Ten Dominant Moods In American Religion Today
This article is an effort to identify ten dominant moods in American religion
today. I have no purpose to exhaust every possible trend. And I understand, when
anyone sets about the task of identifying modern trends in religion or elements
of popularity, you set yourself up for the work of revision. Things are changing
at such a pace, what you write in the morning may need adjustments in the
afternoon. Nevertheless, I thought it would be valuable to me to make such a
list. Ten Dominant Moods in American Religion today:
1. Non-judgmental; resistant to discipline.
Cultural pluralism and the pressure of being politically/religiously correct
results in exalting as a principle, the spirit of being "non-judgmental."
Whatever anybody wants to do about anything or everything, there is cultural
pressure to relax, be accepting and never ask anyone to examine their beliefs
and behavior. Yet the kindest thing you can do for anyone is tell them the
truth. And "those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the test
also may fear," (1 Tim. 5:20). Sentimental silence is the best friend sin ever
had. The friendly, diplomatic spirit toward error hastens the progress of
apostasy, in whatever form it may assume.
2. Subjection, Emotional. That which is
subjectively based proceeds from or takes place in a person's mind, rather than
from an external, objective source. When you do what you think and feel, rather
than believe and obey the Word of God, the basis of your religious life is
subjective and emotional; therefore, relative to how you feel at any time. "But
he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a
forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he
does," (Jas. 1:25).
3. Coveting Excitement, Entertainment, Drama, &
Style. With the advent of television, movies and internet media, there is
greater demand for visual, external excitement. To be entertained is "more fun"
than reading and studying. So we are constantly working on ways to supply more
dazzle, sometimes with a loss of scriptural content. Popular worldly methods are
being demanded in religious settings. Our commitment must as Paul expressed: "we
preach Christ crucified," (see 1 Cor. 1:18-2:5).
4. Ecumenical. The ecumenical spirit is to
accept everybody as brothers and sisters, without regard to differing teaching
and practice, as "the loving thing." With only a confession of your faith in
Christ accompanied by some involvement in "Evangelical religion", the ecumenists
embrace you with a claim of joint fellowship. "Unity in diversity" is the plea,
and the discernment between truth and error required by Scriptures is set aside.
Though not in a religious setting, Rodney King's statement during the LA Riots
captures the premise of ecumenical religion: "Why can't we all just get along?"
Of course we can, but how? The desire for unity can only be fulfilled by letting
God's truth be our authority. By our commitment to what God's Holy Spirit has
revealed, we can effectively endeavor "to keep the unity of the Spirit in the
bond of peace," (Eph. 4:3).
5. Informal, Casual. Comfort has been put
above reverence in our age. Being casual, relaxed and sporty it is argued is of
greater significance than being reverent, fitting, appropriately dressed.
Society is in a dressdown, casual mode. The danger lies in the message that
worship is just like anything else. A change in dress code generally signals a
change in attitude. Are we willing to regard worship with a leisure attitude?
"Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather
than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil,"
(Eccl. 5:1).
6. The Social Gospel. Interests in serving
social needs and financing social causes is a ruling power in American religion.
Today, the social gospel is alive in churches with social and benevolent
programs to make this world a better place to live through counseling, physical
fitness, various kinds of therapy, community involvement and sometimes political
activism. Paul had a plan far more comprehensive and reaching to the cause of
man's problem: "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of
God to salvation for every who believes, for the Jew first and also for the
Greek," (Rom. 1:16).
7. Biblical Ignorance. In American
religion today, there is little interests in serious Bible study. Researchers
George Gallup and Jim Castelli concluded, "Americans revere the Bible but, by
and large, they don't read it, they have become a nation of biblical
illiterates," (www.crosswalk.com/faith/1218766.html - by Albert Mohler). Only
when we read, can we enjoy a true knowledge of the mystery of Christ (Eph.3:4).
8. Less preaching. Is preaching "a dying
art." In some places there is movement away from preaching toward a more popular
(relevant?), multi-media presentation. There is a mood that seeks to gradually
replace preaching with some form where entertainment and audience appeal has a
higher place that instruction (diminishing the need to "convince, rebuke,
exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching," 2 Tim. 4:2). Talks that make
people feel good enjoys greater popularity than the boldness of divine truth.
9. Worldly. To be worldly means to find
your life in what the world offers instead of what God offers in Christ. To be
worldly means, to seek the temporal thrills, ambitions and pleasures, with that
priority ranked above godliness. Those captivated by the world may have "a form
of godliness," but by their attachment to the world they deny its power. "And
from such people turn away," (2 Tim. 3:5).
10. Misplaced emphasis on Numbers. Bigger
is better. The emphasis on numbers leads directly to the introduction of modern
marketing strategy into the church. The outcome is, we sell customer
satisfaction instead of preaching the gospel. Instead of being followers of
Christ, we follow the crowd and give them what they want to increase our
attendance and contribution (so we can enlarge the crowd). Instead of
worshipping in Spirit and truth, we adapt our worship to the changing needs of
the public. This inordinate emphasis on numbers eventually let's men determine
the work of the church instead of God. "The tendency to make Christianity
fashionable, and carnally respectable, must be met at the cost of sneer and
ridicule from any quarter," (Millennial Har., 1868).
If these "moods" I have identified can be viewed as soil, it is rich and fertile
to receive the Charismatic seed. It is ripe to re-generate Calvinism and advance
Ecumenism, with every attending error. To the extent these things play out among
us, we stand at risk and the next generation stands at even greater risk. The
answer is, teaching and practicing the inspired, sufficient Word. "I commend you
to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you
an inheritance among all those who are sanctified," (Acts 20:32).
By Warren E. Berkley
Final Page
From Expository Files 11.6; June 2004
