The Church is experiencing a major wave of persecution. The church is additionally experiencing a major exodus from church attendance. Cathedrals to Campuses are emptying. But why? Are many falling away from the faith? Has Christianity gone into decline? The answer is no. The reason many have fled the celestial domed cathedral and the concert staged campus churches is simple: God is not there. Religion and the pomp of piety is there, but the presence of The Father, Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit is not there. Even if God does show up, it is timed and the teacher with all his exegeses takes over.
The Church has lost a grip for seven reasons. The First is corruption. Churches are not preaching the Gospel as it is written in the Scriptures, but rather a "prosperity doctrine" that says if you follow Jesus you shall have justice and perpetual joy for the rest of your days. The verse, "I came that you may have life abundantly," (John 10:10) is twisted into a materialism message; that God will bless you financially and never let you suffer through trials or if you do go through a bump in the road, the Lord will fix the road quickly. Tied to the Prosperity doctrine is the "Faith Movement" or the "Name it and claim it" ideology that claims if someone says, "that mason will be mine," it will happen. The Faith movement is misguided and it makes the creation command the Creator like a child. In contrast to the claims of the "Name it and Claim it" doctrine and the Prosperity Churches, Christ said, "If anyone wants to become my disciple they must deny themselves, pick up their cross (suffer), and follow me." (Matthew 16:24). Our Lord additionally adds, "All nations will hate your for my sake," (Mark 13:13, cross ref. Luke 21:17) and "Everyone will hate you because of me, but those who endure to the end shall be saved." (Matthew 10;22). This does not paint the picture of prosperity materially or favor that includes minimal or no suffering.
The Second reason the Church is losing a grip is transition. We are returning to the Apostolic Roots of the Faith, where churches are in houses and are communities (not called community churches, but a real, living and breathing family of faith in Christ). This has changed outreach and how the body of Christ functions. There is no need to fund a building, because everyone opens there homes to each other, which in turn actually makes people bond better. I become closer to someone if I have eaten with them in their own home, and gotten to see their hospitality and the things they surround themselves with (i.e. art and etc).
The Third reason the Church is losing a grip is outside opposition. The forces of Humanism, Darwinism, Nihilism, and other religions using the apparatus of liberalism are pushing the Church's influence into a corner. Churches can no longer display religious symbols in town squares or lead prayers are civic events. The Church's sphere of influence on an official level has been removed from academic (schools), judicial, and even social plains. There are Christian Bookstores and films from Pureflix, but it is contained in a "bubble, where only Christians travel to, and does not influence the outside world much." (Pastor Eric Smith). This isolating of the Church's influence to a private sector has diminished the influence of believers in areas that actually can change a country, state, or town.
The Fourth reason the Church is losing a grip is that it is clinging to old cymbals. While there is much tradition and history worthy of being preserved for future generations, many churches cling to the Founder of their denomination, such as Wesley Brothers, St. Francis, or Martin Luther. This makes it impossible to go forward, and be next plowers who make a change for Christ, which is actually what those men and women throughout the Church Age have done and why many still cling to their revelations and rites. While "throwing the baby out with bath water," is not wise, there are hymns, homilies, symbols, practices like the Stations of the Cross, and more that are worth keeping, many churches are unwilling to reform and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit for the 21 Century. An example of a good reform, would be to let the Catholic Clergy marry like the Orthodox Clergy and reserve celibacy for monks and nuns.
The Fifth reason the Church is losing a grip is the perception of culture. There is a perception Christianity is trapped in a time period such as 30 A.D. or the Middle Ages. The Church has failed to retain the beauty and truths of these periods and bring them into the modern era. The Scripture says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." (Hebrews 13:8). People need to know they can touch (relate to) the Trinity today, now. and at this moment and fellowship with the Maker and Savior on a daily basis. While there are elements that will never change such as God's nature and the acts that took place on the Cross and at the Tomb; God is relating to people in the time periods in which they live. The Bible is not dated historical text, but it is the alive, living, and breathing Word of God that has relevance today as it did two thousand years ago; it may have even more relevant today because the End Times prophecies in Revelation, Matthew 24, and more are being fulfilled today.
The issue is not so much that we need to evolve. The Scriptures contains all we need to know and believe; with the Holy Spirit helping expand our understanding and relationship with the Triune God. We are not to lay aside what has happened before in ages past; no those events are relevant today! Jesus Christ's death on cross and His resurrection from the grave are pillars of the Gospel. Those pillars must be preached, believed, and accepted. The words in the Bible are for all time, useful today; and as St. Paul says, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.." (2 Timothy 3:16). The Scriptures should be read regularly to strengthen our faith and help us understand what it means to follow Jesus. The problem is that for over four hundred years churches have been preoccupied with filling pews and not ministering to people's needs. We want to see a building full, but what about the hearts of those people? We are suppose to be "loving one another, the way Christ first loved us." (John 15:12). And yet there is such division and enmity between believers.
Reason six for why the Church is losing a grip is division. We have become so divided over our doctrines; so nasty of non-essentials, that we help the devil deceive seekers that we are no different than the world. The pity squabbles and schisms have made the church a laughing stock to people and given a bad witness for Jesus Christ. As Gandhi said, "I love your Christ, but I do not like your Christians." Sadly, Gandhi wanted to convert to Christianity, but some very misguided and mean believers told him he could not join their congregation. How many times has the church missed the opportunity to save and make a new Martin Luther or Ignatius of Loyola? How often have we closed the door to a country that wants Christ's love because of our ceaseless contempt for one another?!
The Seventh and Final reason the Church is losing a grip is fulfillment of prophecy. The words of our Lord Jesus Christ indicate not many people will be left alive before He returns; For He says, "When the Son of Man returns will he find faith?" (Luke 18:8) and "If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.." (Matthew 24:22). This paints a very bleak future, one where death will be prevalent. Upon studying Revelation, one can find the following equation: 1/4 of world dies, then 1/2 of the world dies, and finally 1/3 of the world dies. That leaves very few left to populate the Earth before Emmanuel comes on the Clouds.
The Church does not need to despair, it need to remember. The Church is not a building, place, or denomination. It is the Body of Believers; the community of Christ followers! We need to not be afraid, but trust in Jesus Christ in these tough days ahead. Do not despair, but be prepared for the Coming of our Lord! Adopt St. Paul attitude, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21). If we are to stay alive, we can minister Christ to people, if we die we go to be with Christ. Either way is a win and until when Christ Returns we should be busy about reaching souls and being a family of faith.
Comments
Post a Comment