Secularism and the 21st Century Church (Psalm 12 Devotional)
“Help me Lord, for the Godly man ceases to be, for the faithful disappear from among the sons of men.” - Psalm 12:1
We are living in a strange time in the 21st century Church in the West. Since the enlightenment and the philosophical shift that began about the time our country was forming, society began to slowly turn away from the church as the authority to a secular, individualistic, subjective mind-set. The influence of the church and its leaders’ impact on society has been diminishing ever since.
In Europe there has been a near utter collapse of the impact of church on general society. The lands of Luther, Calvin, Wycliffe, Spurgeon, and other pillars of the church age faith have fallen to secular philosophy and general humanistic mind-set.
And in the USA, the 21st century is likely to be the century where America goes from being a self-proclaiming Christian nation, into the abyss of secularism.
What will that mean? Many things, of course, but several important ones. First, the church, the Bible and its teachings will no longer be accepted as authoritative. This has already largely happened. For a Christian to tell their friends “the Bible says” may have the same impact as saying “the Koran says” or Confucius says” or “Aesop's Fables says”. We have already largely gotten there. The Bible no longer carries the weight of general acceptance in society. Secondly, when believers cite the authority of the Scriptures as absolute truth, they will be viewed as intolerant, bigoted and arrogant (and probably deluded). We are far down that path as well.
So, what are we to do? For one, we must be as Jesus said, wise as serpents and as gentle as doves when dealing in secular circles. We must, as much as any generation that has gone before us, know what the Bible says and understand it. Though it is not accepted as ‘gospel’ or ‘inspired’ or ‘infallible,’ it is still all of those; in addition to being a living, breathing book that is like a 2-edged sword, dividing soul and spirit. It is still the living word of God, even if it is not generally accepted as that.
Second, we need to be the church - the very hands and feet of Christ in our culture.
My pastor has often said, ‘We don’t just GO to church, we ARE the church.’
We need to be people who when society is asked, “what are Christians like?” instead of saying hypocritical, judgmental, self-righteous, prigs, they say the Christians I know are gracious, kind, humble - not judgmental, but speak the truth. They love others, even those who hate them, and they do much good in our neighborhoods, schools and communities. They are inspired and inspiring, hard-working, faithful and diligent. And more than anything, they really truly love one another.
How can this happen? Only through our vital, alive and vibrant relationship with the One from whom our title comes. Christians. Christ-ones. Only as He pours in and through us can that happen. Society is already skeptical of the church. It may turn downright hateful of it. It may in this century begin to persecute it. But, as in the 1st century, it will not be our political lobby, our judgement of other’s sins or having the loudest voice that will ultimately win souls to Christ; but it will be our lives that have personally been transformed more and more into the image and likeness of Christ.
It is us being transformed by the renewing of our minds and having hearts of stone replaced with a heart of flesh that will lead people to our Savior. Then, even amid persecution, when it seems that there are no godly ones left, we will be able to say, ‘My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly trust in Jesus Name.’
Questions for Thought:
How do you think non-churched people perceive Christians in this country?
How has the church either countered or confirmed those views?
How does Christ call his followers to engage with people who don’t believe in Him?
