TEXARKANA, Texas - Political speaker and American history lecturer David Barton took to the stage Tuesday night at Church on the Rock to address a robust crowd. Barton, founder of WallBuilders, a national pro-family organization that "presents America's forgotten history and heroes, with an emphasis on our moral, religious and Constitutional heritage."
One of Barton's central theses is Christians here are intimidated into inaction due to a seemingly dominant culture, magnified by oppositions voices in control of media, academia and the like.
"Do not back down from the culture, do not back up," he said. "Do not self censor, nor back away. Civil disobedience, rebellion against tyrants is to be obedient to God. Obey government only as government is obedient to God."
Barton's organization spends time and energy monitoring operations, figures and legislation circulating in the government halls of power.
"Traditional marriage, pro-life stances, the Constitution as written, standing up for any and all of that risks you getting yourself fact checked, deplatformed and more," said Barton. "You don't see them doing that to Antifa and like organizations. So you are tempted to self censor, worried about losing social media access and that to your friends. We are allowing social media to define us."
He pointed out that not only was this unwise, but was unnecessary.
""The full influence, full effect of America's Great Revivals took place over years, decades, generations," he said. "I believe we are in the midst of one right now, whose effect is just starting to be felt."
He advised that Christians should stop looking at things nationally.
"Look to the local. The American Revolution was not won just by the activities of George Washington and the Framers," Barton said. "Local towns, church congregations, exchanged gunfire with the British troops. At first, it did not go well. But it did get better. Clergymen led some of these battles as armed citizens took the fight to the British. Get your eyes off national focus, look to the local. Take on local issues. Win places on city councils and school boards. Win the local, you will win the national fight."
He also commented on the idea that "bigger is better."
"From corporations to churches to education to government and even the church, the perception that bigger means better must end," he said. "Thinking in crowds takes the eye, and the responsibility, off the individual. But that's not where you change a culture. You do that individually. That's where Christ saves us and that's where change happens."
(Wallbuilders can be found online at wallbuilders.com)