Last week in an interview with ABC News, Michael J. Fox reversed his long-time defense of embryonic stem cell research as the best solution to Parkinson’s disease.  He admitted freely that he now believes treatments other than stem cells will hold the answer to fighting Parkinson’s and other diseases.  In short, “the other avenues of research have grown and multiplied and become as much or more promising.  So, an answer may come from stem cell research, but it is more than likely to come from another area.”  This is a dramatic reversal for the activist who has been an outspoken advocate and a multi-million dollar fundraiser for stem cell research since his diagnosis with Parkinson’s in 1991.

His enduring support of stem cell research, says Mr. Fox, is as much about defending experimentation from being shut down “for ideological reasons” as it is finding the answer for diseases like Parkinson’s.  Widely quoted in 2009 for his support of “getting politics out of science,” it seems Mr. Fox still overlooks the irony that his own position is itself a highly political and ideological one.  He also seems to forget the inherent dangers of research without legitimate debate and ethical accountability.

Not only is political and ideological discourse acceptable in science, it is absolutely necessary!  How else but through God’s guidance would we know what is acceptable and what is off limits?  Since they serve the Creator of the universe, it is only natural for Christians to bring their views on right and wrong into everything they do, including science.  The idea that some areas of life are “religious” and others “secular” stems from the world’s desire to keep those of faith from having a voice in debates just like this one.  That there is constant conflict between the two is a myth.  To quote Abraham Kuyper, “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is sovereign over all, does not cry: ‘Mine!’”

Science is God’s realm, no matter what worldly wise men like Mr. Fox say.  Because of this truth, Christians can take bold and forthright positions, even when contradicting the latest “scientific” wisdom.  That’s why Concerned Women for America (CWA) had confidence to educate its members and lobby against embryonic stem cell research as early as 2000, even when many other conservative groups did not speak up.

It should come as no surprise that the scientific community is finally coming around to realize what many Christians have known by faith from the very beginning — violating the sanctity of any life through embryonic stem cell research is not the answer.  Though previously thought impossible by many scientists, it appears the Lord has indeed provided other ways to cure diseases like Parkinson’s that do not involve the destruction of life.

It should come as no surprise that President Obama is already gearing up to translate his official endorsement of “gay marriage” into support for his campaign for reelection.  The campaign announced Wednesday the launch of the “Obama Pride: LGBT Americans for Obama” initiative to raise publicity and funds for the president’s 2012 bid.  The campaign will promote events across the nation, including phone banks, information distribution, local activist meetings, and voter registration drives.

With the NAACP now officially endorsing the president on his position regarding “gay marriage,” the Obama campaign is seeking to leverage his advantage with the LGBT community and like-minded individuals in key battleground states.  Not surprisingly, California will be a major focus for “Obama Pride,” but Politico reports that pivotal states, such as Colorado, Michigan, Nevada, and Pennsylvania will also receive extensive attention.

The Web page for “Obama Pride” openly boasts about the president’s long record of supporting the homosexual agenda since he was elected, touting more than forty of the administration’s top “accomplishments” on this front over the last three years.  A prominently displayed quote from the president says it all: “The work that we’ve done with respect to the LGBT community I think is just profoundly American and is at the heart of who we are.”

Whether or not the president’s pro-LGBT policies genuinely resonate with the average American (there is ample evidence suggesting they don’t), it is clear the president thinks the entire nation ought to agree with him.  This peculiar reasoning has apparently proved to be enough of a mandate for the administration to charge ahead in favor of the LGBT agenda, regardless of the morality of such policies and the actual will of the American people.

What does it look like to live out a faith that could move a mountain?  Dr. A.R Bernard, a former Muslim who now pastors a church of over 30,000 members in New York City, demonstrates this on a daily basis. He states that faith was given as a tool and weapon to deal with the reality of our time. After hearing of the daily threat on his life because of his decision to convert from Islam to Christianity, I have taken his call for using faith as a weapon, or having aggressive faith, a step further. With my passion for looking at the present assault on Christianity and women from the Muslim nation, I have reached some conclusions.

As women in today’s society, we are being attacked from all sides, and it is imperative that we be aggressive in our faith. Ecclesiastes 3:8 tells us there is a season for peace and for war. With our families being destroyed, marriage being degraded, and our government on a path of entitlement and excess spending, we must see the present need — that of a united voice. We are under attack. As Americans we must see the threat to our nation and as Christians we must see the threat to our beliefs. Due to God and our country’s sole purpose, the Muslim nation assaults the very core of our founding. We are considered as “people of the book” or “infidels” and as such, in their view, we deserve total annihilation.

I, for one, refuse to be passive to a culture or religion that considers women second-class and allows men to abuse and oppress them.  Christian Americans should be informed on the Muslim nation and the effect it has on women.  It’s time to rise up.  It’s time we get aggressive.  It’s time we start to realize the season of war dawning upon us.  God gives His people revelation, He instructs us, and I for one will have an aggressive faith to answer the call — faith that is larger than a mustard seed!  I will be like the apostles, who defended their faith so aggressively, even when the Roman Empire threated them with death!  They still prevailed and walked forthrightly.

Aggressive reaction is woven into the very fibers of our Christian and American doctrine.  We need to be warriors, courageous and understanding this present season.  In Hebrews 11:33, we are told that faith is conquered, obtained, quenched, escaped, and made strong, just to name a few aggressive verbs listed!

But in defining what I mean by “aggressive faith,” let me add one more aggressive verb: “reach.” As Christians, we need to “reach into the Muslim culture.”  It is only by the grace of God that we’re not the ones wearing hijabs.  By learning more about the Muslim mindset — by understanding their culture and worldview — we can better know how to present them with the Gospel.  It’s been shown that Muslims answer best to an authoritative presence.  So heed the advice of the Apostle Paul, and be confident in the Gospel; be confident in His Spirit within you, and be the Christ follower God made you to be.  Be full of the Spirit; don’t be full of yourself (don’t be arrogantly foolish).  Remember, it is well-known that strict Muslims advocate killing and desecration, so we, as educated Christians, must be aware of this and, as Jude cautions, “save with fear, pulling them out of the fire.”

Nurture this aggressive faith by passionately seeking after God through prayer and action.  And notice the order: first and foremost, pray.  Secondly, take action by educating yourself and refusing to be passive.  We need to conquer through conviction, defend our morals, and lead by example.

America was founded on Biblical principles.  Our Founding Fathers built this country on aggressive thoughts and actions.  They went up against a tyrannical government to gain freedom of religion and speech, which would not have been obtained without an aggressive faith.

So rise up!  Heed the call!  Have an aggressive faith, and trust God to lead you.  Remember, as Americans, we don’t negotiate with terrorists, and as Christians, we do not negotiate with those who seek to destroy what God has set apart.  Our faith is a weapon!  Use it!