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American beliefs and religious traditions are changing dramatically. A recent survey conducted by researchers at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, and funded by the Lilly Endowment and the Posen Foundation now support that proposition. Conducted in 1990, 2001 and 2008, it is one of the nation’s largest major surveys of religion. Reporter Michelle Boorstein summarizes some of the key findings: “The survey of more than 54,000 people conducted between February and November of last year showed that the percentage of Americans identifying as Christians has dropped to 76% of the population, down from 86% in 1990. Those who do call themselves Christian are more frequently describing themselves as ‘nondenominational,’ ‘evangelical’ or ‘born again,’ according to the American Religious Identification Survey.” Strikingly, people calling themselves mainline Protestants, including Methodists and Lutherans, have dropped to 13% of the population, down from 19% in 1990. The number of people who describe themselves as generically “Protestant” went from approximately 17 million in 1990 to 5 million.
Other key findings:
- The number of people who use nondenominational terms has gone from 194,000 to more than 8 million. Boorstein summarizes: “The survey substantiated several general trends already identified by sociologists: the slipping importance of denomination in America, the growing number of people who say they have ‘no’ religion and the increase in religious minorities including Muslims, Mormons and such movements as Wicca and paganism.”
- The only group within the survey that grew was the one associated with “no religion,” which now comprises 15% of the population. Mark Shirk, who directs Trinity’s Program on Public Values and helped supervise the survey, concludes that “this group is likely responsible for the shrinking percentage of Christians in the US.” Further there is a growing “non-religious or irreligious minority.” For example, 27% of those interviewed said they did not expect to have a religious funeral or service when they died, and 30% of people who had married said their service was not religious.
- Northern New England surpassed the Pacific Northwest as the least religious section of the country. For example, 34% of Vermont residents say they have “no religion.”
- There is increasing fuzziness about what it actually means to be an evangelical. For example, 44% of America’s 77 million Christian adults say they are born again or evangelical. Also, 18% of Catholics choose the label evangelical, as do 40% of mainline Christians. Obviously, doctrine is not a defining characteristic of the term evangelical.
What does all this mean? It is my deep conviction that America is a thoroughly Postmodern civilization. It values diversity, personal autonomy and a radical pluralism. Theology is virtually irrelevant. For Christians, there is a lack of precision when it comes to doctrine and even evangelical Christians are cultivating superficiality and shallowness. With increased religious diversity has come increased emphasis on toleration. In a 2002 US News and World Report/PBS poll, 71%, including 70% of Christians, say Christians should be tolerant of people of other faiths and leave them alone. Only 22% (24% of them Christians) think it is a Christian’s duty to convert members of other faiths. The point is that American culture, with its pluralistic nature and its diverse faiths, is changing--radically so. Also, consider this: An issue of Time magazine (13 October 1997) focused on the growing appeal of Buddhism in America. In the words of one of its adherents, Buddhism is “a path of enlightenment into a lay culture without priests and temples and structures. . . [It is a] daily practice of everyday life. . . It’s beneficial to all of us. It will go down in history as one of the best things that happened to civilization.” How can this be? Buddhism advocates the abandonment of logic and reason, glorifies emptiness and the illusion of selfhood and looks toward the end of desire and liberation from rebirth. How could multitudes of Americans, including media gods like Steven Segal, Richard Gere, Tina Turner and Phil Jackson, now embrace a system not long ago rejected as irrational? The answer is that America is now a Postmodern, Postchristian civilization.
What do we do? The Apostle Paul, in Colossians 2:8, issued a penetrating exhortation: “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.” The relevance of this admonition is clear. We live in a world where “the tradition of men” and “empty deception” are pervasive. How does one decide the difference between the competing worldviews of our postmodern age? Because Christianity embraces exclusivistic truth, Christians must know how to build bridges to the postmodern world. Christians must understand their world, know how to make connections to that world, while at the same time maintaining their distinctiveness as Christians. As Jesus counseled, we must “be in the world but not of the world” (John 17:13-18).
The task of “building bridges” to the larger culture with its postmodern pluralism is very much a New Testament idea. Theologian Alister McGrath writes that the New Testament church is really a “colony of heaven . . . an outpost of heaven in a foreign land.” It speaks the language of that homeland and is governed by its laws. Yet, as Paul demonstrated in Acts 17:22-31, we are to seek common ground with citizens of earth, to be all things to all people that we might win some. Our task is to speak and live the truth of the gospel into the world and life view of others. Using 1 Peter 3:15, Ken Boa suggests a pattern for building bridges:
- “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts.” In other words, be certain Jesus is Lord of your life, affirm your utter dependence upon Him, and remember that when you are talking with someone of another worldview, this is a spiritual battle. Your task is not to change the person; that is God’s business. Your task is to be faithful in proclaiming the truth.
- “Always be ready.” Among other things, this means to know God’s Word and to know how and when to use it. In doing so, you will be prepared to correct misconceptions about biblical Christianity.
- “To make a defense.” Always keep the discussion on Jesus and His finished work on the cross. Stay away from minor issues and do your best to not allow the other person to focus on misconceptions. Stay focused in a friendly, God-honoring manner, and do not be sidetracked by the other person’s unique claims or errors.
- “To every one who asks you.” Pray that God will give you opportunities to share your faith in this pluralistic culture. Above all, be a good listener and ask their permission as you progress through your discussion. Do not be pushy or arrogant.
- “To give an account for the hope that is in you.” It is your personal relationship with the living God that is the source of your power and strength. Do not be afraid to share from personal experience all that God has done for you. He is your hope and strength.
- “Yet with gentleness and reverence.” Exude patience, respect and love as you talk. Always look for common ground and seek to develop a relationship of trust and confidence that God can use to bring that person to Himself.
In building bridges to other worldviews, it is important to understand what a “worldview” actually is. A “worldview” is the core of what we believe. It answers the basic questions of life -- how did we get here (creation)?; what is the nature of reality (physical or spiritual)?; what is the nature of truth (objective or subjective)?; what is the nature of human beings (physical or spiritual or both)? Only genuine, biblical Christianity provides the consistent answers to worldview questions. Only Christianity provides the path to truth.
See Michelle Boorstein in the Washington Post (9 March 2009) and James P. Eckman, The Truth About Worldviews, pp. 1-9. |
