12-2-24<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once upon a time \u2013 no, actually, much more than once; and at many, many times in humankind\u2019s history \u2013 preachers were attacked, discomfited, persecuted, arrested, imprisoned, and sometimes put to death for what they preached.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sometimes it was a different theology, too often the sharing of new Biblical interpretations; encouraging people to read Scripture for themselves. Or \u2013 believe it not \u2013 to believe that they might pray directly to God, without churches and councils and rules and intermediaries. De-frock them! Stone them! Kill them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ideas can be dangerous. And vested religious interests, as in Jesus\u2019s time; or \u201cestablishment\u201d denominations in ours, certainly can feel threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Through the centuries there have been many martyrs who were tortured and sometimes put to death for things they believed in, for what they preached.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today, preachers ought to be arrested for things they <\/strong>don\u2019t<\/strong><\/em> preach.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Oh, religious people still give sermons. Churches still are open, and many have full schedules of activities. But pastors and councils and committees involved themselves in different matters on which the Body of Christ used to focus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Am I being judgmental? It is frankly my intention. I know we should resist judgmentalism\u2026 yet we can<\/em> be \u201cfruit inspectors\u201d: assessing the evidence of \u201cFruits of the Spirit\u201d among believers. I have been in churches, and been mightily blessed in churches, where there are cold sermons on Sunday but warm spirituality among congregants in their fellowships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My blanket statements are blankets, however, that cover a lot. But despite the exceptions, there are disturbing trends in the 21st-century American church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The American church in the 21st<\/sup> century is not like the church that was strong and precious in our past. Indeed the Great Revivals, and the strong and influential churches, are what built and sustained this nation. Many believers might not identify with the style or form of worship I have described, and whose passing I lament. But one does not have to be a holy-roller or a jump-the-pew or even a spiritually exuberant type of worshiper to recognize that many of today\u2019s churches are not meeting the needs<\/em> of contemporary people and their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is not a coincidence that decline in spirituality, in Christianity, is parallel to the decline in the nation\u2019s health \u2013 economy, moral conditions, levels of corruption, crime, addiction, abuse, divorce, illegitimacy. And so forth. Which is the cart and which is the horse? It makes no difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What does make a difference is the reality\u2026 and the foundational crisis we face. If economics are only statistics, and, say, crime might diminish in a societal pendulum-swing, fine. Maybe so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But our other problems are deeper, much deeper; and of a spiritual nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And a spiritual problem can only be solved with a spiritual response. I pray that your church \u2013 even small groups, informal fellowships, whether \u201cSunday morning experiences\u201d or not \u2013 keep the flame of the Gospel burning for you. If not, the kindling is right before you; and you have been entrusted with the Fire of the Holy Ghost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n + + +<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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