A New Era for Christians in America

Like any number of other (maybe "real" would be a better descriptor) culture observers, I came to the realization on November 14, 2012 that we were entering a new era for Christians in America.  After the second election of Barack Obama, there was no denying that "the times, they are a-changing."  The following months have only brought even greater clarity to that assessment.  Christianity is no longer culturally cool - at least not Biblical Christianity.  In fact, it appears the culture is heading toward downright antagonism toward historic Christianity.

My evidence?  Here are just a few examples:  Louis Giglio being dis-invited from praying at the President's Inauguration.  Tim Tebow being pressured to bow out of speaking at a traditional Christian church (though they could possibly package their message better).  Lawsuit after lawsuit to remove anything that even hints at Christianity in the public square.  Biblical sexual morality held in contempt from every angle.  Low view of human life.  Low view of marriage.  Low view of personal responsibility.  Statistics showing declining identification with Christianity and rising identification with no religious affiliation (the "Nones") and rising atheism.  I could go on and on.

For two-thousand years, the followers of Christ have understood that he gave us an "either/or" choice.  We either accept Jesus through his own definition - as exclusive - or we reject him altogether.  That's not a culturally acceptable choice today.  For anyone to claim to have a line on exclusive or absolute truth is, well, just too doggone exclusive and absolute for modern tastes. It is viewed as closed-minded, narrow and unenlightened by the cultural elite (Hollywood, national media, major universities and the like).  The problem is this: Jesus left us no other choice.

So what's an average Christian to do?  The culture says, "How dare you claim to know the only way!"  Jesus says, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life."  The culture says, "There are many ways to God."  Jesus says, "No one comes to the Father but through me."  The culture says, "Do what makes you feel good."  Jesus says, "Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me."  The culture says, "Look out for yourself."  Jesus says, "There is no greater love than laying down your life for another."

In today's cultural climate, those who claim to be followers of Christ are going to have to make a choice.  Either Jesus was who he said he was including all that comes with being God incarnate, or he wasn't.  It's all or nothing - it can't be both.  If Jesus was who he claimed to be, we take him on his terms.  That is going to mean we will differ from the culture around us.  It doesn't mean we force our views on others (an impossibility anyway).  It doesn't mean we pick fights.  It doesn't mean we antagonize or have a condescending spirit.  It does mean, however, that we stand firm for what we believe.  It does mean that we still seek to persuade with what we've become convinced is the Truth.

If nothing else, this new era is going to separate those who genuinely follow Christ on his terms from all the tag-a-longs who wanted to be on the Christian bandwagon when it was mainstream and easy.  Perhaps those of us who claim the name of Christ will begin to bear more of a resemblance to our namesake.  You and I are going to have to make a call.  What's it going to be?  Political correctness or Biblical Truth?  Culture or Christ?