An Uncertain Life

 

Saint Augustine (354-430), Bishop of Hippo, once declared, “Nothing is so certain as death, and nothing is so uncertain as the hour of death.”

Scripture makes this point in numerous texts.  Psalm 144:4 states, “Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.”  James 4:14 echoes a similar sentiment, “… you do not know what will happen tomorrow.  For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.”

Intellectually, we all understand the universal reality of death.  But it is one of those truths that, too frequently, fails to impact our outlook to the degree that it should.

This axiomatic dimension of life was powerfully illustrated in our church family recently.  Last week we held the memorial service for a faithful member and leader of our congregation.   Two weeks before his death, he was functioning normally in his duties at home and in our church ministries.  But then, circumstances occurred which would seldom attract much attention but ultimately led to his death.

We live in the reality that God is sovereign over all of the details of life.  Not a sparrow can fall apart from the providence of God, Jesus declared.   There are no “accidents” in the plan of God.  All things are ordained by the Lord to bring glory to Himself and for the ultimate good of His people.

On a human level, we are surprised by many circumstances in life.  But when we view life from the perspective of God’s eternal purposes being fulfilled, we can find peace and joy, even in the midst of bewildering developments that, humanly speaking, were not anticipated nor welcomed.  

God has given us this moment in time, of unknown duration.  Let us use it for His glory, trusting Him for the ultimate outcome.

The Crisis of Biblical Illiteracy

One of the greatest crises facing the church in our nation these days is a growing lack of biblical literacy.  Many stumble over simple, basic facts.  For example, one survey found that 25% of professing evangelical Christians thought that the Golden Rule is one of the Ten Commandments.  13% of evangelicals agreed that “Jesus was a great teacher, but he was not God.”  

Ligonier research has determined that the most consistent trend in their surveys since 2014 is a growing agreement with the statement, “The Bible, like all sacred writings, contains helpful accounts of ancient myths but is not literally true.”   Their research found that 53% of Americans agreed.      

Not surprising, therefore, is the research result which found that 56% of evangelical Christians agreed that “A mature human accepts different truth views to be just as valid as their own views.”          

What lies behind these realities is a failure to take studying the Word of God seriously.   Most Americans have other burning interests that dwarf their motivation for engaging with Scripture.  Moreover, many churches are failing to adequately prepare people for dealing with the abysmal spiritual ignorance that plagues our current society.  Not counting the theological decay in mainline denominations, only 51% of “evangelical” pastors maintain a consistent biblical worldview.  If they are weak in their own understanding and application of Scripture, it is not surprising that their parishioners are likewise biblically inept and vulnerable.             

Scripture warns of the consequences of failing to take the Word of God seriously.   Jesus’ classic parable about the man who built his house upon a rock, in contrast to the one who build his on sand, vividly illustrates the difference that a sound understanding and application of biblical truth makes.  Storms will strike us all, but only those whose allegiance is to the inspired and infallible Word of God will adequately weather those storms to the glory of God.         

Spiritual Hunger

For decades, these United States have been languishing in the negative consequences of a society that largely turned its back upon God.   The whims of human perversity have been seen in views of what constitutes a family, of the relationship and distinctions between the sexes, of the rights and responsibilities of parents vs. that of government schools, and a host of social factors that form the matrix of current society.

But with the election of a new, federal government administration, there seems to be a turning away from the radical perspectives of the recent past – a rejection of the extreme activism of the current administration.   There is a growing sanity with regard to what is best for our children and how they should be trained.  Increasingly, the views of parents are being given greater consideration, to the consternation of social engineers who pursue a radical, woke agenda.

That many in society are looking in the right place to find the truth is evident in the growing hunger for the Word of God.   Annual Bible sales have increased 22% over this time last year.  Reportedly, first-time buyers are a major factor in this surge in sales.   Christian publisher Jeff Crosby told the Wall Street Journal, “People are experiencing anxiety themselves, or they’re worried for their children and grandchildren.”

Thankfully, many people have begun to recognize that the timeless truths of the inspired Word of God are the one source of moral absolutes that must govern our lives.   The breakdown in the foundational structure of the family unit has created a host of negative, social consequences.  This fallout is seen in broken and fatherless homes, leading to increased levels of crime, poor academic performance, and a general, social malaise not as frequently seen when a biblical view of the family unit is more fully grasped and followed.

As Christians, our task is to stand unalterably upon the timeless message of Scripture.  When fathers and mothers understand that their critical task is to instill in their children a love for the Word of God and an unshakeable commitment to build their lives upon this immutable foundation, then society is moving in the right direction.

No element of our worldview is more critical than the conviction that the Word of God is an enduring, unchanging revelation of truth from God.  It defines how people can know God and live to please Him during their brief pilgrimage in this world.   As you enter 2025, renew your commitment to be guided by the eternal, inspired truth of the Holy Bible.   

Consistent Christianity

Surveying the state of affairs in our nation highlights many areas of critical concern: spirituality, politics, morality, economics, social relationships, and education priorities.  It is beyond the scope of this brief essay to deal with the full spectrum of grave concerns that must be addressed if the health of America is to begin to rebound.  But the most crucial issue is the state of our nation’s spirituality.  What one believes about God, the future, and what matters most in life is a chief determiner in how one deals with every other segment of life.   Such a cumulative collection of beliefs can be termed a worldview.  A consistently Christian, or biblical, worldview is that perspective in which every dimension of life, and one’s understanding of eternity, are governed by biblical principles and commands.

While we can lament the decline of Americans who call themselves Christian, of greater concern is the increasing number of professed followers of Christ who fail to hold to a biblical worldview.  The majority of Americans (68%) still consider themselves to be “Christian.”  But less than half of that number can be classified as “born again.”

However, a recent study conducted by Arizona Christian University found that of American adult “born-again” Christians, only 13% maintain a biblical worldview.   Among all adults that number drops to 4%.   And the situation is worsening.  In 2020, those numbers were 19% and 6% respectively.

Clearly what is needed for our troubled nation is the rebirth of a biblical worldview that drives people to view life as God does and to live according to the principles revealed in His Word.   Creating that biblical worldview is a task given to the church by Jesus Christ.  Some of His final words before returning to His Father in heaven were: “Make disciples of all nations … teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.”  Jesus was not interested in nominal followers who claim to believe in Him but fail to take His truth seriously so that it impacts every dimension of life.   Such is the sad outlook of the majority of Americans in 2024.   If that is to change, the church must take more seriously this mandate of our Lord. 

Researcher George Barna has diagnosed the dilemma we face: “The impact of arts and entertainment, government, and public schools is clearly apparent in the shift from biblical perspectives to a more experiential and emotional form of decision-making.” 

To address this crisis of belief and understanding, local churches and Christian parents must prioritize biblical instruction.  Developing a consistently Christian worldview will not happen apart from genuine disciples of Christ being focused upon this most critical task.  

Our Sick and Decaying Nation

By nearly any standard of measure, American society is dying from within.  Yes, we face multiple international threats to our security and wellbeing.  But such dangers are only exacerbated by the declining fabric of our own civilization.

67 years ago, Russia’s Communist leader Nikita Khrushchev declared, “We will take America without firing a shot. We do not have to invade the U.S. We will destroy you from within....”  An objective analysis now indicates that we are well on our way to seeing America destroyed from within.

While we certainly face threats from the Russians and the Chinese and other international forces, our greatest perils stem from the unraveling of the Christian worldview upon which our nation was founded and which, in some sense, governed the general fabric of our nation throughout its history.  Until recently. 

George Washington, in his presidential farewell address, eloquently stated that “of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.  In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens.”

In 21^st century America, biblically based religion and morality are in steep decline, being replaced by a diabolical mixture of wokeness and depravity that defy God’s authority and creative design.

A recent poll published by the WSJ indicates that over the past 25 years, those who believe that patriotism is an important virtue have declined from 70% to 38%.   Similarly, those who are convinced that religion is vital for a healthy society declined from 62% to 39%.   Respondents who believe that having children is “very important” fell from 59% to 30%.

Those dramatic changes are not indicative of a healthy, thriving society.  Instead, they reveal a nation in precipitous decline.

Is there hope for the future?  Can these patterns change in a positive way?  As Christians, we understand that the answer is absolutely “yes.”  But such hope can only be founded upon a spiritual awakening wherein society rediscovers the reality that God’s Word is truth.  Only His moral law can govern a healthy and stable society.  And the Christian church is called to shine forth the light of Scripture into this dark and unstable world.   May God give us courage, wisdom, and discernment to be a beacon for truth that shows the only path for national renewal.

The solution for America’s malaise is not ultimately found in politics or personalities but in an unfaltering commitment to the power of God to change lives and restore the rotting foundation of our nation.

Waning National Conviction

As we approach the midpoint of 2022, there are many disconcerting trends that are troubling our nation.  Skyrocketing inflation and energy costs are hurting all but the very wealthy.   The wave of violence and crime continues to afflict particularly large urban areas but is being felt everywhere.   Moral decay persistently tears at the fabric of human society as we drift further from the patterns ordained by the Creator.  Weakened families are failing to provide stable environments in which children may be established to provide sound, courageous leadership for future generations. 

At the root of these degenerative patterns is a waning national conviction of the existence of God.   Gallop’s poll conducted in May 2022 reveals the lowest percentage of Americans expressing belief in God ever recorded.   This year 81% of people surveyed answered that they believe in God – down six percentage points from the 87% who expressed their belief in God in the 2017 poll.

When this question was first asked in 1944, and twice annually through the 1950s and 1960s, consistently 98% of respondents indicated their belief in God.  By 2011 the percentage had dropped to 92%.   So, over the past decade, the pattern of disbelief has fallen over 10 percentage points. 

When nearly 20% of the population refuses to acknowledge that there is a God to whom they are ultimately accountable, such disbelief will inevitably affect human behavior and social trends in a negative way.   Some of those degenerative patterns were noted earlier.  

Indeed, most Americans understand that all is not well.  A Gallop poll released on June 15^th indicated that half of Americans rate the overall state of moral values in the US as “poor.”  Another 37% rated morals as “only fair.”  Not surprisingly, these are the worst ratings received in the 20 years that Gallop has been asking the question.  

Our task as God-fearing followers of Christ is to ensure that our lives daily reflect the conviction that there is a God in heaven who rules in the affairs of men.   Scripture declares that only a fool tells himself that there is no God.   In our time we see many highly educated people living as fools.  

If there is hope for America, it will be found in a renewed commitment to our national Pledge of Allegiance which affirms that we are “one nation, under God.”  Whether as individuals, or as a nation, living as if there is no God will lead inevitably to devastating consequences such as we are witnessing in these perilous times.  

As we celebrate Independence Day, let us pray that the God of mercy will send revival and renewal across our troubled land.  

A Spiritual Pandemic

We have been overwhelmed since early 2020 with a daily barrage of information about the impact of the COVID-19 virus sweeping the world.  And we have all been impacted personally with the illness itself, the fallout of social restrictions, the death of friends and family, the general chaos that has impacted most of the world, or some other dimension of this plague.  Except for those who look favorably upon the heavy hand of government control, this pandemic cannot end soon enough.

There is, however, another plague which has been causing chaos and destruction at a spiritual level long before the coronavirus existed.  I’m referring to the destructive effects of the plague of pornography.  The American Family Association Journal observes Porn Awareness Week October 24-31 and highlights the devastating impact of pornography, not just upon society at large but also within the Christian church.

Covenanteyes.com, an online accountability resource, offers help for those battling the lure of pornography.  It cites statistics from 2018 which reveal that one in five youth pastors and one in seven senior pastors use porn regularly and are currently struggling [with addiction].  64% of Christian men and 15% of Christian women say they watch porn at least once a month.   The impact of pornography has not declined in the past three years.  Currently, 35% of all Internet downloads are porn related.

As Christians we must take seriously this often-secret sin which has become exponentially worse since the advent of the Internet and especially with the prevalence of smart phones.  Today, 95% of American teens have access to a smartphone.  And 90% of teenage porn use happens on their smartphones. 

The Journal notes that in 2019 the leading porn site created 170 years of new content and garnered 42 billion site visits, with 115 million daily visits.  And this is a single website.

Ted Shimer has written a new book, The Freedom Fight: The New Drug and the Truths That Set Us Free.  He states, “This book is for anyone who wants to know the pathway to freedom for themselves or so they can be equipped to help others.”  Thefreedomfight.org offers a biblically-based, no-cost recovery program.

If you, or others you know, struggle with this pervasive sin that is wreaking havoc in both the church and the world, I urge you to seek spiritual assistance.  Scripture commands us to “bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5).

A Critical Misdiagnosis

 

One does not have to be a news junky to be aware of the growing lawlessness and corruption that is sweeping across our land.  Open violence that is tolerated by many who advocate reducing police presence in our inner cities is a growing threat to those populations.  Outright lies are being told to influence public opinion on matters dealing with health issues and legitimate treatment options.  Retail outlets in certain parts of our country are facing a wave of theft that is generated by a refusal to prosecute criminal offenders below a certain level.  Parental rights and responsibilities are being undermined by public officials who believe they know better than moms and dads how children should be taught and disciplined.  Efforts are being made to cancel major dimensions of our history, thus preventing future generations from learning the lessons of the past.

What is the source of such aberrant behavior?  Why do humans engage in actions that ultimately harm those they profess to care most about?   What drives powerful people to espouse policies and actions that are detrimental to those they are charged with leading?  Why is our nation divided in a manner not seen since the Civil War? 

The wrong answer to these questions is at the root of what ails America these days.

In May of this year, 1000 Americans were surveyed to determine their worldview.  A key finding of this study revealed that 51% of adults claimed to have a biblical worldview.  But, in actuality, their responses indicated that just 6% actually have one.  A biblical worldview is an outlook that integrates the Christian faith into every dimension of life.  The Bible does not just address how and when we should gather for worship, it provides principles that must govern behavior 24/7.

Among the discoveries of this study is that just 33% of the 51% “believe that human beings are born with a sinful nature and can only be saved from the consequences of sin by Jesus Christ.”  That means that only about 17% of our population recognizes our inherent sinful nature and that the only cure is found in the work of Jesus Christ as Redeemer.

Throughout history, the depravity of the human heart has been on full display.  In the Old Testament era, children were offered as burnt offerings to the heathen god Moloch.  Today they are aborted from the wombs of their mothers in service to the god of personal freedom and convenience.   National leaders in ancient Israel abused their authority, led the nation astray, and brought the crushing judgment of God upon themselves and their people.

Today, we are in danger of suffering a national collapse because our collective conscience fails to recognize the inherent depravity of the human heart which can only be cured by the power of God.  So long as we blame our social ills on educational methodology, or the color of our skin, or the level of the minimum wage, or any other peripheral issue, we will never get to the root of the problem.

We are each born a sinner.  Only the power of the gospel can change the human heart so that one can begin to reflect a lifestyle that honors the God who made us.  As a church, our task is to effectively communicate the gospel message so that individuals can be changed and families can build their lives upon God’s eternal truth.  Any other foundation will crumble over the course of time. 

The Perilous Perspective of Gen Z

The current crop of teen-agers and young adults born between 1997 and 2012 has been dubbed Gen Z.  Raised on the Internet and social media, what the majority of these individuals actually believe should cause great alarm in the Christian church.  In 2018 Barna research characterized Gen Z as the “first truly post-Christian generation,” with only 4% holding to a biblical worldview.  Since then, the trends have only worsened.

A new study conducted last year collected data from 1,503 young adults ages 13 to 21 between June 15 and July 17, 2020.  From that study, Barna researchers determined that two-thirds (65%) believe that “many religions can lead to eternal life.”  This figure was up from 58% in 2018.

The moral relativism dominating this generation of young people was further seen in the fact that 31% “strongly agree” that what is “morally right and wrong changes over time, based on society”.  This number increased from 25% in 2018.  Another 43% agree “somewhat” with this perspective.

To look at the situation from a different standpoint, only 10% of those individuals surveyed “strongly disagree” that what is “morally right and wrong changes over time, based on society. 

Malachi 2:15 states that God ordained marriage because “He seeks godly offspring.”  I.e., God expects parents to have children and to raise them to know and honor Him, fully committed to a biblical worldview.  It is apparent that many professing Christians today are failing in this most critical mission.  

One of the primary tasks of the church is to encourage, support, and come alongside Christian parents to accomplish this God-given responsibility toward their children.  Obviously, the parents themselves must be absolutely committed to the unchanging authority of Scripture before they can instill this perspective in their sons and daughters.

In one of his final addresses to the nation of Israel that he had led for 40 years, Moses expressed the urgency of imparting this outlook to their children in this way: “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up” (Deut. 6:6-7).  Hence, the constant, consuming passion of parents must be to ensure their children embrace the unchanging truth of God’s revelation as the foundation for their lives.  The importance of this priority has not changed in 3500 years.

 

Christ & Covid-19

Daily, it seems, we are inundated with messages from every imaginable type of business, from banks to insurance companies to tour guides to vitamin distributors to automobile dealerships– all expressing their response to the current crisis creating havoc across our land.  Throughout the world, churches and other Christian ministries have curtailed their public activities out of a concern to cooperate with efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19 and to mitigate its potential impact upon us all.

Looking through the lens of a biblical worldview, how should Christians view this present crisis? It is easy to be driven by a fear that belies our professed faith in the Lord.  Or, on the other extreme, it is possible to ignore the present realties and act as if Christians are impervious to the potential impact of the coronavirus threat.  Neither response reflects a truly biblical perspective.  So what should we do and think?  The essence of a Christian response will include the following dimensions.

First, rest in the sovereignty of God.  The God who spoke the universe into existence continues to providentially direct the course of history.  The inception of this pandemic is no more of a disruption of God’s plan than were the Ten Plagues that rained down upon the Egyptians as a means of freeing Israel from slavery.  The Lord gave Job a strong lesson in the realities of life, reminding him that God’s infinite power, dominion, and wisdom providentially direct all that happens, from arranging the constellations of the stars to the movement of mammoth sea creatures to when mountain goats give birth.  Nothing happens in this universe apart from the sovereign will of God, including the spread of Covid-19.  Humanly speaking, the actions of Chinese government officials may have initially facilitated the spread of the virus, but ultimately God was accomplishing His purposes.

Second, recognize the fragility of life in this world.  Millions who a month ago may have been living a care-free life, without regard for the possibility of imminent sickness and death, are now overwhelmed with concern for themselves and their loved ones.  Nothing like a pandemic to bring a solid dose of a reality which has been the message of Scripture for generations!  Over 2500 years ago Isaiah declared, “All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field.  The grass withers, the flower fades, because the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely people are grass” (40:6-7).  In light of this tenuous hold on life, we should pray Moses’ words in Ps. 90, “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

Third, realize that Covid-19 is not a sign that the end is near.  There are enterprising, self-styled prophecy experts who seek to capitalize on every major upheaval in society as a sign that the “end times” have come upon us.   Newspaper editors and internet news sites have long known the axiom that “If It Bleeds, It Leads.”  I.e., sensational news stories about big trouble are a surefire way to attract readers.  And so such stories invariably make the headlines.  Given this reality, we must resist efforts to claim that this current pandemic is a sign of the end any more than were the 14^th-century plague of Black Death, the 18^th-century  Yellow Fever outbreak, the 19^th-century Cholera Pandemic, and the early 20^th-century Spanish Flu.  These periods of intense disease killed many millions.  It is estimated that the Spanish Flu alone killed at least 50 million worldwide, a number that dwarfs even worse-case scenarios for Covid-19.

And fourth, redeem the opportunities this crisis affords.  Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”  The curse of sin is manifesting itself in unusual ways these days. But we who know Christ are charged with living carefully and wisely, taking advantage of the open doors for ministry that God provides.  While we are not able to maintain “business as usual” public gatherings right now, God is still at work and using His people.  Let us be praying for His guidance in these regards and for His purposes to be accomplished.  He will be glorified through Covid-19 in ways we could not have anticipated.  Let us, therefore, remember to pray what Jesus taught us: “Hallowed be Your name. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  And remember that God works through the hearts of kings and those with civil authority (Prov. 21:1), so let us be praying for them to be filled with wise guidance as we navigate these uncharted waters.

Thankful for the Pilgrims

Recently I watched a series of student interviews at a “Christian” college in the Midwest.  They were asked whether it is appropriate to celebrate Thanksgiving.  The vast majority answered negatively, citing concerns about oppression and colonization.  The few that affirmed the holiday did so only as it pertains to the joys of feasting and family gatherings, apart from any historical significance.  Clearly, these students were ignorant of the real history of Thanksgiving and demonstrate the impact of indoctrination by “enlightened” high school teachers and college professors.  If such a perspective dominates the next generation we are not only in danger of losing our true history but also of squandering the freedoms upon which our nation was founded.

As I write, it is Thanksgiving Day 2019, a year before the 400^th anniversary of the arrival of the Pilgrims in the New World.  On this day I am most thankful for the blessings of salvation through the finished work of Christ.  I am thankful for the joys of family and the fellowship with other like-minded Christian believers.  And I am thankful for the steadfast faith, love, and courage that motivated the 102 Pilgrims to sail across the Atlantic and establish a beachhead of Christian civilization in North America.

Nearly half died in the terrible rigors of that first year in the New World.  Still, they struggled on, driven by a love for God and desire to establish a civilization where their descendants could freely serve the Lord.  H.U. Westermayer has observed, “The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than homes.  No Americans have been more impoverished than these, who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving.”

Yes, they planned a time to publicly declare their gratitude to the Lord for His blessings upon them in that first year.  Despite the hardships, they were filled with praise to the God they served.   The 53 survivors were joined by 90 Indians from a nearby village.  Together they feasted and celebrated.  God used the natives to provide instruction and assistance on how to survive in the wilderness.  The thought of colonial oppression did not cross their minds.  Attributing such motivation to the Pilgrims reflects the distortion of warped minds devoted to rewriting history by attributing to the Pilgrims the sins of their descendants

Gov. William Bradford described their mentality before sailing from Europe: “They knew they were pilgrims, and lifted up their eyes to the heavens, their dearest country, and quieted their spirits”.  The future was uncertain, but their trust was in the God who would guide their voyage and the initial settlement at Plymouth.  Such an example inspires us to persevere in the face of life’s challenges four centuries later.

Disengaging from the Bible

Research released recently by Barna indicates that approximately one-half of American adults (48%) are “Bible disengaged.”  I.e. such people interact with the Bible infrequently, if at all.  It has minimal impact upon their lives.   Furthermore, more than one-third (35%) never use the Bible in 2019.  On the other end of the spectrum, only 5% (down from 9% last year) are “Bible centered,” meaning they frequently interact with the Bible so that its truth concretely shapes their relationships and choices.

These numbers are more than merely academic.  The lifestyles of many reflect the real consequences of ignoring the revelation of their Creator.  The breakdown of families, the scourge of drug addition, the proliferation of pornography, the plague of gender-dysphoria, and the unending violence are all the fruit of a society that has turned its back upon God. 

It is easy to complain about the nature of the politicians that represent us locally and nationally.   The lack of character and the absence of wisdom and integrity are endemic among the political class.  Many espouse certain perspectives on the campaign trail that seem to evaporate when established in office.  But the reality is that the paucity of honor and moral strength among our politicians is ultimately merely a reflection of the populace that elected them.

Consider from where we have fallen.  American statesman Daniel Webster (1850-1852) captured the essence of the Pilgrims’ worldview: “Finally, let us not forget the religious character of our origin. Our fathers were brought hither by their high veneration for the Christian religion. They journeyed by its light, and labored in its hope. They sought to incorporate its principles with the elements of their society, and to diffuse its influence through all their institutions, civil, political, or literary. Let us cherish these sentiments, and extend this influence still more widely; in the full conviction, that that is the happiest society which partakes in the highest degree of the mild and peaceful spirit of Christianity.”

If there is hope for America it will be found in emulating the spirit of our Pilgrim forefathers.  In our homes, our schools, our governments, and our churches, we must recapture a love for the Word of God and make it the supreme arbiter of moral and spiritual truth.   

Unless the core values of our nation change, we will continue on the fast track to societal and national disintegration.  As Christians, we must pursue the truth of God’s Word as our greatest passion in life.  And that truth will govern how we spend our time, how we vote, how we train our children, how we worship, and what our expectations are of the future.

Evangelism: The Urgency and Necessity

Among the core Christian beliefs is the existence of a place called heaven and the horrific reality of hell.  When time has expired, every person will find himself in one place or the other.  The fact that many choose to ignore this truth in no way lessens the gravity of the prospect.

Scripture unambiguously charges those who know the truth to share that life-changing message with those still in unbelief.  The message of the gospel sets men free, and we are to shine as lights in this dark world (Phil. 2:15).  We are to make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19).  We are to be witnesses for Christ to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8).  And we are to follow the example of Paul and pray with burdened hearts that the lost may be saved (Rom. 10:1).  Those who fill this vital role as bearers of the truth are lauded in Isaiah 52:7: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation …”  There is no function in life of greater importance than being a bearer of the message of salvation through Christ alone.

Yet, in the changing cultural landscape of the Christian church, evangelism is becoming increasingly ignored, even opposed.  Barna research recently released the results of a study which found that almost half (47%) of Millennials agreed at least somewhat that it is wrong to share one’s personal beliefs with someone of a different faith in hopes that they will one day share the same faith.  These same Millennials indicated that they are confident in how to respond when their faith is questioned.  But they are quite reticent to do so.

Among older Christians – Boomers and Elders – only about 20% hold to a negative view of sharing their faith for the purpose of evangelism.  So the perspective is definitely tied to one’s generational standing.  But given the waning influence of senior believers and the growing impact of the youthful outlook, this development is of serious concern for the future of the Christian church. 

The Old Testament illustrates what happens when a generation drifts from the core beliefs of their parents (Judges 2:10).  The sorry events recorded in the subsequent chapters of that book serve as stark reminders of the importance of both holding to the faith and passing it on to others.

The Christian’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.  One cannot carry out that mandate and keep the faith buttoned up inside.

Who Really Is Jesus Christ?

One would think that of all people in the United States, evangelical Christians would get this question right.  But one would be wrong to make that assumption.

Ligonier’s 2018 State of Theology survey reveals evangelicals’ reaction to the statement: “Jesus is the first and greatest being created by God.”  73% strongly agreed; just 14% strongly disagreed.

These results reveal the abysmal state of Christological understanding among the great majority of professing evangelicals.  If the full spectrum of professing Christians were surveyed, doubtless the results would be even worse.  The assumption typically is that the theological acumen of evangelicals is markedly better than nominal Christianity as a whole.  But in this case there is no good news.

The nature of the person of Christ was the subject of intense debate in the early centuries of the Christian church, leading to the development of the Nicene Creed in 325 and further refined and expanded at the Council of Chalcedon in 451.  Part of the Nicene Creed declares that Jesus Christ is “very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father.”

The statement proposed in the State of Theology survey reflects the ancient heresy taught by Arius in the 4^th century, who viewed the Son of God as being created by the Father and therefore less than fully God.  It is the same deviation from the truth promulgated today by the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

If Jesus was not, as the Council of Chalcedon declared, “perfect in Godhead and also perfect in manhood, truly God and also truly man,” then He was not capable of paying the infinite price necessary to redeem us from our sin.

Clearly the 21^st century church has much work to do in refuting the ancient heresies which have begun to reemerge among our ranks.  So much of Christian preaching and teaching is currently focused on practical matters of how to deal with life’s day-to-day crises that we are losing the critical center of our faith.  If the Son of God is not co-equal with the Father and with the Holy Spirit then we have lost the essence of the Christian faith.  Without the Trinity, lesser issues fade into insignificance.

Forty-Five Years and Counting

To the GCF Family:

Sunday, September 16, 2018 marks the 45^th anniversary of the formation of the new church body which would eventually become Grace Christian Fellowship, a member congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America.  Some of you have been involved since the beginning.  Most of you have joined the church family in the years since.

The vision driving the founding of this church was a desire to remain true to the orthodox teachings of the Christian faith in the face of theological liberalism infiltrating the mainline Presbyterian Church.  Today, the inroads of compromise and lack of theological integrity continue to plague organized Christianity across our land.  Pressures from secular society are taking a toll on numerous denominations.  Rather than standing for biblical orthodoxy, many choose the path of capitulation and compromise, leading to churches that gradually are losing their Christian distinctives.

Semper Reformanda, Reformed and always reforming, has been the battle cry of churches in the heritage of the Protestant Reformation.  This phrase doesn’t mean that we are always to be adapting to the latest trends and demands of secular society.  Rather, the focus of these two Latin words is that churches must be continually striving to re-orient our beliefs to the absolute authority of Scripture.  

The human tendency is to compromise.  The burden of such Reformed churches is that our beliefs and practices must continually be brought back into line with the Word of God.  And that is our goal at Grace Christian Fellowship.  Our loyalty is not ultimately to the traditions of the past but to the abiding relevance of God’s eternal truth in the Bible.

As we look to the future, let us pray and work and serve together so that in the years to come we will remain true to our founding vision.  There is much work to be done to honor the name of Jesus Christ and to address the evident needs of the tri-state area in which we live.  Thousands of people in our neighborhoods lack a fundamental understanding of the gospel of salvation by grace alone, through Christ alone.  Let us pray for increased zeal that we may more effectively be “blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom [we] shine as lights in the world” (Phil. 2:15).

God has gifted each of you to contribute to the ministry of this congregation.  Let us encourage each other as we serve the Lord together.  May God’s hand of blessing rest upon our labors so that much fruit is produced for His glory.

American Christianity and the Dodo Bird

     If you listen to many voices in the mainstream media, it is only a matter of time before American Christianity goes the way of long-extinct Dodo bird.  We’re told that this nation is following in the secularizing footsteps of Western Europe where many once-prominent churches have become museums instead of houses of worship.

     A recent article touted this headline: “The Percentage of Young Adults with No Religious Affiliation Has Nearly Quadrupled Since 1986.”  If accurate, that’s scary, because the future of Christianity requires the passing on of the faith to each succeeding generation.  It appears there is a breakdown in this process.

     But upon further examination, the picture is not nearly so dire.  Earlier this year Harvard University published research that clearly demonstrates that America is a strong “exceptional outlier” to the secularization pattern that has happened elsewhere.  Yes, mainline denominations are in precipitous decline.  Churches that deny the historicity of Jesus, the reality of sin, the biblical view of marriage as only between two heterosexual adults, and ordain homosexual clergy are rapidly hemorrhaging members, many of whom are choosing churches that continue to stand for the orthodox and historic Christian faith.  In contrast, our own denomination, the Presbyterian Church in America, has continued a pattern of slow, consistent growth, with an increase in total membership each of the last four years. 

     People are demonstrating with their feet that they care about theology and real, practical Christianity.  It’s a simple reality that those churches which have forsaken orthodox, biblical theology are experiencing dramatic decline.

     What of the rapid growth of the youthful “nones” – young adults with no religious connection?  Research indicates that of those young people who left the faith, only 11 percent said they had a strong faith in childhood.  The remaining 89 percent indicated that they came from a home where there was a weak adherence to faith and practice.  As one observer commented, “It’s not a news flash that kids don’t tend to hang onto what they never had in the first place.”

     The facts demonstrate that there remains a strong, vibrant Christian community in America.  The Harvard research found that the percentage of Americans who attend church more than weekly, pray daily, and believe the Bible to be a wholly reliable guide for their lives has remained absolutely consistent for at least the past 50 years.  And this is not a tiny percentage.  One-third of Americans pray multiple times a day – this in stark contrast to the average in other countries of one in 15.  Moreover, those who take their faith seriously, as a percentage of all religious people, have grown from 39 percent in 1989 to the current 47 percent.

     The bottom line is that God continues to build a strong Christian presence in this nation.  But that is no reason for complacency.  Instead, these trends highlight the urgency for Christian parents to devote themselves with renewed vigor to the mandate of Deuteronomy 6: “These words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children . . .”  And if you want your church to grow, remain unalterably committed to the historic Christian faith taught in the New Testament and recovered during the Reformation.

Descending toward Destruction

The Apostle Peter reminds his readers that God used the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah as an object lesson for the future of humanity.  The text states that God turned the cities into ashes, “making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly” (2 Pet. 2:6).  In other words, if individuals, cities, or even whole nations, choose to live in a manner that flagrantly violates the moral law of God, they can expect similar treatment.  Now, as the Creator, God has many means at His disposal.  In the case of these two cities, He used fire and brimstone.  In the case of the Canaanites, He used Israel’s army.  Upon His own people, He used a plague of disease.  The means is inconsequential.  The divine purpose in doing so is unambiguous: to drive humanity to fear the Lord and to walk in His ways. We cannot devote ourselves to sinful lifestyles without suffering inevitable consequences.

In America today there is an urgent need to reconsider the lesson of Sodom and Gomorrah.  Recently a random sample of 1,000 adults was asked about certain family-related behaviors.  Large majorities endorsed such behaviors, either because they regard the actions as “morally acceptable” or because they don’t even rise to the level of being a moral issue.  In the latter perspective, the thinking is that each person can define right or wrong for himself as there is no absolute standard. 

Examples include the following: getting a divorce is acceptable to 77% of the respondents; sexual intercourse between unmarried male and female adults was approved by 71%; having a baby outside of marriage was acceptable to 69%, and viewing pornographic pictures and videos was unobjectionable to 58%.

George Barna, who directed the research, further noted that at least 15% and as much as 40% of American adults do not consider such behavior a moral issue at all.  These people believe they are free to do whatever is right in their own eyes, with no divine disapproval to be concerned about.

Beyond the concrete example that the destruction of these two cities presents is the general warning in Galatians 6:7: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”  God has revealed His mind in the Scriptures for our benefit.  Let us take heed and proclaim this truth to our land while God grants us more time to repent and turn to Him for forgiveness and salvation through Christ.

The Christian Response to Overt Evil

As Americans, and as Christians, we are reeling from the massacre at First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, TX on Sunday.  We have more questions than answers.  We grieve for this tiny community which lost so many lives in an attack driven by unadulterated evil.

Last month these words of John Calvin, from nearly 5 centuries ago, came to my attention.  They remain sound advice for us who face tragedies of our own time.  In 2 Samuel 1 King David is grieving the loss of King Saul and his son, David’s beloved friend Jonathan.  Expanding upon the Scriptural account, Calvin comments as follows.

We can see how God is afflicting the world today. Even people who are strangers to us are related to us, because we are all made in the image of God, and have a common nature which should be a mutual bond of love and brotherhood. Then there is a far closer union between ourselves and the suffering of believers who are scattered here and there in all churches which God has chastened on every side.

Indeed, we see troubles everywhere; we see fires burning; we hear that the throats of poor innocent people have been cut; that they have been subjected to mockery and contempt, and that they are being led to the slaughter. We see the enemies of truth ready to annihilate everything, and we do not know what God is intending to do. Nevertheless, see how his sword is unsheathed. The fire, as I have said, is kindled and we do not know how far it will burn.

Let us thus allow ourselves to be genuinely touched by mourn­ing, anxiety and grief so that we will not be careless, hardened, or unfeeling over what our poor brothers are going through. Instead, let us have the kind of compassion towards them which members of the same body owe to one another. On the other hand, let us not give way to despair, like those who have become so grieved and full of lamentation that they refuse the remedy of consolation in God. Rather, let us confess our sins, knowing that our savior has not ceased to pour out his blessings upon us, even though we have sinned. Then, in the midst of our sorrows, let us recognize all our offenses so that he may show himself merciful to us, as he always has done to those who clearly take refuge in him.  (John Calvin, Sermon on 2 Samuel 1, 1562).

The conflict with evil has not abated in 500 years.  May God help us to “mourn with those who mourn” while maintaining our confidence in the Lord’s sovereign purposes.  Let us support in our prayers those who have experienced such tragic loss at the hands of a madman.  And let us not fail to recognize the fragile grip we have on life in this world, how quickly it can be shattered, and how vital it is to make each moment count in light of eternity to come.

The Cure for Doubt

A recent Barna research release indicates that approximately two-thirds of Christians have or currently face periods of doubt with regard to their faith and relationship with the Lord.  Precedent for dominating doubt goes all the way back to the first century,  One of Jesus’ specially chosen apostles would be forever nick-named “Doubting Thomas” because he refused to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead until he could personally see and touch him.

According to church tradition, Thomas overcame his doubts and eventually took the Gospel of Christ to the Indian subcontinent in AD 52, ministering in what are the present-day states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. There he baptized the first Christians of that region, founding what is now known as the Mar Thoma Church. 

How should Christians today deal with their doubts?  We no longer have the Lord physically present to reassure our wavering faith and dispel our doubts as did the Apostle Thomas.  But we do have a secure foundation upon which to rest our faith, quell our fears, and satisfy our questions.  And that is the biblical revelation of the character and purposes of God.

The Apostle Paul encouraged the Thessalonian Christians that God would ensure their establishment in the faith.  Furthermore, He would protect them from the onslaught of attacks from the evil one, designed to disrupt and destroy their faith in the Lord (2 Thess. 3:3).  Similarly, the Apostle Jude, using the same Greek word, assures his readers that God is able to keep them from stumbling in their faith and to eventually present them in a sinless, perfected state on the Day of Resurrection.

Left to our own strength and wills, we would have reason to worry and doubt our ability to follow the Lord to the end of this earthly pilgrimage.  But, thankfully, our long-term spiritual welfare rests upon the promises God has made to His own, not upon our own ability to navigate the temptations and spiritual minefields of this world.  So take heart, Christian, our faithful God will never give up on you.

A Reason for Optimism

One would have to be living in a remote location untouched by the media to fail to grasp the seemingly inexorable drift into depravity which has overtaken our society in recent decades.  While we were always a nation of sinners, that sin is now more open and embraced than ever before.   In many ways our moral code has been turned on its head, with large segments of society embracing lifestyles which were once nearly universally condemned as evil

But a survey of 2,030 Americans from all fifty states, conducted by the American Bible Society during January and February of this year, provides some reason for hope.  81 percent of those surveyed stated their belief that morals are declining in America, a 5 percent increase from 2016.  39 percent blame corporate greed; 33 percent consider the entertainment industry the problem.  But 27 percent say it is due to lack of Bible reading.

Half of Americans are considered “Bible users,” and 81 percent are “Bible engaged,” “Bible friendly” or “Bible neutral” in contrast to the 19 percent that are either “Bible skeptic” or “Bible antagonistic.”  Moreover, 70 percent of Americans are confident the Bible can bring hope to America, as opposed to the 30% who place that hope in the president of the United States.

Presently 20 percent of Americans are “Bible engaged,” meaning they view the Bible as the inspired word of God and read the Bible at least four times a week.  38 percent are “Bible friendly,” who consider it God’s word but read it fewer than four times a week.  And there is some evidence that Bible skepticism may be declining.

Overall, we need greater engagement with the Word of God which is indeed “sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit” (Heb. 4:12).  God’s truth makes plain the subtleties of sin and the deceptions of evil that have blinded men to the truth.  It is also the means by which God brings spiritual life to the lost souls of men and women (Rom. 10:17) and fully transforms them thereafter (John 17:17).

There should be no more important objective in your life than filling your mind with a steady diet of God’s word.  These days, Bible reading competes with texts, tweets, instant messages, and the lure of the information society that constantly woos us.  Caring for the state of your eternal soul calls upon you to prioritize time in God’s word on a daily basis.  Don’t sell your soul for the Pablum of the world when you can dine on that which is “sweeter than honey,” on truth that will endure forever.