Erwin Lutzer is deeply concerned that a new America is emerging due to the influence of cultural Marxism and Social Justice movements (pp. 21-25, 74, 80, 179, 182). The bulk of this book details and documents this concern found in every area of society including education, politics, and historic revision. Under attack by ideological Marxist progressives is everything in our culture from freedom of speech to morals to capitalism. In particular, Christianity is hated and vilified (chapter nine) while Islam is exonerated (chapter eight). Logically it is incongruent that progressives look the other way when it comes to a religion that oppresses women, stifles most freedoms, and executes homosexuals. Yet because radical Islam despises capitalism and seeks to tear down American society (p. 207) and rebuild it according to its own template, progressives and Islam have united around a common threat.
Lutzer believes socialism ultimately leads to widespread misery (p. 77) and the welfare state keeps many, especially black Americans, as a permanent underclass, dependent upon the government (p. 89). The strategy of the radical left is to create a problem, then create a government agency to respond to it (p. 160). The issue with socialism is that, while it is great at redistributing wealth, it has no way to create it (pp. 187, 198). Lutzer quotes Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that sooner or later you run out of other people’s money” (p. 189).
As the title suggests, Lutzer is not content with exposing the many enemies facing America and Christianity. His purpose is not to take America back but to reclaim the church (pp. 36-37). Lutzer writes, “I want to inspire the church to courageously stand against the pressures of our culture that seek to compromise our message and silence our witness…I write this book for anyone who has a burden to ‘strengthen what remains’” (pp. 36-37). Each chapter, as it concludes, reflects upon this purpose, and the final chapter is dedicated to strengthening the church and the people of God.
We Will Not Be Silenced is an important book for God’s people in a time of mass confusion. It is a reminder that the church does not need Americanism or freedom of speech (pp. 121-124) to fulfill its mandate. Whatever comes our way, Christians must be willing to step up and speak out the truth that God has given in His Word. This is not a time to become mute and cower in fear of the Woke mob. It is a time to proclaim eternal truth, even if the believer is despised when he does so (p. 141). After all, “In a time of universal deception, telling the truth is a revolutionary act” (p. 38).
We Will Not Be Silenced by Erwin W. Lutzer (Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House, 2020) 280 pp., paper $17.99
Reviewed by Gary E. Gilley, Pastor/teacher at Southern View Chapel.