In the first Gulf War, my brother Tom drove bomb-laden trucks across the desert at high speeds to deliver them to a forward, secret base of operations. From that base, Coalition forces executed a speedy end-run around the entrenched Iraqi forces at the Iraq-Kuwait border. This flanking maneuver took the enemy by surprise and soon set them to flight. The war was over in days.

Flanking maneuvers are one of the oldest and most-used battle tactics (see graphic). By attacking the enemy at its edges, one usually finds softer resistance and can often split the enemy force, causing fear and chaos, leading to retreat.

A few years ago, a reader questioned why the Newscan section of our magazine often focuses on several hot-button issues like abortion and homosexuality.

The answer is simple: It is here that we are being attacked! What do you think would happen if the goverment and various interest groups declared Christianity to be illegal and all churches shut down? There would be an enormous outcry. Christians would mobilize everywhere. The enemy is not so foolish—not our spiritual enemy nor our human enemies. A weaker enemy has no chance of victory in attacking an opponent’s strength. Thus efforts are made to chip away at the flanks. We see news of such flanking maneuvers in the article on page 16 of this month’s magazine.

Flanking efforts have been highly successful. Abortion has become a woman’s right, and even protesting that right has landed people in prison. Homosexuality, too, has become a legally sanctioned lifestyle, and civil unions are equated with traditional marriage in certain jurisdictions and in many companies.

Another evidence of the success of the flanking attacks occurred this week. Belmont University (which one of my sons attends) fired a coach because she made it known that she and her female partner were adopting a child. Their announcement made it clear that she had violated her contract at this Christian school, and so she and the school agreed that she should resign. This has resulted in national uproar, with too many terrible things being said about Belmont’s trustees to fathom.

Biblical perspective is under attack in the U.S., Canada, and far beyond. I’ve heard people say that Christians in America are seldom persecuted. Is that because of the spiritual climate or because of our silence? Go and stand on a street corner and espouse biblical positions on the hot-button issues of our day and see if you are persecuted. Or write something for your local newspaper, or online in a public forum. Even take a stand as an organization. Then watch the fangs come out.

The worst thing you can do when you’re being flanked is to be unaware or unconcerned. There are multiple ways to respond to these flanking maneuvers. It might involve speaking up and taking stands. It also will involve being a Christlike example in your personal conduct and compassion, so that those who oppose you will be ashamed—and some will be attracted to the real life that you have.

—Drew Gordon