Can A Secular Christianity Survive?

The landscape of Christianity has changed very drastically in the past few years. Churches have progressed and grown more in the last 20 years or so more than ever in the history of the modern day church. It is not uncommon for churches to have thousands of members and very lavished buildings and very sophisticated programs as well as administration staff. Pastors have learned to organize and operate the church as a vibrant and successful business while still pursuing the mission at hand which is to reach souls for the Kingdom of God.

With all of the growth in numbers, property and financial solvency there is yet much to be concerned about with the state of affairs that are occuring in the church as well as in the political and social arenas regarding the church. Firstly there is a ever increasing hatred for the church and for those who are born-again believers who hold to the sanctity of the Word of God. The Body of Christ exists in a world of non-absolutes and paradoxical philosophies that are both antichristian and saturated with sliding ethics that favor those who are secular in their worldviews and philosophies of life.

In the 60's the move for racial equality and non-discrimination policies became both prevalent and vital to the survival of this country and its peaceful way of life. Much violence was perpetrated against various racial and ethnic groups and those who were sympathetic to their cause. With much struggle the doors opened for racial groups to advance much more than in times past. But with the progression of philosophic prowess and the growth of knowledge concerning political philosophy many decisions were over-turned decades later with such concepts as reverse discrimination. Those laws that were put into place to ensure that those who were definitely discriminated against were now abolished. America became intololerant of her sketchy past and forgave herself for the former attrocities and declared a new day. Others would not be penalized by the past behaviors of a distant community long gone. The new philosophy declared that all is well in America and every man and woman can succeed on their own.

Somewhere that philosophy was abolished when the new agenda of homosexual freedoms and rights was adopted as the new civil rights movement. The double standard and paradoxical philosophy reveals the new mindset of our society. It became hypocritical to continue fighting against discrimination against racial and ethnic groups but it became very fair and righteous to adopt a no tolerance policy against those who dared to disagree with the philosophy or lifestyle. I am positive that many homosexuals have been discriminated and even suffered violence at the hands of many but none have ever been taken from their families and made to work in cotton fields without pay. Neither have many been accousted while driving because of their color or forbade to eat at specific restaurants because of their color. I could go on and on about the injustices that have existed in the past and still existing today but my point is this, the church is being denied her rights in many cases while it is not a crime to openly defame and show open disgust for organized religion. Many have displayed open contempt and anger concerning the church and yet it is not considered to be reverse discrimination. In fact this modern day inquisition is not even considered to be wrong.

In many cases the church can be held accountable for the deporable view of anything that is organized as a biblical God-fearing church. Choirs in the past sang for the purpose of convicting the souls of the hearer and to inspire us to commit our lives to Jesus. The mission has taken a subtle shift. It appears that choirs are more concerned with entertainment and placting the hearer to provide a pleasing experience. It also appears that the church has fallen for a modern business ploy supply the demand. With the changing times many churches have sought to win people by changing the lanscape of the church. In other words accomodate the people in order to win them. Make common the places that were was deemed holy by Christian and sinner alike. Churches were once deemed places of sanctuary where even the law could not or would not enter to arrest one who was given sanctuary by the church.

I have been a Christian since 1975 (40 years) and have seen many changes in the landscape of the Church world. I have seen fads come and go but one thing remained constant, the sanctity of the Church was not compromised. The standard of holiness and righteousness was a stable. In the late 70's and the early 80's a very subtle wind came and the direction of the church began to change. The people of God (Christians) became more socially aware of societal norms and processes. People became more educated and prosperous and the philosophy that once kept the church in tact was discarded for a "liberation theology" of sorts. This new liberation theology focused upon the need to be free from any type of legalism or standard that appeared to impose restraints upon individuals. The cry of the day was "freedom" Inspite of the scripture 1 Corinthians 6:17-18, which says:

"Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but the that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit which are God's"

We are even told that only vision-less people who once knew God cast off restraints (Proverb 29:18)

"Where there is no vision the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he."

In Proverbs 29:18 the terms perish is used to indicate the result of having not kept or losing a vision. The term vision is translated from the Hebrew word "para' " which means to:

1. To loosen

2. To expose or dismiss

3. Absolve or go back

4. Make bare or naked

5. Refuse, uncover

6. Perish

The text indicates that without the vision those who were once servants of God loosen themselves or become loose and dismiss those things that they were formerly taught and held dear. There is also a tendancey to avoid the things of the past in favor of the new. Perishing is the act of casting off restraints.

When this attitude became more prevalent the church began to adopt secularism and sought to mix it with the churches philosophy and to incorporate a secular system by which to interprete scripture and to organize the church around. What we find today, in many instances, are filled churches with empty people who do not understand spirituality nor have a vibrant relationship with Christ. This is one of the most significant reasons that the church has stopped flowing in substantial power and authority for several decades. In truth the church has become more secular than spiritual. Can this trend continue and the church survive. I think not! Jesus is coming back for a church without spot, wrinkle or blemish. This means that God is working among the Body of Christ cleaning it and separating and repairing what has fallen.

Striving to be more in-tune with everyone else the church has become primarily secular in her philosophy and attitude. The price paid for such adaptations was the abandonment of the anointing, holiness, authority and the presence of God. This is the reason that the church is despised by many, abandoned by many and totally disrespected by a great deal. Leadership must be vigilant in preparing a spotless generation. Many leaders have come through battles and have the scars and wounds to remind them of their failures with the knowledge of our pasts we must forge a new and more vibrant future for the church by empowering the next generation of leadership arming them with truth, righteousness and the Word of God.

The End