether it’s a long-term change or fleeting remains to be seen.
But one thing is for certain: there’s an openness right now to Christianity and truth more generally that mustn’t be overlooked. Now is the time to seek those who recognize something is amiss and reach them with common sense, love — and a dose of biblical reality.
Truly changing the culture long-term requires winning over individual hearts and minds. Are we up for the challenge?