When engaging in discussions about cultural battles, morality, and Christian conduct, the topic of methodology often takes center stage. This was highlighted in a recent response by Matt Walsh to criticism surrounding his latest documentary, Am I Racist. Three Christian figures, including Phil Vischer, the creator of VeggieTales, raised ethical concerns regarding Walsh’s use of deceptive techniques—posing as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) expert to expose real DEI professionals through satire and trickery. Walsh, in his response, passionately defended his tactics as necessary tools in what he called the “culture war,” claiming that Christians must adopt these methods to effectively “fight back” against an increasingly hostile society.
But here’s the core question that this debate raises: should Christians resort to manipulation and deception as weapons to achieve good, especially when the goal is to uphold truth? For many believers, myself included, the answer seems clear. No, Christians should not adopt the ways of sinners to achieve godly goals. This stance is rooted in biblical principles that promote truthfulness, integrity, and trust in God’s power over human cunning. In the following analysis, I’ll explore Walsh’s argument, juxtapose it with Scripture, and explain why I believe that manipulation, even with good intentions, is incompatible with Christian ethics.
“VeggieTales Creator Has A Huge Problem With My Film. Here’s My Response” – Full Video from Matt Walsh
The Core of Walsh’s Argument
Walsh’s defense of his tactics revolves around one primary idea: using the methods of the left, including satire and subterfuge, is necessary for Christians to effectively push back in today’s cultural battles. In his response to Vischer and the other critics, Walsh states, “Comedy, satire, using the left’s own methods against them… that is without question something we need more of”. For Walsh, this kind of approach is not only justified but essential, especially when fighting against what he views as an aggressive, secular ideology bent on dismantling Christian values.
According to Walsh, those who critique his methods, especially Christians like Vischer, are either naive or passive, failing to understand the gravity of the situation. He claims that these Christian leaders do not comprehend what it takes to make an impact in modern culture, accusing them of ineffectiveness and retreating into what he calls a “woke pseudo-Christian bubble”. Walsh goes so far as to issue a challenge to these critics: “Go out and create something—anything—that makes a noticeable and positive cultural impact”. For him, the methods used in his documentary are not just entertainment—they are tools in a larger, more significant fight for the soul of society.
The Biblical Perspective on Deception
As passionate as Walsh may be in defending his approach, his argument stands in stark contrast to the biblical view of truth and integrity. One of the clearest teachings from Scripture is that lying, deception, and manipulation are condemned, regardless of the circumstances or intended outcomes.
Consider Proverbs 12:22, which states, “Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight.” Here, the Bible unequivocally calls out deception as something detestable in the sight of God. The concept is not nuanced or contingent on context—it is a general condemnation of falsehood.
Additionally, the apostle Paul’s exhortation to the believers in Ephesus reinforces this principle: “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another” (Ephesians 4:25). Christians are called to a higher standard of communication, reflecting the character of God, who is truth itself (John 14:6). If our goal is to advance God’s kingdom on earth, how can we possibly justify using methods that contradict His nature?
Walsh’s approach, which includes lying and deceit to expose opponents, aligns more with the world’s way of doing things than with the divine calling placed on believers. Romans 12:17-21 reminds Christians not to repay evil for evil but to “overcome evil with good.” This principle of responding to opposition with integrity, love, and truth is central to Christian ethics. The idea that the ends justify the means—lying to advance a “righteous” cause—goes against the grain of biblical teaching.
The Sermon on the Mount and the Culture War
One of the most striking moments in the debate between Walsh and his critics occurs when one of the commentators states, “You cannot follow the Sermon on the Mount and engage in a culture war.” Walsh takes great offense to this remark, calling it a prime example of the “effeminate, castrated form of Christianity” that has invaded the Church. He interprets the Sermon on the Mount as a call to engage actively in cultural battles, citing Jesus’ command to let our light shine before men (Matthew 5:16).
But does the Sermon on the Mount, one of the most profound ethical teachings of Jesus, really advocate for the kind of cultural war Walsh envisions? A closer look at the text suggests otherwise. Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 5-7 emphasize humility, peacemaking, purity of heart, and turning the other cheek in the face of hostility. “Blessed are the peacemakers,” Jesus says, “for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9). The call is not to fight in the way the world fights but to live in a way that reflects the kingdom of God—a kingdom characterized by love, mercy, and truth.
Walsh’s suggestion that Christians should adopt the methods of their opponents, including manipulation and deceit, to win the culture war, is not only inconsistent with the Sermon on the Mount but also with the broader message of the Gospel. Jesus consistently taught that His followers should be “in the world but not of the world” (John 17:14-16). This means engaging with the world while maintaining distinct, Christ-like standards of behavior and ethics. Compromising on truth to achieve cultural victories may win battles, but it risks losing the very essence of what it means to follow Christ.
A Slippery Slope of Justification
The danger of adopting Walsh’s strategy lies in the slippery slope it creates. Once Christians begin to justify deceit, manipulation, or any form of sin in the name of achieving a “greater good,” where does it end? Walsh himself acknowledges the justification often used in debates about lying: “Is it wrong to lie to the Nazis that you’ve got Jews in your attic?”. While situations like this may present moral dilemmas, they are vastly different from the use of deception for entertainment or political gain, as Walsh does in his documentary.
The Bible doesn’t leave room for situational ethics when it comes to truthfulness. Even in moments of intense pressure or danger, Christians are called to trust in God’s sovereignty and act in accordance with His commandments. Manipulating the truth may seem effective in the short term, but it undermines the believer’s witness and trust in God’s power to work through honesty and integrity.
Conclusion: The Christian’s Call to Truth
In conclusion, while Walsh’s passion for defending Christian values in today’s culture is admirable, his methods raise significant ethical concerns. Scripture makes it abundantly clear that truth, integrity, and faithfulness to God’s commands should never be sacrificed for the sake of achieving cultural victories. As believers, our call is not to fight with the weapons of the world—deception, manipulation, and trickery—but with the spiritual tools God has given us: love, truth, and righteousness (Ephesians 6:10-18).
Ultimately, Christians must trust that God’s ways are higher than our ways and that even in the face of a hostile culture, the truth will prevail without resorting to the tactics of the enemy. The battle is the Lord’s (1 Samuel 17:47), and our role is to remain faithful to His teachings, no matter the cost.
