The recent buyout of social media tech giant Twitter by billionaire Elon Musk has caused great debate over the airwaves. Outlets like CNN headlined, “Twitter Has Been Focused on ‘Healthy Conversations,’ Elon Musk Could Change That”. The Washington Post posted an article under the motto “Democracy Dies in Darkness” on their front-page with the title “Five Reasons the Elon Musk Deal to Buy Twitter Could Still Fall Apart.”

The WaPo article implies some desire for Twitter to control free speech, something that conveniently helps politicians during election years. It also helps particular groups of people who espouse certain ideologies that fit special interests. In the article, Rachel Lerman, is quick to point out that some Twitter employees are “concerned” with the buyout. Vijaya Gadde, Twitter’s top lawyer, even cried during a meeting with other Twitter employees in relation to Elon Musk’s takeover. Maybe her tears are more related to the fact she earned 17 million dollars last year and is at risk of losing her job? Hard to know.

Moreover, the underlying issue driving most of the online chatter is related to free speech. Elon Musk is a free speech purist. He wants Twitter to be a place where free dialogue takes place. Meanwhile, others believe free speech needs to be regulated and monitored. In relation to Musk’s takeover, Nicole Pesce writes, “Free speech, an increasingly hot topic as the public and investors have reacted to Musk’s offer, has limitations under U.S. law. For example, freedom of speech does not include the right to ‘incite imminent lawless action’ or ‘make or distribute obscene materials.'” As it should.

Musk stated on April 26, 2022,

“Free speech is the bedrock of a functioning democracy, and Twitter is the digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated … ”

All functional democracies advocate for the power of free speech. Why? Because individuals should have complete autonomy to share their thoughts in the public square. The alternative is fascism, communism, apartheid, autocracies, and other dictatorial forms of government.

Debates over free speech caused me to wonder about its ramifications and impact on gospel proclamation.

Gospel Proclamation and its Relationship to Free Speech

Freedom of speech has allowed churches, and other religious entities, to freely share its ideals. The greatest weapon Christians have against “the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:12). That is the reason why the Apostle Paul tells us that the word of God is the “sword of the Spirit.”

The lack of free speech, or hindrance thereof, hurts the proclamation of the gospel. Notice how crucial word proclamation is for the advancement of the gospel:

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15

“He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  You are witnesses of these things.  I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:46-49

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

With freedom comes responsibility. Ecclesiastes alludes to it “There’s a time to be silent and a time to speak” (Ecclesiastes 3:7). Sharing the gospel with others is our main responsibility as Christ followers. Every time the gospel was proclaimed, it was done through speech. Peter, Stephen, Paul, and the other disciples proclaimed the message of the gospel with boldness. Paul was not ashamed of preaching the gospel of salvation to both Jew and Gentile (Romans 1:16). They spoke with boldness even when persecuted.

Now, if you think the West is not cracking down on free speech, perhaps you’re not paying attention. Particularly, there’s a movement against Christian thought. Biblical truths are beginning to fall into the category of hate speech. For instance, Mary Margaret Olohan reports, “Assembled in December 2020, that advisory panel [Canada’s National Defence Minister’s Advisory Panel] was created ‘to seek out the policies, processes and practices that enable systemic racism and discrimination in the Department of National Defense (DND) and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF),’ the Canadian government said in a news release, noting that its work has focused on ‘Anti-Indigenous and Anti-Black Racism, LGBTQ2+ Prejudice, Gender Bias, White Supremacy, Antisemitism, Islamophobia, and discrimination against people with disabilities.'”

Note what was left out…discrimination against Christians. Anti-Christian sentiment, or should I say “Christophobia” is never mentioned, because Christians are seen by many in goverment as oppressors. Canada’s Department of National Defense deems Christianity as the main culprit of generational trauma and genocide, hence why its antagonistic stance against Christians.

Christian Response in Relation to Free Speech

Let’s be honest. Christians often take the power of free speech for granted. We miss opportunities to share the gospel with the people around us on a daily basis, we become lazy in sharing the good news, and neglect fulfilling the Great Commission. It is not until freedom of speech is muzzled that most Christians begin risking their lives for the sake of the gospel.

So, here are a few reflective thoughts on free speech:

First, we must be thankful for freedom of speech. The early church, for instance, shared the gospel at their own peril. They were deprived of freedom of speech on many levels, but still boldly proclaimed the truth. This reality has not changed. Today, Christians are being martyred for their faith around the world. Therefore, we should take advantage of the freedoms we enjoy to proclaim the good news of Jesus at every turn.

Second, we should champion free speech, even from those who are not of our faith. Freedom of speech leaves room for open dialogue. While we should not condone false theologies and worldly ideologies, we should seek to champion the right for everyone to have open dialogue, no matter their religious background. Furthermore, Christians in the West should also to use the courts, law, policies, and community engagement in order affect change in the public sphere toward greater truthful proclamation.

Third, we need to know that freedom of speech is a privilege. Brad Littlejohn is right to point out, Absolute freedom of speech is not a moral right … And clearly a great deal of speech, expression, and writing is wrong—whether by spreading falsehood, seducing to sin, tearing down the innocent, and much more.” We should choose our words wisely. The apostle Paul encouraged us, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Col 4:6).

Fourth, freedom of speech can aid us in fulfilling the Great Commission. There may be a day when proclaiming the gospel will no longer be protected under the umbrella of free speech, but we must still proclaim the truth. Christians should responsibly use their democratic rights to champion free speech. That is why we must vote wisely during election cycles and promote open discourse in the public square. Overall, however, under no circumstances should Christians neglect their role in fulfilling the Great Commission, especially while living in places where free speech is accepted.

Fifth, freedom of speech should lead us to use our words wisely. We should seek to always speak the truth, and to use our words wisely (Proverbs 21:23; James 3:2-5; 1 Peter 3:10; Colossians 3:8; Ephesians 4:29). But keep in mind this standard does not apply to unbelievers. Consequently, Littlejohn writes, “We have no moral right to slander, deceive, curse, or insult. In order to secure our moral right to speak truth, however, we generally need to defend a legal right that includes a right to speak falsehood.” Needless to say, Christians are to be held to greater accountability because we are to called to be champions of purity, words included.

Finally, free speech may yet fall into the whims of relativism, but we must hold tight to what is true at all costs, namely the gospel. Postmodernism, oxymoronically believes there is no absolute truth. However, Christians believe God is absolute over everything and that his Word holds the final say. Littlejohn warns, “Our post-Christian society has dangerously married moral relativism to a sense of righteous zeal inherited from its Christian past, without any of the Christian humility that comes from the comforting faith in God’s providence. Accordingly, it is hellbent on a moral crusade to enthrone relativism by force of will.” The remedy? To move heavenward toward godliness never compromising on biblical principles. Jesus is the only one who can gives us true everlasting freedom.

Written by Daniel Messina