| I don't think that a whole lot of you read the article for comprehension. It's basically saying that some evangelicals are going all Chicken Little and saying that the future looks bleak for the Bible-believing population, given a lack of enthusiasm among youth. It is skeptical of this idea and insinuates that it may be a form of artificial persecution.
Anyway, having actually read the article, I wanted to make a few observations:
1.) All of the people in the article who are saying that Christianity is in trouble are themselves Christians.
2.) All of the people in the article who argue this and say that evangelical Christianity has enviable drawing power are non-Christians.
3.) The above to me most indicate that relative numbers aren't the real issue. What it really says to me is that culture is polarizing. The more strongly someone feels something (or opposes something!), the more someone who disagrees feels persecuted and ganged up on.
4.) The article makes a point that I very much agree with: a.)there is a difference between cultural Christians and conscious Christians (my distinctions for those who are "raised Christian" but don't put a lot of thought in it and those who make a conscious decision in view of evidence to become a Christian and live it) and b.) depending on whom you define to be a "true Christian", your numbers will be skewed. In short, there is no real objective way to measure the numbers of "true Christians", so surveys like the one mentioned are entirely useless.
5.) This is what I really see happening in re numbers. Granted, this is my opinion and observation, liable to the same problems I mentioned above.
a.) I think that the number of out and out athiests and anti-Christians is increasing and that they are becoming more vocal. The leaders take advantage of a feeling of persecution.
b.) I think that the number of conscious Christians is increasing and that they are becoming more vocal. Contrary to the beliefs of old white men, MOST of these are coming from the youth of today. The old white men (who are often skin deep Christians) try to take advantage of this and perpetuate a feeling of persecution.
6.) Persecution is not bad. It tends to weed out the wishy washy and strengthen the committed.
7.) Fake persecution is bad. As soon as the illusion disappears, people become more apathetic than before.
8.) With both sides pushing a persecution idea, it may not matter if it started out as fake or not because as people polarize more and more, and believe themselves persecuted, real persecution may be just around the corner.
9.) Megachurches mean nothing. They do more to hurt real Christianity than help it.
10.) Political clout means nothing. It does more to hurt real Christianity than help it.
11.) While throwing out cultural trash is the excision of a symptom, they are missing the real cause. Acting all high and mighty won't get anyone anywhere, and they're not addressing the heart issues that lead to true Christlike living at all.
12.) Being a Christian is not a matter of getting rid of the world's merchendise and buying cross swag. I find this a crass marketing scheme.
13.) A good many conscious Christians will maintain their faith throughout their lives. In this cultural climate, however, cultural Christians will begin not to.
14.) The US is being secularized, just as Europe has been for a long time. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. I would prefer that it be more difficult to be a cultural Christian. They give the rest of us a bad rap.
Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. -- Song 8:6 |