Has Cowardice Been Enshrined as a Virtue?

In this episode of Out of the Question, hosts Andrea Schwartz and Charles Roberts examine how cowardice is treated in Scripture, particularly in Revelation 21:8, where “the cowardly” appear first in a list of those condemned. The conversation explores how cowardice is often overlooked or minimized compared to other sins like murder or adultery, despite its serious placement in the biblical text. Roberts reflects on his initial surprise at this verse and draws on Rousas John Rushdoony’s observations linking cowardice to democratic systems that allow people to hide behind majority opinion rather than taking personal responsibility. The discussion critiques how fear of man—particularly fear of government—has led many churches to abdicate their roles during crises, such as the COVID-19 mandates, rather than standing courageously for biblical convictions.

The hosts argue that cowardice spreads socially and institutionally, infecting churches, leadership, and culture. They trace this cultural softness to modern comfort, bureaucratic leadership, and the absence of real risk-taking role models. Drawing on historical figures like Alexander Solzhenitsyn, they warn of the West’s decline in civic courage. The episode concludes by urging Christians to name and condemn cowardice, contrasting it with biblical courage modeled by figures such as Gideon, Abigail, Deborah, and the Puritans. The core message is that cowardice is not a harmless weakness but a betrayal of God’s kingdom—and that fearing God over man is the only true foundation for courage and cultural resistance.