No Faith, No Hope

A recent Gallup Poll about religion discovered that the number of people in the United States declaring themselves religious has dropped about 50% since 2005. In fact atheism is up about 5%. What’s behind this fall from grace?

One major factor is that many churches are chasing the modern trends of liberalism rather than being rooted in a core of biblical beliefs. Take for example the Episcopal Church of America, a member of the Anglican community. The church’s legislative body has approved a ceremony for same-sex marriage (so too have many other mainline protestant churches). They have adopted this measure to show that we are “all God’s children.” The Bible however denies this saying “In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God (1 John 3:10).  Homosexuality is not a righteous act (1 Corinthians 6:9, 10).

They have also removed barriers for transgendered people to serve as priests. During the debate on this issue one bishop cautioned that this would bring about theological confusion. Another responded that confusion is precisely what was needed! At a communion service to celebrate their victory, a lesbian bishop recited a prayer thanking “the Spirit of Life” for “disordering our boundaries.” She then asked the non-patriarchal spectre “to feel” his/her own “laughter.” God may be laughing, but not in the way the bishop may think.

I’m not making fun of homosexuals, but I am making fun at the way liberal Christians are running like lemmings off the cliff of progressive thought in many areas of sound doctrine. Remember Wile E. Coyote from the old Warner Brothers cartoons? One of these days liberal, non-biblical Christians are going to look down and realize that there is no ground under their feet. Swoosh!

But don’t bust your shirt buttons yet conservatives, your churches are losing ground too. According to a major study by Robert Putnam of Harvard and David Cambell of Notre Dame, all organized religion in the US is in decline. Is this good news for atheists? Not necessarily. The authors of the study coin a new term for the growing numbers leaving the church. They are the “Nones” (as in check which religion you are - Catholic, Protestant, Orhtodox, None). The “Nones” do not belong to a church, but they believe in God. And the “Nones” are mostly young people who disagree with the biblical teaching on homosexuality and chaff at a Christianity married to conservative political values.

These “Nones” are not joining liberal churches; they are not going to church at all. According to the study “Nones” believe that God exists and that He wants us all to play nice. God is concerned about our being happy. He plays the role of a divine butler or cosmic therapist and is never judgmental. And so I understand dropping out of the church scene. If God is nothing more than a spiritual bell-hop why get out of bed on Sunday morning? Hey, Lord, bring me a Latte.

But here’s the rub. It seems that some “Nones” are discovering that their “spirituality” cannot give them the hope they need to really understand life and live above the level of shallow pop culture. They do not have the inner strength to endure trials and suffering. With no deep Scriptural faith in the God of the Bible, the Father of Jesus Christ, they find themselves “having no hope and without God in the world (Ephesians 2:12).”

But where will those who have a “come to Jesus moment” go? Will they find godly nourishment in churches that have traded in the will of God for a pot of progressive ideals? What is needed is a church where faith is rooted in Holy Scripture. In Jeremiah 6:16 the Word of God declares. “… ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls.”

If you are in the Chicago, IL area you are welcome, on Sunday mornings, to visit the church I pastor, Grace Ministry International. For those of you outside of greater Chicago you are welcome to visit our web site (www.graceministryinternational.org) and help yourself to the many biblical teachings there. I suggest you begin with “The Powerful Christian Living” class. This is a foundational class on the Bible offered free of charge. The class link is at the top of the “Teachings” page.