The first time I heard someone use the term Bizarro World, I had to ask what that meant. Looking around me over the past few years, I think we are living deeply in that very place.
The Bible warned us.
"I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn't lose any voters." (Candidate Donald Trump during his presidential campaign in 2016 at a rally in Iowa) source
He didn't shoot anyone but he went on to behave like a rude and insolent spoiled brat and... he was right about not losing any voters. (Don't forget that he once stood at a podium in front of cameras and mocked a disabled person.) Many people continue to idolize this man and support him in his prideful foolishness - including many Christians or other people of faith. Some people literally idolize him. Sadly, he continues to behave badly.
Trump is not the only one who was (is) hero-worshipped. I saw the same thing up close with Obama in 2008 and Hillary Clinton in 2016. I had friends of all races, faiths, and socioeconomic statuses acting as if Obama was the real Neo. During Clinton's run against Trump, I knew people who needed medication when she lost to him. (To my shame, I was a bit on board the first time Obama ran.)
When I was scanning the news at The Christian Post, I saw this headline: Historic Presbyterian church in San Franciso hosts all-ages 'Drag Queen Bible Story Hour'
That hurt but after I read the attached mention of "(The) Church's Facebook page: "For the gift of Drag Queens, O God, we give you thanks!” I didn't have the emotional energy to read the article.
While it's painful to watch the world accept "alternate facts" and tout having "their own truth" it's worse to watch it happen among people who call themselves Christian.
I was watching a popular crime series a couple of weeks ago The show follows real police as they try to solve crimes. In one episode featuring a truly senseless murder of some young people, one of the detectives explained why "senseless" murder has become so common among young people. His theory (I paraphrase) is that people don't mind dying if they don't feel tomorrow is worth living for.
Bizarro world.
Whenever I bring up in conversation how horrible the world is becoming, I'm usually told that the world isn't worse, the news is just better spread. That may be true but it's also true that the bad news is more accepted.
When is the last time you were shocked at hearing a news story about a school shooting or a high-speed police chase or a child killing their parents? I'm no longer shocked when someone tells me that they have had multiple sex partners or have gotten an abortion or have had an STD. I'm not shocked and they are not embarrassed.
We need to stop letting jargon dictate our behavior. People who are saving their virginity for marriage are called "prudes" or "repressed". The same thing goes for singles who are no longer married and are abstaining. Young people who don't practice all the YOLO behavior of their peers are looked at as being weird or somehow stunted.
Trying to live a Christian life is seen as odd. I'm fine with that - as a mature woman. It's the young people I worry about. They face more pressure today than ever and have less stable role models to guide them. They need to remember what Jesus told his apostles about being hated for his name's sake.
We need ministers and teachers in the faith who are Bible-led. We need a world that is not Bizarro.
Of course, none of the bells can be unrung. Those of us who are redeemed have to stand strong. We have to share our testimonies. We have to encourage one another. We have to stay cloaked in prayer. Hopefully, it won't be long before the war is done.
Finally, I truly believe that one of the reasons we Christians get caught in the traps of Bizzaro World ministers and teachers is that we don't follow the command to be discerning. God's Word instructs us, again and again, to test and verify what men tell us:
Acts 17:11: "Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so." This passage highlights the Berean Jews' practice of carefully studying the Scriptures to verify the teachings they received.
1 Thessalonians 5:21: "Test everything; hold fast what is good." This verse encourages believers to examine and evaluate all things, including teachings and prophecies, and to hold onto what is true and beneficial.
1 John 4:1: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world." Here, believers are urged to test and evaluate spiritual teachings and messages to discern whether they align with the truth of God.
Matthew 7:15-16: "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits." This verse emphasizes the importance of examining the character and actions of those who claim to speak for God.
By the way, throughout the Learn the Buble in 24 Hours series, Chuck Missler frequently reminds students of Acts 17:11, saying "Don't take my word for it!" Try to remember that as you sit in a pulpit or under the teaching of anyone.
Peace
--Free
P.S. I took the screenshots from ESV.org where you can read the Bible online. And here are some of the YouTube channels that I have found helpful:
