Sheep, Wolves, and Sheepdogs

I'm wired to be a protector. 

I think it's because I was bullied mercilessly growing up. I was always the smallest and skinniest kid in my class. Not only would my schoolmates make fun of me for being so skinny, but they would also often seek to make an example of my weakness in front of others. In fact, one day, I even got beat up by a couple of girls. I would literally get beat up on the playground, in the lunch line, in the locker rooms, and at the swimming pool. In fact, during middle school I'd get picked on so much that I would arrive to school late every day just so I could avoid the dreaded playground. Many nights I would cry myself to sleep because I just wanted someone to stand up for me. 

Then I saw the Karate Kid! 

I knew what it was like to be Daniel LaRusso when Johnny Lawrence and the Cobra Kai bullied him relentlessly. Karate changed everything for LaRusso, so I thought maybe it would work for me. My mom and dad enrolled me in a local martial arts school (they even joined with me along with my sister -- "the family that kicks together, sticks together"), and over time -- although I was still extremely small and skinny -- I developed some coordination, flexibility, and a bit of quickness.  In eighth grade I found myself in a situation from which I could not escape. We had just returned from our last basketball game of the season. Rumors were circulating through the bus on the way home that one of the bigger guys on the team wanted to fight me that night. As soon as we got back to the school I ran and hid behind the Coke machine. 

They found me. 

All my classmates wanted to see me -- maybe 85 pounds soaking wet -- fight a guy who was much bigger than me. They dragged me outside, marched me to a neighboring playground a block away, then formed a circle around us. I tried to escape the ring of eighth grade boys, but I was thrown back in the middle to face the larger opponent. I had no choice but to fight. I was so scared. I remember praying to God and asking Him for help. The next thing I knew is that all of the martial arts training worked. After several punches and kicks, my opponent was bloodied and lying on the cold, hard, tundra of the Washington School playground as I stood over him unscathed. 

Then things changed.

Some of my classmates picked me up and carried me on their shoulders! I was celebrated as the same group of boys who wanted to see me get beat up, now walked me home and sang my praises. It's a night I will never forget, and the way I was treated in High School starting several months later was much better. I was still constantly ridiculed for being so small and skinny (my classmates and teachers called me "bones" or "bone" until I graduated), but I gained some respect and things got better for me in high school. In fact, I was a runner-up for Homecoming King my Senior year. I believe the change started the night that I had to fight to protect myself because no one else would stand up for me. 

That has driven me so much through the years. It was clear to me that good people stand up for those in danger. People with strength ought to protect the weak and "the least of these" (as Jesus says).<1> I think that inspired me to apply to be a lifeguard after I graduated from high school. I got the job and then realized I needed to start lifting weights if I was going to be strong enough to save people from drowning. So, I started hitting the weight room every day and continued my martial arts training. I was transforming physically, and people started seeing me much differently. I hit a little growth spurt the summer after high school and started gaining some muscle mass on my skinny bones. It was so weird to see how people saw me. I still felt like the little puny weakling (I still often struggle with this to this day) as I continued to look out of the same eyes, but others were seeing me as a person with power. A guy to be reckoned with. 

To Serve and Protect

I pursued several majors at UNK in the 90s. I ultimately finished with an education degree. I also pursued a Criminal Justice degree for a couple of years while working as an armed security guard at a bank. I really thought I was going to go into Law Enforcement. My dream at the time was to either be in the F.B.I., in Secret Service, or on a SWAT team. My desire to serve and protect grew stronger. At the same time, however, my love and passion for Jesus was growing. I was beginning to take my faith more seriously as I became a "Jesus Freak." 

To make a long story short, I eventually changed my major to education, graduated, and immediately went into youth ministry. 

With that said, my heart has always been with those serving in Law Enforcement. I have worked with several agencies over the years to help train them in tactics. In fact, just last week I had the honor of serving those who serve and protect my community. 

Shepherds Protecting Sheep

Many people know my apologetics "origin story." For those who don't here's a video briefly explaining how I realized I was not equipped to protect those whom I was supposed to be shepherding: "How Reasonable Faith Changed My Life." 

Imagine how this impacted me. I was a guy who was passionate about protecting others, but I quickly realized that I was completely powerless to protect those under my care. I realized that there was more to being a shepherd than physical protection; a good shepherd also protects the hearts and minds of those under his care. 

Just as I devoted myself to training and learning martial arts when I realized its necessity, I did the same thing in learning how to defend the truth of Christianity (a.k.a., apologetics). I trained every-single-day by reading books, listening to podcasts, and soon after, I enrolled at Biola University to learn directly from those who are sheepdogs of the soul: William Lane Craig, J.P. Moreland, Mike Licona, Clay Jones, Scott Smith, Sean McDowell, Kevin Lewis, and more. These men taught me how to fight the good fight (1 Timothy 6:12). Upon graduating from Biola, getting that diploma handed to me reminded me of my sensei tying my Black Belt around my waist in front of the class. David Parrish said, "Now that you've attained a black belt, you are ready to begin learning." Those words stuck with me as I walked off the graduation stage at Biola ten years ago. 

The Learning Continued

I eventually attained a PhD in theology from North-West University and began publishing books and academic journal articles. What continues to drive me is the need to protect people from bad ideas, deception, and painful impacts with reality. 

I do not look for fights. But I am willing to fight in defense of truth. How does one do this? It's about two words:

1- justification 2- defeaters

Hosea is clear that his people are destroyed because they lack knowledge (Hosea 4:6). Jesus commands us to love our neighbors, thus, if we truly love our neighbors, we will do whatever it takes to protect them from being destroyed. We will do whatever it takes to get them truth so that they will possess knowledge of reality. 

But one does not merely need truth to possess knowledge, one also needs justification. Indeed, it's impossible to possesses knowledge without justification. This simply means that we have got to have good reasons to believe something is true in order for it to count as knowledge. A defeater, on the other hand, is a justification eraser, it's simply a reason to doubt a belief one previously thought was justified. 

This is how I live. I treat everything in my life equally. I do not accept a proposition as true or probably true unless I have justification to believe it. If someone seeks to change my mind on that issue, then they must provide a defeater to the justification I possess (baseless assertions do not count; logical arguments are required). If they bring a defeater, then, if I want to continue holding my belief rationally, I need to defeat their defeater. If no defeater is offered, then my mind does not change. If a defeater is offered, but I defeat their defeater, then my mind does not change. If a defeater is offered and I cannot defeat their defeater, then -- in order to stay rational -- I change my mind. It's just that simple.

Moreover, if I believe a certain person is affirming or advancing a false belief -- especially one that I believe will cause them or others harm -- then it's my responsibility to offer a defeater against said belief. This erases the justification they thought they had. If they cannot defeat my defeater, and they continue to hold their belief while saying "well, I guess we will just have to agree to disagree," I call them out and say, "No! That's not how epistemology works. You are being irrational." 

Side note: never say this to your wife! One time I tried this move on her and she replied: "You're about to ePIStemology me off!" 

In all seriousness, my wife and I do work through our disagreements focusing on the justification offered and the defeaters raised. She is getting pretty good at this, and I am finding my mind being changed more often by Tia's reasoning powers. When she wins an argument, I finish by saying, "Good job, baby! You provided me with a defeater that I could not defeat. Thus, since I want to keep my rationality card, I gladly have changed my mind." 

Most folks have not been trained in the art of reason, but this mindset allows one to never lose. Indeed, if one is always committed to truth -- over and above their favorite political party, favorite religion, or favorite anything else -- then one is either right (which is a win), or one gains justified true beliefs (which is a huge victory). I love truth and I hate to lose, but this commitment to truth means I never lose (even when my mind is changed). This is exactly why I have devoted my life to reason (Isaiah 1:18). 

The Truth Hurts (but not as bad as collisions with reality)

Sometimes this approach really hurts the feelings of those who have been unwittingly deceived. When I see people I care about (we are commanded to love ALL people) about to make a horrible decision that will hurt them and/or others, I go into "emergency mode." At that point, although "love is patient and love is kind" (1 Corinthians 13), I stop caring about my neighbors experiencing "warm fuzzy feelings." Indeed, at that point, I will become stern, loud, and aggressive -- all for the sake of love. 

Think about it this way: Suppose my son was driving our Jeep and I was riding shotgun on a road trip. While traveling down the highway I believed I caught a quick glimpse of a sign that says: "BRIDGE IS OUT 100 MILES AHEAD! TURN AROUND!" This is good justification to find an alternate route. Knowing we are an hour-and-a-half away and, we have plenty of time to turn around in order to avoid this painful collision with reality, I calmly and gently say, "Ethan, did you see that sign that says the bridge is out in 100 miles?" Suppose Ethan replies, "Nah, I didn't. I'm sure that's not the case and that the bridge ahead is structurally sound because I've seen nothing online about the bridge being down." Considering this potential defeater, I might think, "True, we didn't see anything online when we were planning our trip about this. Thus, I will not freak out at the moment about the sign I thought I saw. 

But then, fifty miles down the road, I clearly see another sign that reads: "BRIDGE IS OUT 50 MILES AHEAD! TURN AROUND NOW!"

Since we are still 50 miles away, I'm still rather calm, but slightly more intense. I say, "Ethan, did you see that one! It says the bridge is out in 50 miles. I think we better turn around." Suppose Ethan responds: "Dad, I did not see that sign. I think you are seeing things." Now, at this point, I'm more concerned, and so I engage Ethan and implore him to "reason together" (Isaiah 1:18). I'm still kind, but I will be more stern because I don't want Ethan to drive off of a cliff. So, I offer justification to believe that we have good reason to at least pull off to the side of the road and discuss this a bit more before moving forward. Suppose Ethan says, "I haven't seen anything yet, so I'm just going to keep driving" (and he turns up the radio). 

At this point, I'm on high alert. I'm looking at every sign closely. With ten miles left to the cliff, I see another sign. This time it's all lit up with flashing bright lights making sure no one can miss the warning: "BRIDGE OUT IN 10 MILES! TURN AROUND NOW!" 

I say to Ethan, surely you didn't miss that one! He responds: "Yeah, I saw that one, but I really don't think something that bad could ever happen." 

At this point, since I love my son more than I love my own life, I'm not worried about his feelings anymore. Indeed, as Ben Shapiro says, "facts don't care about your feelings." I am simply trying to get Ethan to see the facts. To realize that I initially offered justification to turn the Jeep around a long time ago, he offered a bit of a defeater, but now his defeater has been defeated. We have really good reason to stop driving and to turn around. Indeed, it's simply irrational to keep going forward. 

Now suppose that Ethan steps on the gas and continues going toward the cliff. The miles go by quickly and with one mile to go, there are signs warning us of our impending doom all over the place. What is the most loving thing for a dad to do at this point? It is not to make sure my son's feelings don't get hurt. It is to do whatever it takes to stop Ethan from driving off the edge of the cliff. 

In any other situation, some might refer to my tone and posture in that situation as "mean," "unkind," or "divisive." 

I couldn't care less, since I am commanded to love my son (and all others), I will do whatever it takes to protect my son (and all others). When facing an emergency situation, I do not care about being nice; I care about protecting those I love. I care about protecting my neighbors (whom I'm commanded to love).<2>

Conclusion

Thankfully, this thought experiment does not apply to my son. He's typically a good thinker and strives to stay reasonable. Sadly, however, many of my neighbors have been duped by wolves in sheep's clothing (including many of my brothers and sisters in Christ). I have offered much justification to believe that our nation (my neighbors) is about to drive off a cliff and experience a terrible collision with reality. This is why at this point in time, I am not as concerned with being "nice." Indeed, many of the deceptive wolves are presenting themselves as the "nice ones." I am only concerned with sounding the alarm of truth for the sake of love (even if people think I'm mean for doing so).

Because I love my neighbors, I will do whatever it takes to protect my neighbors.

One of my favorite lines is found in the movie, American Sniper:

"There are three types of people in this world: sheep, wolves, and sheepdogs. Now, some people prefer to believe that evil doesn’t exist in the world… those are the sheep. And then you got predators who use violence to prey on the weak. They’re the wolves. And then there are those who have been blessed with the gift of aggression, and the overpowering need to protect the flock. These men are the rare breed that live to confront the wolf. They are the sheepdogs."

They are the true pastors! 

Too many wolves in sheep's clothing, however, have gained control of pulpits across the country. Too many Christians -- including pastors who are supposed to be shepherds -- are actually sheep who need a shepherd themselves. I have been called to aggressively confront evil for the sake of love. The same person who was relentlessly bullied and formerly felt defenseless is now here to defend. I have grown in stature and knowledge and I am committed to be a sheepdog.

27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. 28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears (Acts 20:27-31).

I am wired to be a protector. 

In truth and love,

Dr. Tim Stratton

Post Script: A Note to Pastors

A pastor is a shepherd. Shepherds are supposed to protect sheep from wolves.

Some politicians advance policies which are antithetical to the Law of Christ and lead to the suffering of sheep. These politicians are wolves.

If a pastor is not willing to call out the evil which is clearly opposed to the Law of Christ and simultaneously brings suffering to his sheep—the “least of these” and their neighbors (Matthew 25:31-46; Mark12:30-31)—then he is a pastor in name only. He’s no shepherd.

He’s guilty of pastoral malpractice. He is no better than the 12,000 German pastors who remained silent during the rise of the Nazi Party because they did not want to get “too political.”

He is either a wolf in sheep’s clothing, naive, or a coward. Good shepherds do not exhibit such traits.

Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment (James 3:1).

I’m a sheepdog. I will bark at the evil wolves who are threatening sheep and fight the wolves (including the wolves in sheep’s clothing) who attack the sheep I am obligated to protect.

Notes

<1> Daren Popple was the one guy I could count on to fight for me no matter what. He was five years older than me and tougher than nails. We became friends when I was fifteen-years-old. We are still great friends to this day. He was a guy who would always have my back. He showed me what it meant to be a sheepdog. He also showed me how to be tough. He used to spar with me and he was the first guy to ever knock me out cold. He did this because he loved me and he wanted me to get tougher. Indeed, Daren played a huge role in developing me into the sheepdog I am today. I am blessed to have such a godly friend who would fight the gates of hell to protect me. 

<2> Upon reading this article, my little sister--who has always been way smarter than I am--wrote the following on social media (I had to add it here the day after I originally published). Here’s what Jessica said: 

//Every word of this is true! As a 6th grader, I weighed more than you did as a 8th grader

. I have a brown

belt in Tae Kwon Do because of your enthusiasm. Unlike you, I am a coward, so I quit when I was too scared to break a board.

You teased me and made me cry sometimes, as all brothers must do to their younger siblings, but as we got older I always knew that you would stick up for me if I needed you. You have also been a loving truth-teller to me as an adult! I’m beyond thankful for you.

I have known you my entire life and I can 100% say that you LOVE all of your readers, especially those who don’t want to hear what you are saying. You love them enough to take all of their insults and punches (because you know that they will eventually know the truth; you just want them to know the bridge is out before they plunge into the canyon)!//