What has transpired in many mainline denominations over the last one hundred years gives clear evidence of the results of abandoning absolute truth. Mainline denominations have shrunk in size and no longer debate the inerrancy of Scripture but issues such as the ordination of homosexuals. As we look at their decline, we wonder what will be next for a church or a society that has rejected absolute truth.
The present divide among evangelicals that the media frequently points to as “evidence” of the declining influence of the conservative Christian movement is not new. In 1984, Christian theologian Francis Schaeffer spoke to the cause of this divide—a rejection of absolute truth. Schaeffer chastised those who had compromised their view of Scripture and had accommodated the culture in the name of “love.”
Unfortunately, a growing number of Christians are influenced more by the popular culture than Scripture in terms of their worldview. Even younger evangelicals, who tend to track conservatively on most core social issues, do not consistently view the world from a biblical perspective. In late 2003, Christian sociologist and pollster George Barna conducted a fairly extensive poll on the prevalence of a “biblical or Christian worldview” in the United States. He defined biblical worldview as being based upon a foundation of eight beliefs:
1. Absolute moral truths exist.
2. The Bible defines these absolute moral truths.
3. Jesus Christ lived a sinless life during His ministry on the earth.
4. God created the universe and continues to rule it today. He is omnipotent and omniscient.
5. Salvation is a gift from God. It cannot be earned through good works or behavior.
6. Satan is a real living entity.
7. Christians have an obligation to share the gospel with the unsaved.
8. The Bible is accurate in all of its teachings.
What did he find? Only 4% of the total population of American adults have a biblical worldview. The fact that only 9% of born-again Christians have a biblical worldview was almost beyond belief.
In light of these dispiriting statistics, Christians must return to emphasizing God’s truth and God’s love. America currently stands at a crossroad. Many of our national problems are a result of our churches abandoning truth. It is not the institution that needs to seek God – it is every individual in each one of the nation’s pews.
A truly repentant church will experience a spiritual renewal. A renewed church can once again be salt and light to the nation. A critical mass of godly Christians must be reached. If we use the imagery of today’s light bulbs we don’t yet have a high enough wattage light bulb to truly lighten our nation. Once we have reached critical mass, the Lord will pour out tangible blessings upon the entire nation in honor of a faithful church that lives and preaches biblical truth.
Although the media often calls the faithful “divisive,” we must defend truth without compromise. Schaeffer reminded his readers that absolute truth requires confrontation. One cannot simultaneously accommodate the culture and stand for truth. But he also challenged those who defend truth to simultaneously display God’s love.
Our penchant for truth must also be displayed with compassion. It’s America’s only hope. Join me this week in fasting and praying for God’s choice for the presidential, congressional, senatorial, and other elections. Pray that a third great awakening will arise out the ashes of our economic woes. Join me serving the lost, the least, and the last.
This article is an adaptation of an excerpt from Personal Faith, Public Policy, written by Harry R. Jackson, Jr. and Tony Perkins (FrontLine Publishing). Visit www.hilc.org or www.frc.org for more information.