Deus Misereatur

[I'm very grateful for this article published by the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors  on 20 February 2025. Below is the beginning of the article. To read the rest follow the link at the bottom] Counseling the Conspiracy Theorist How does Scripture speak to the nature of conspiracy theories? Daniel Szczesniak There’s something about conspiracy theories that attracts us. The deep state, Russiagate, birther, Epstein, QAnon, and the New World Order are terms that have entered the public consciousness over the past few years. The grassy knoll, flat earth, chemtrails, and the moon landing have been popular subjects for years. There are endless debates about vaccines, voter fraud, the pandemic, and no doubt there will be many still to come about the recent Pennsylvania assassination attempt. Such theories capture our imagination while attempting to explain the inexplicable. In doing so, they provide structure to the chaos of the world around us. As Christians, we love to seek...

 They're persistent, and crop up in surprising places: at that family gathering, at the Bible study, in Christian books and videos, rally speeches, etc. I have my own history with them. From 1990 to around 1995, I was engaged with various conspiracy theories, even (for a short time) leading a chapter of fellow travelers who thought the Communists/Trilateral Commission/Council on Foreign Relations/etc. were The Conspirators. In that season I came into close contact with White Supremacists who thought the same and touted the idea that "The Jews" were behind it all. But since leaving that all behind, I have reflected often on what made the conspiracy theories so attractive, and still makes them attractive. I have five perceptions listed below: 1 - "Conspiracy" is an easy way to explain the baffling, confusing, unsettling troubles afflicting us, or our nation, or our tribe. "Conspiracy" gives us a simple, unifying answer to what is disturbing and disorient...