Samuel Case, FISM News

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Overview

Elon Musk recently revealed a 9.2 percent stake in Twitter, worth nearly $3 billion dollars, making him the site’s largest shareholder.  The billionaire will now be joining Twitter’s board of directors. Musk has been a critic of Twitter’s commitment to free speech and recently ran a poll asking users if they believed the platform adheres to the principle of free speech, to which over 70% voted “no”.

Digging in

Twitter has recently suspended several high-profile conservative profiles over their comments on transgenderism, including Christian satire site The Babylon Bee, Turning Point founder Charlie Kirk, and Fox News opinion host Tucker Carlson. 

The Babylon Bee was the first to be suspended last month.  Twitter said the account will be restored 12 hours after the tweet is deleted, but Babylon Bee CEO Seth Dillon refused saying: “If the cost of telling the truth is the loss of our Twitter account, then so be it.” The Babylon Bee enjoys a friendly relationship with Musk, who according to Dillon reached out to the site concerning the suspension, saying he may have to buy Twitter. 

What people are saying 

Musk reached out to us before he polled his followers about Twitter’s commitment to free speech. He wanted to confirm that we had, in fact, been suspended. He even mused on that call that he might need to buy Twitter. Now he’s the largest shareholder and has a seat on the board. – Seth Dillon, Babylon Bee CEO

Given that Twitter serves as the de facto public town square, failing to adhere to free speech principles fundamentally undermines democracy. What should be done? – Elon Musk

He’s both a passionate believer and intense critic of the service which is exactly what we need on Twitter, and in the boardroom, to make us stronger in the long-term. Welcome Elon! – Parag Agrawal, Twitter CEO 

Biblical Perspective: 

While Elon Musk is the central figure in this story, it is difficult to ignore the role the Babylon Bee’s steadfast commitment to the truth played into Musk’s decision – a decision that will likely result in a freer, more open platform for everyone. At the close of a recent interview with Musk, Babylon Bee editors Kyle Mann and Ethan Nicolle, asked if Musk wanted to accept Christ as his personal Lord and Savior.

In the Old Testament we see time and time again God honoring the unwavering commitment of his saints and the rulers of the world taking note. Take for instance Daniel in the lion’s den or Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the flame – situations in which faithful men were willing to sacrifice all for the sake of truth and influenced the rulers of the day as a result. (See Daniel 4:28-30, 6:25-27)

In 1 Corinthians 15:58 Paul commands believers to “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” However there is no promise the rewards of faith will be seen in this life, as seen with Daniel, but nonetheless God promises that faithful sacrifice will bear fruit. 

For example, Church Father Polycarp (69-156 AD), considered the first recorded martyr outside of the New Testament, was publicly burned at the stake at the approximate age of 86. Though he died, Polycarps’ martyrdom had such an impact that his chronicler writes that his death was remembered by “everyone”—”he is even spoken of by the heathen in every place.”

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News in Four is a segment of FISM News that breaks down stories in four easy to digest segments and can be read in four minutes or less. While these articles are meant to provide a biblical perspective to current events, FISM News does not intend to hold these perspectives as absolute truth, knowing that the news is often nuanced and politically driven. While our goal is to provide a jumping off point to view the news through a biblical lens, God has called all believers, like Bereans, to search the Bible for oneself (Acts 17:11-12).