Christian Living

Redefining Christians In Today's American Culture

by John Clark 
09/13/16
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For decades Christians in America have had it pretty easy. Even though there have alway been those who have ridiculed us, as a whole people with Christian beliefs and who attend church regularly have been left alone to worship and stand by their convictions. A day of worship was honored and respected. Displays of crosses and the Ten Commandments found no objectors. The beliefs and practices of Christians in daily life was met with little resistance. There have been certain things with which we have identified. 

     For a long time in America a Christian could be defined as one who adheres to certain biblical teachings without compromise, and with the freedom to express those beliefs openly. The general consensus of the population was to simply say, "You are a Christian, and I am not, let's just leave it that way."As long as no one took it beyond that point no one bothered us. That has all changed. Christians are not being well received in some segments of our society. We are being targeted socially and economically, with loss of jobs, incomes, and businesses. To say you are a Christian or to display things that show you are could be risky. You may not only lose your job, but also could be denied admittance to a college, or be kicked out of the military. Joe Dallas, in a recent article, wrote, "It's not just that our positions on faith and family life are less widely held today. It's that the very right to hold those positions, much less express them in our businesses, colleges, and ministries, is under increased threat."

     The persecution in America so far is of a social or economic nature. We are being treated as unequals, and yet the culture talks about equality and tolerance. The definition of a Christian in America today is one who holds to certain beliefs, practices, or public displays at his or her own risk. We all know that Christian businesses have purposely been targeted, and the owners taken to court. The prophecy of Luke 21:12 which says that in the last days before the return of Christ that Christians will be delivered to "prisons" and brought" before kings and governors..." is being fulfilled. Remember what happened to Kim Davis? Although she is the only one in America, to my knowledge, who has been sent to prision for her Christian beliefs, she certainly is not the only one who has been cast out of the welcoming arms of American culture just for expressing Christian beliefs. There was also Joe Kennedy, the football coach in Bremerton, Washington. Many more examples could be cited from all around the country. For these people, what they thought was protected and immune from punishment for centuries in America, they quickly learned that times have changed. Journalist Mary Eberstadt recently wrote in an article entitled, "Regular Christians Are No Longer Welcome In American Culture, "...when some American citizens are fearful of expressing their religious views, something new has snaked its way into the village square..."

     So, Christians, we must get used to our "new normal" in America. The time has come when those who are just playing church and religion will be separated from those who have a faith so genuine that they will hold to it no matter the consequences. It has already become quite obvious that the percentage of Christians who adhere to biblical beliefs and values, and are bold enough to stand up for them, is getting smaller and smaller by the day. It is turning out that there are many more Christians in name only then previously thought.

     How much is our faith worth? How much are you willing to give up to be a vocal Christian? If things continue as they are, and worse, more and more Christians in America will have to grapple with those questions.