Against the Waves by Jon Harris

The book Against the Waves by Jon Harris. It was originally published by TruthScript Press in 2025. I read the first edition paperback. I read it in June of 2025.  

The title refers to the waves of wokism that have been battering the rocks of truth for many years now. By this time, every rational person knows there is a problem with our culture. Many Christians and conservatives know what we are against, this book explains what we are for. We’ve defined the enemy, now we have to figure out how to fight them. 

 I heard about this book from Doug Wilson’s podcast The Plodcast. He always gives book recommendations and he talked about his book. I thought it sounded great so I read it. I agree that there are many voices beating the dead horse to death in defining the problem with our culture. We’re all on the same page with that. What we need to figure out as Christian conservatives how to fight against the waves. 

 Harris gives a prescription for how to fight the disease of godless, leftist insanity in our country. That prescription is Christian Nationalism. I won’t give a full defence for Christian Nationalism here. You can read my journals on Stephen Wolfe’s The Case for Christian Nationalism and Doug Wilson’s Mere Christendom for more thoughts on that specifically. 

Jon Harris is a Christian Nationalist, I would say more in the biblical flavor of pastor Doug Wilson than historian Stephen Wolfe. A biblical, gospel approach is where I would fall too. 

Harris explains why Christians are more suited to bring about this much needed change in America. It’s because it will take a revival and reformation, not a political revolution. 

“In an age dominated by technology and artificial intelligence, one thing seems certain: people will increasingly value authenticity. Those who are willing to risk themselves to speak the truth and love others will be recognized and respected, standing in contrast to those who simply toe the party line and reap rewards from elite institutions. Christians are uniquely positioned to lead this shift away from the artificial world of human theories and back to the reality of God’s design.” (p158)

These words hit hard in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assasination. Charlie put himself at great risk in his open air debates. He fought zealously against the “artificial world of human theories”.  He stood against the waves for biblical godly truth and they killed him for it. We should all have such conviction. 

This book encouraged me toward boldness in sharing the gospel with everyone. And also fulfilling the second part of the great commission after we’re told to make disciples of all nations, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”

We’re commanded to make disciples of all nations, why don’t we start with our own? 

This book made me think about how I could do more as a Christian to share the gospel with my country and help bring this nation to Christ. I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately since Charlie was murdered. People are saying that with his martyrdom they created one million Charlie Kirks. Could I be one of them? I hope so.  

There weren’t really surprises from this book. I follow Jon Harris on social media. I know where he’s coming from. And it not being November Doug Wilson would’ve given some sort of disclaimer or qualifier in recommending a book, but he didn’t.  

I learned about this quote from Charles Spurgeon. 

“I long for the day when the precepts of the Christian religion shall be the rule among all classes of men, in all transactions. I often hear it said, do not bring religion into politics. This is precisely where it ought to be brought and set there in the face of all men as on a candlestick.” (p211)

I’d recommend this to all Christians who want to see a change towards Christianity in our nation. Charlie Kirk’s murder should solidify that there is no neutrality between a Christian nation and a pagan nation. We’re either living in and being governed by a country that abides by biblical values and laws or we’re not. Neutrality is a myth that we’ve believed for far too long.  

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Quotations

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In a short period of time the contest will not be between Christianity and some version of a religiously-neutral liberal order. It will be between Christianity and a return to paganism. By some accounts it already is.

The spiritual goal is not ultimately found in a return to cultural Christianity, but in transferring the redeemed to the heavenly city. (p9)

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This is why the only sexual boundary left for conservatives is “consent” which of course we are now finding cannot even effectively protect children from predators. (p58)

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In the minds of many, liberalism promised equality but failed to deliver it. This has inevitably led to the system’s destruction, which social justice advocates, who exploit the tension between the ideal and reality, are happy to further.

The ultimate goal is to ensure individual freedom. The assumption is that this freedom will ultimately produce greater levels of prosperity and equality.

Because of this commitment, today’s political Right is incapable of fending off social justice long term. Without a moral vision and particular expectations to guide human choice, there is no reason to assume a positive result from those choices. (p61)

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In contrast, residents of liberal societies, aided by technology, increasingly form groups and networks around specific forms of entertainment. Video game forums, Comic Con events, and shared allegiance to various performers fill a void left in the wake of broken families and ruined cultures. Many Zoomers seem to know more about the history and happenings of the Marvel Universe than they do their own. What loyalty they have is directed toward the glory of fantasy worlds and the band of acquaintances who share their preoccupation. (p65)

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The fact of the matter is that politics by its very nature prohibits morally neutral approaches. Civil magistrates must impose what they believe the standards of acceptability to be. When Christians are not involved in this process, competing moral visions gain ascendence and force believers into compliance. (p67)

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Without Christianity to guide the United States, another religion will inevitably fill that void. To a large extent, this is already happening, as social justice operates in this manner. What cannot be a viable solution is a neutral public square in a proposition nation. Christians should know better than to fall for that. Perhaps it takes a Satanic statue to drive the point home. (p96)

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First, we should end the practice of allowing dual citizenship, as it implies dual allegiance. Second, English should be established as the official language of the United States. Third, we should impose strict limits on immigration, prioritizing individuals who align culturally, and this should include deporting those in the country illegally. (p114)

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If seeking power to defeat power is “woke,” then so is politics itself. (p129)

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Christians can still believe heaven is their final destination when involving themselves in the temporal world. If they can invest in making their families, churches, and businesses more Christian, there is no reason to believe they cannot do the same with their government. American Christians and political conservatives should unashamedly use political power to advocate for identities that are part of God’s good order and discourage identities that are not. (p145)

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People want groups to belong to. In a healthy society, national, regional, familial, and spiritual identities help fulfill this longing. But during a time of social breakdown, ideologies, frivolous activities, and novel identities fill the void. This is why we have “furries, “bronies, and even “Trekkies.” It is one reason why so many social justice warriors and “cat moms” are single women. It is why many young urban men join gangs and why white middle class men without support networks commit suicide. (p146)

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There is no reason for Christians to accept a new dictionary produced by alchemists bent on casting civilization over the cliff of absurdity. (p152)

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Christians today far too quickly accept their position as a lower caste incapable of influence. It is hard to square this with the belief that God is in fact the creator. It may feel like Christians are forced to live in an increasingly pagan world. However, since God is the creator, it is pagans who are inescapably forced to live in a Christian one. (p157)

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In an age dominated by technology and artificial intelligence, one thing seems certain: people will increasingly value authenticity. Those who are willing to risk themselves to speak the truth and love others will be recognized and respected, standing in contrast to those who simply toe the party line and reap rewards from elite institutions. Christians are uniquely positioned to lead this shift away from the artificial world of human theories and back to the reality of God’s design. (p158)

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Leadership is less about personality and more about character proven through experience. (p160)

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Leadership ability is not identified by certificates or through completing formulaic programs. Instead, it is observed over time as potential leaders face situations that expose their character. (p170)

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In the words of John Wayne, “Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway. -7 Without an ability to face one’s own fears there is no hope in leading others to face theirs.

This is no small task when Peter describes “the devil” as a “roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.””” This is why timid people are not suited for leadership, let alone pastoral ministry. They care too much

for their own comfort and reputation to risk upsetting the status quo. (p179-180)

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Families, churches, and society as a whole are in need of real men. While many potential candidates exist, too few today have received the guidance and encouragement from fathers and mentors to inspire them to fulfill their calling. Yet God’s Word assures them that being a man is not only possible but expected. The command to “act like men” implies that it is within their ability to do so. In fact, this is how God originally designed men to function. He has also graciously provided His Word, filled with examples of true masculinity, as well as contemporary models of what it means to be a man in His Church. Men have all the tools they need to be true men. Now is the time to put aside distractions, cut out vices, pursue higher virtues, and strive for physical, mental, and spiritual strength. Now is the time for men to step up and be who God has called them to be. (p197)

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In the words of Charles Spurgeon: “I long for the day when the precepts of the Christian religion shall be the rule among all classes of men, in all transactions. I often hear it said, do not bring religion into politics. This is precisely where it ought to be brought and set there in the face of all men as on a candlestick.” (p211)

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One 2024 Daily Mail headline read that “up to half of all porn consumed in US is ‘family, themed” The taboos surrounding sexuality are disintegrating, as are the boundaries concerning violence. (p247)