THE VANISHING CHRISTIANS

Thursday, December 1, 2022

Shalom, to you my Friend and Co-Minister in the Great Commission...

Recently, a Pew Research Center poll revealed that the number of Americans identifying as Christian had been precipitously dropping. If this trend continued, by the late 21st century the percentage of Americans identifying as Christian could go as low as 35%.

Up to the 1990s, America, unlike Europe, seemed immune to the de-Christianization of its population. Up to that time, the percentage of Americans identifying as Christian held at over 90%, but then, the numbers of those identifying as Christian plummeted to 64% in 2020. At the same time, the percentage of those identifying as non-Christian or anti-Christian skyrocketed. If the present trends continue, then later in the 21st century, this segment may represent over one half of the American population.

What would such changes bring about? The de-Christianization of America. The days of seeing America as a "Christian nation" will be long gone. If the majority defines a nation, then America will be known as a non-Christian or anti-Christian nation. There will be less tolerance for Christianity, less room for religious freedom, and increasingly accommodation to all that is anti-Christian, and anti-God.

All these things are actually biblical in one sense. The Bible foretold a great apostasy or falling away in the last days - "When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" and also the coming of one called "the antichrist." The present trends will herald His coming.

Of course, things don't have to go this way. There can always be surprises and revival. But things are heading this way in almost every realm of culture. If America could turn against the ways of God and believers when the majority of its population claimed to be Christian, then what will happen when the majority claim not to be Christian or anti-Christian? Then persecution will come.

At the same time, there is a redeeming aspect to all of this. The number of true born again believers is likely no more than 33% at most. Thus, the decrease may largely be a matter of grays disappearing, and what remains of American Christianity will likely be more real, more radical, more revolutionary, and more like the Book of Acts.

In the end, only the real will stand - including real believers. If the culture is darkening, then it's time to all the more shine the light. And if the grays are disappearing from our culture - then it's time to make the grays disappear from our lives. It's time to get radical, real, bold, and courageous. Set your course this month for living as a believer from the Book of Acts and may God greatly bless you as you do!

Your brother and co laborer

in His love and services,

Jonathan

See Message: The Watchman Uncancelled