The Decline of Cultural Christianity: A Necessary Pruning
For decades, the United States has been experiencing a decline in the number of people identifying as Christians. This trend has sparked alarm and concern among many, with some proclaiming the death of American Christianity. However, this narrative is misleading and premature.
Clarifying the State of Christianity
As Ed Stetzer pointed out in 2015, “Christianity isn’t collapsing; it’s being clarified.” The decline in nominal Christians and the rise of the “nones” (those who identify as religiously unaffiliated) is not a cause for alarm. Instead, it’s an opportunity for the Church to rediscover its true identity and purpose.
The Problem with Cultural Christianity
For too long, American Christianity has been conflated with national identity. This has led to a distorted form of Christianity that emphasizes family values, moralism, and good citizenship above all else. This “Moralistic Therapeutic Deism” has created a false sense of security and comfort, rather than challenging believers to live out their faith in radical obedience to Christ.
A Necessary Pruning
The decline of cultural Christianity is a necessary pruning away of the mutant and neutered forms of the faith. As Terry Eagleton observes, Christianity is fundamentally disruptive to polite society and the powers-that-be. It’s a call to live a life of sacrifice, love, and service to others – not a means to achieve social status or comfort.
Embracing the True Gospel
The true Gospel is not a message of convenience or comfort. It’s a call to die to oneself and follow Christ, no matter the cost. As C.S. Lewis wrote, “I didn’t go to religion to make me happy. I always knew a bottle of Port would do that. If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity.”
A New Era for the Church
As the Church navigates this new era, it’s essential to remember that following Christ is not about achieving a certain status or comfort level. It’s about embracing the difficult aspects of the faith and living out our lives in radical obedience to Christ. The decline of cultural Christianity is not a cause for alarm; it’s an opportunity for the Church to rediscover its true identity and purpose.
Conclusion: A Call to Radical Obedience
As the Church moves forward, it’s essential to prioritize radical obedience to Christ above all else. This means embracing the difficult aspects of the faith, living out our lives in sacrifice and service to others, and proclaiming the true Gospel to a world in need. The decline of cultural Christianity is not the end of the Church; it’s a new beginning – a chance to rediscover our true identity and purpose as followers of Christ.
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