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Friday, May 25, 2007

American Christianity Sliding into Dangerous Territory

OneNewsNow reports on a Barna group finding that Christianity in America is slipping into a "Laodicean" spiritual state:

The survey director says most Americans seem to have one foot in the "biblical camp" and one foot outside it -- placing themselves in what Kinnaman refers to as a "squishy middle."

"They say they are committed, but to what?" he asks. "They are spiritually active, but to what end? The spiritual profile of American Christianity is not unlike a lukewarm church that the Bible warns about." (Revelation 3:14-22)

Jesus says to the church in Laodicea, "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth."

Doesn't sound good, does it? That wishy-washy, neither-hot-nor-cold...what does that sound like? Does that sound like these much-lauded "moderates" to you? It certainly does to me.

It also sounds like these people--Christians included--who take a buffet-style approach to life and truth and spirituality. But truth isn't just something you can pick and choose. It is or it isn't, and if you're on the wrong side of the truth, you're in trouble.

Despite what pop society tells you today, Jesus never was and never will be "tolerant" or "moderate." Full of grace and love? Oh yeah! But when it comes to a heart-attitude that really isn't concerned with seeking the truth, it's His way or the highway.

He proved that with the statement from Revelation above. Also when he said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." And "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."

These results are not a big surprise, sadly, given the non-stop barrage of Christian ridicule from the media, minimization of religion from the government, and the pathetic silence from many who do take their faith seriously but are afraid of what people might say if they are open about their faith. Plus a pervasive culture that takes God's grace for granted and believes "all roads lead to heaven."

Can the trend be turned around? I believe so. But not if Christians keep sitting on their hands, or sitting in the mushy middle.


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