Living in a Post-Christian Era

Scholars have described the present time as the Post-Christian Era. If they are looking at Europe, it’s pretty easy to see how they could reach that conclusion. In a recent presentation to the Fallbrook Ministerial Association, Chuck Boatman, Professor of Biblical Studies at Hope International University in Fullerton, California, stated that on any given Sunday, “There are more people in church on Sunday in communist China than in all of Western Europe.”

I can even see how they could reach that conclusion when referring to the United States. Although a very high percentage of people in the United States call themselves Christian, Sunday church attendance is very unimpressive. The “gods” of materialism, science, pleasure and success seem to have many more adherents than the followers of Jesus Christ.

However, the worldwide church of Jesus Christ is growing faster now than at any time in its 2,000 year history. Globally, more than 90,000 new converts come to Christ each day with 20,000 new Christians confessing Christ daily in Africa and 28,000 new Christians coming daily to Christ in China.

The Rt. Rev. Derek Eaton, former Bishop of Nelson, New Zealand and now Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Egypt, told more than 1,000 missionary-minded Anglicans at a New Wineskins for Global Missions Conference that, “Despite Western timidity and a deconstructionist gospel being foisted on the American church, there are 8,000 new adult Anglican believers coming to Christ each day across the globe.”

Why is Christianity experiencing explosive growth worldwide, but modest or dramatic decline in Europe and America? During a recent visit to Uganda, I asked that question of our Bishop and other Diocesan leaders. They all said essentially the same thing: We received the Good News from American and European missionaries. We accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior and have incorporated the truth of the Gospel into every aspect of our lives. We experience miracles every day and eagerly share the Good News of the Gospel with anyone who will listen.

I couldn’t help comparing that response with what is typical in this county. We have become very timid in sharing our faith. We are so concerned about offending people that we don’t share the one thing that has eternal significance. We’re willing to share our opinions about any and every other thing…only God is out-of-bounds. I pray that we will wake up before it is too late.