In a recent interview with Charisma News, Skillet frontman, John Cooper, both a musician and author, delved into the complexities of our ever-changing culture. Cooper’s insights, drawn from his experiences and observations, are captured in his upcoming book, “Wimpy, Weak, and Woke: How Truth Can Save America from Utopian Destruction.”
The conversation touched upon the challenges of addressing the cultural shifts and moral dilemmas facing society today. Cooper expressed concern about the prevailing ideologies influencing both the secular world and the church, leading to what he terms as being “wimpy, weak and woke.”
“I think we are to the place now where most people are like, ‘OK, things are getting pretty weird.’ …Most people see these things happening now and they’re just saying, ‘What is going on?’ and I wanted to write a book that encapsulated all of those things under the rubric of being wimpy, weak and woke,” Cooper explains.
“Wimpy” refers to a tendency to prioritize being winsome over telling the truth, especially within the Christian community. It takes strength to stand on the Word of God in an increasingly secular world. Cooper notes that the fear of offending others has led to a reluctance to discuss critical topics such as morality, sexuality and gender. The desire to win the favor of the world, according to Cooper, has compromised the steadfast proclamation of biblical truths.
In addressing the challenge of being “wimpy,” Cooper draws inspiration from the Bible, urging believers to stand strong in their faith. Proverbs 28:1 states, “The wicked flee when no man pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.” This verse underscores the importance of courageously proclaiming God’s truth even in the face of cultural opposition and cancellation
On the concept of being “weak,” Cooper emphasizes the importance of understanding the philosophical and theological foundations of our faith. He argues that a lack of familiarity with these foundations has weakened the Christian response to cultural challenges. Without a solid grasp of biblical principles, believers may unknowingly adopt secular worldviews that contradict the teachings of Christ.
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“We have become philosophically and theologically weak,” Cooper proclaims. “We do not know what has come before us. We do not understand political philosophy. We don’t understand worldview. And so we just start saying things that we don’t know are absolutely ridiculous, because we just don’t know the Bible.”
Cooper draws attention to Ephesians 6:10, which encourages believers to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. This verse serves as a reminder that true strength comes from a deep connection to God and a reliance on His Word.
The term ‘woke’ takes on a nuanced meaning in Cooper’s discussion. While acknowledging the biblical mandate to care for the poor and oppressed, he critiques the secular social justice movement, which he believes often centers around power dynamics rather than biblical justice.
“It creates an entire world, not based on biblical righteousness or biblical wickedness, but it creates a new world [based] on power and oppression. So it creates these new groups of oppressed people that’s not actually accurate to biblical justice.”
Cooper calls on Christians to be discerning, guided by biblical principles. Micah 6:8 provides a biblical framework for justice: “He has told you, O man, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
Cooper also discussed the rising trend of deconstruction within Christian circles, expressing concern that a lack of biblical understanding and an adherence to secular ideologies could lead believers down a path of deconstructing their faith. He emphasized the importance of knowing the Word of God and relying on it for answers.
John Cooper’s upcoming book aims to address the challenges of navigating a culture that seems increasingly disconnected from biblical truth. As believers confront the falsehoods of a society that is seeking to replace God, Cooper urges them to stand firm in their faith, grounded in the timeless truths of the Bible. The call is to be courageous, understanding that true peace and justice come from aligning with the cross of Jesus Christ rather than conforming to the ever-shifting tides of societal expectations. {eoa}
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James Lasher is Staff Writer for Charisma Media.
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