Abortion.
The sexual revolution.
The advancement of the LGBT agenda.
The subjectivity of morality.
Open hostility to Christianity and the Bible.
Despite what some people may tell you, these things are not new. They are not novel. These ideas and attitudes have existed throughout history in many different parts of the world. The historical novelty is a nation acknowledging the true God and conforming their laws to His. Again, despite what you've been told, this was largely the condition of our country at the time of its inception. It is certain that there were many ideals and beliefs that formed the foundation of this melting pot we call the United States of America, but it is undeniable that a large contribution was made by Christianity and its values. We were, in many ways, a Christian nation, or, at least, a nation of Christians.
This is why we got complacent.
It was easy to be a Christian. It was normal to be a Christian and even abnormal not to be a Christian. It was socially unacceptable to deny the existence of God or to live in a way that was opposed to the standards of the Bible and/or Christian tradition.
The result? America became a nation full of nominal Christians whose only claim to religion was being baptized and occupying pews.
The truth will find you out. This is no less true of a nation or a regional church than it is for individuals. Nominal Christianity leads to lukewarmness, lukewarmness leads to moral decline, and moral decline leads to generations arising who question the faith of their parents and are unsatisfied with the answers their lukewarm parents give them.
As destructive as a cycle as this is, it actually has a positive effect on the Church. As animosity grows towards the Church, including against the genuine abuses perpetrated by her leaders, those who are nominal Christians will leave en masse. This mass exodus purifies and sanctifies the body of Christ. The dross is burned away by the fires of persecution. When being a Christian is more difficult, fewer will claim to be Christians falsely. When it is socially acceptable to reject Christianity, only those who truly know God will hold the Faith. When it is abnormal to be a Christian, fewer will embrace it nominally.
We're getting there. We aren't there yet, but we're getting there.
There are still many nominal Christians in America, but they are leaving the Church in droves, and while we certainly want to evangelize and bring people to a saving knowledge of the Gospel, we should embrace the purification of the Church. Getting more butts in pews, regardless of the price, is not God's design for building His Church. We should be seeking the spiritual growth of the Church, not just her numerical proliferation.
We can no longer ignore the cultural war that is raging. To do so will guarantee certain defeat. It is time to recognize that the battles lines are being drawn and the banners are being flown. A war is being waged and you have to pick a side. On whose side will you fight?
The sexual revolution.
The advancement of the LGBT agenda.
The subjectivity of morality.
Open hostility to Christianity and the Bible.
Despite what some people may tell you, these things are not new. They are not novel. These ideas and attitudes have existed throughout history in many different parts of the world. The historical novelty is a nation acknowledging the true God and conforming their laws to His. Again, despite what you've been told, this was largely the condition of our country at the time of its inception. It is certain that there were many ideals and beliefs that formed the foundation of this melting pot we call the United States of America, but it is undeniable that a large contribution was made by Christianity and its values. We were, in many ways, a Christian nation, or, at least, a nation of Christians.
This is why we got complacent.
It was easy to be a Christian. It was normal to be a Christian and even abnormal not to be a Christian. It was socially unacceptable to deny the existence of God or to live in a way that was opposed to the standards of the Bible and/or Christian tradition.
The result? America became a nation full of nominal Christians whose only claim to religion was being baptized and occupying pews.
The truth will find you out. This is no less true of a nation or a regional church than it is for individuals. Nominal Christianity leads to lukewarmness, lukewarmness leads to moral decline, and moral decline leads to generations arising who question the faith of their parents and are unsatisfied with the answers their lukewarm parents give them.
As destructive as a cycle as this is, it actually has a positive effect on the Church. As animosity grows towards the Church, including against the genuine abuses perpetrated by her leaders, those who are nominal Christians will leave en masse. This mass exodus purifies and sanctifies the body of Christ. The dross is burned away by the fires of persecution. When being a Christian is more difficult, fewer will claim to be Christians falsely. When it is socially acceptable to reject Christianity, only those who truly know God will hold the Faith. When it is abnormal to be a Christian, fewer will embrace it nominally.
We're getting there. We aren't there yet, but we're getting there.
There are still many nominal Christians in America, but they are leaving the Church in droves, and while we certainly want to evangelize and bring people to a saving knowledge of the Gospel, we should embrace the purification of the Church. Getting more butts in pews, regardless of the price, is not God's design for building His Church. We should be seeking the spiritual growth of the Church, not just her numerical proliferation.
We can no longer ignore the cultural war that is raging. To do so will guarantee certain defeat. It is time to recognize that the battles lines are being drawn and the banners are being flown. A war is being waged and you have to pick a side. On whose side will you fight?
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