Culture Wars in America

Yesterday I received an email from a well known and well read website that said that 80% of evangelical Christians feel that religion in America is "under attack". Given the recent discussions on my church's discussion list, I would have to agree with that assessment.  Apparently Christians are not the only ones who feel this way as 64% of the general population also agreed with that assessment.

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It seems that while we fight a war against terror outside our borders, we are fighting yet another type of war inside.  I am told that we are engaged in a "culture war" of language, culture, traditions and borders.

Let me state for the record that I am deeply saddened by the state of our nation's morals and the erosion of all that we consider Christian and sacred being erased from the public square.  It is indeed a sad situation that some misguided people interpret the first amendment to the US Constitution in such a way that they are attacking the Christian heritage and foundation of our country.

What I cannot reconcile is what we Christians are to do about it, while maintaining a Christ like attitude.  More often than not, I see a militancy on the part of the church, that does not accurately represent the heart of our Lord.

The Word of God tells us that we are not our own, that we've been bought with a price.  It also says that we've been crucified with Christ, and we no longer live.  Likewise I read that greater love has no man, than he lay down his life for his friend and that he that wishes to be first should become the least, and the servant of all.

These passages suggest that our "rights" (as we in America are so fond of clinging to), have been superseded by the "rights" of our Lord Jesus Christ.  We are free, and we are slaves all at the same time.  I read that it is the Love of Christ that compels us and that the purpose of the scriptures is Love from a pure heart and a clean conscience.

How then can we effect positive change in our culture when so much of our culture seems to have such an anti Christian bent?  A correlating question is, "Is engaging in this culture war God's calling?"

I don't think our culture is so different than cultures in the past that have been anti Christian.  Look at the Christians in China, India, or Indonesia who are undergoing tremendous persecution.  The churches are underground and yet they are flourishing!

Throughout history whenever the church has enjoyed times of prosperity and peace, it has been fraught with corruption and tragedy.  Conversely, when the church has undergone pressure and persecution, it has thrived and expanded.

That seems to be generally true, except in America.  Why is that?  What is different about the church in America that causes it to loose its effectiveness in the face of persecution?  Is the type of persecution that the church is made to endure so different?  Is it that the church in America is enjoying too much peace and prosperity? Could it be the attitudes and reactions of the sheep in America are different than the attitudes and actions of our brethren overseas? 

I realize that I am painting in very broad brush strokes.  Please forgive me.  My aim is not to accuse, but to cause us to look deeply at the condition of our hearts and attitudes and ask the questions, "What, Lord, are you calling us to do?  How can I love You Lord and Love my brother who is persecuting me at the same time?  What am I supposed to do about the attempts to de-Christianize America?"

I'm sorry, but I don't find anywhere in the Bible where it talks about engaging in a "culture war".  Instead, I see where it talks about engaging in "spiritual battle". I read that the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.

There is after all only one offensive weapon listed in the armor of God. That, my friends, is the Word of God.  I read where Jesus effectively wielded this weapon when he was weakened by fasting for 40 days in the desert and tempted by the head tempter himself. I read where Jesus repeatedly refers to scripture when refuting Scribes and Pharisees.

What I don't read is boycotting stores for taking down "Merry Christmas" signs and replacing them with "Happy Holidays" signs.  I don't read about letter writing campaigns to stores threatening them with boycott because of their anti Christian, politically correct ways.

I've heard it said that we must "Get the attention" of the CEO's of these companies first, before we can share the Gospel with them. I've spoken to countless non-Christians who don't want to become Christians because of the way that Christians behave.  We are perceived as being intolerant, and even bigoted.  While much of this perception is inaccurate, any truth to these perceptions is inexcusable. 

Do we really think that threatening a non-saved CEO with boycott is going to favorably get their attention? Personally, I think it's going to have just the opposite effect, and bolster any preconceived notions of intolerance.

We are supposed to be like sheep led to the slaughter that did not make a sound before the executioner.

I've also been told that if we don't take a stand against this anti Christian sentiment, little children won't ask their parents about the real meaning of the holidays.  Parents who are teaching their children about the real meaning of the holidays are already saved, for the most part.  For those who don't know the Lord Jesus as Savior, Christmas is about gift giving and receiving, nothing more.  No amount of boycotting of stores is going to change any of that.

I have a friend who thought they were doing the right thing by boycotting a local book store.  The store was a haven for "New Age" thought, and all the employees reflected the corporate bent. My friend refused to frequent the store, even though it was close by and very convenient. Once while driving by the store the Lord spoke to my friend and asked, "If you don't take Me in there, who will?  If you don't serve these people, who will?"  Since that time, my friend has made friends with the employees and has earned the right to have discussions with them about the Lord. Why? Because my friend served them in humility and grace.

What some of us in the church have lost sight of, is that we will be used of the Lord to effect the lives of those with whom we develop relationship. It's about talking to people and more importantly listening to them.  It's about serving people in humility and grace.  It's about earning the right to talk to them about things of the Lord.  If two are not in agreement, how can they walk together?

My prayer is that the church would once again take its rightful place as the city on a hill.  A place where all are welcome and the church effects mighty change in the lives of those who would come.