I just listened to an intriguing podcast about deep state, radical psychological warfare, secret societies, and mass manipulation that our society—indeed, the world—has been exposed to. It was an apologetic for a demonic Stepford Wives and Jason Bourne-type reality. Basically, it argues that things are not as they seem.

Now, I’m not saying I know he was wrong or that it was not intriguing, but there is a bit of a self-defeating nature to such worldviews. If the monsters of the world are so clandestine and sleeper-cellish, and I am being asked to accept this view of things, how would that not automatically disqualify the proponent of such views? In other words, if deception is so utterly deceptive, why wouldn’t I think you are the deceiver?

One way or another, this stuff is incredibly Gnostic and could very well be true, but I am under no obligation to believe it, as its very existence is the best argument for its non-existence.

I think I’ll just stick with my trust in God, knowing that there is a lot of stuff that I don’t know and many more bizarre things that are true—my apologetic for the mysteries and wonders of the universe—but I have no warrant to truly believe that your world is the real world. The world deceives, yes. But there are many in this world who trust in Christ, and many more who are in the image of God and have the values of God preinstalled. It’s not that hard to determine the truth. The only other alternative is that we end up like Caesar, asking “What is truth?” or going crazy with suspicion.

I don’t think God is in the heavens ruling yet pulling his hair out, kicking the dirt saying, “Why can’t all my people believe what’s really going on? I sure wish you would.”

“What has been believed always everywhere and by all” is a pretty good truth barometer for believers. I’ll stick with that while knowing there is more to the story that we don’t know.

With C. Michael Patton

Don’t get me wrong. I am without a doubt, a conspiracy theorist. Who couldn’t be with Satan in the world? I just don’t know what conspiracies are true and which ones are false. But I do know the solution. It is the simple Gospel of Christ. And I do know there is a conspiracy to keep people from it. I’ll listen to you, but cleave to that.

“Do not call conspiracy everything this people calls a conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭8‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭


C Michael Patton
C Michael Patton

C. Michael Patton is the primary contributor to the Parchment and Pen/Credo Blog. He has been in ministry for nearly twenty years as a pastor, author, speaker, and blogger. Find him on Patreon Th.M. Dallas Theological Seminary (2001), president of Credo House Ministries and Credo Courses, author of Now that I'm a Christian (Crossway, 2014) Increase My Faith (Credo House, 2011), and The Theology Program (Reclaiming the Mind Ministries, 2001-2006), host of Theology Unplugged, and primary blogger here at Parchment and Pen. But, most importantly, husband to a beautiful wife and father to four awesome children. Michael is available for speaking engagements. Join his Patreon and support his ministry