As of Sept. 11 we are well aware that our country is under attack. What few seem to realize is that Christianity is also under attack. We are engaged in “spiritual warfare.” Following Sept. 11 church attendance boomed, but now it is back to normal (pollsters Barna and Gallup). Why have millions drifted away? They came to our churches and heard pabulum, gentle prayers of comfort and pleas for wisdom but no life-changing message.
As President Bush put it, “We are not fighting a nation. We’re not fighting a religion. We’re fighting evil.”
In the new war our enemy walks among us yet he is invisible. The church has the only army trained and skilled at fighting an invisible enemy. Evil is of demonic origin and so there must be a spiritual response. While the battleground against terrorists may be in the Middle East, the battlefield against terror is in the mind. Churches need to consult the field manual on terrorism – the Bible.
The problem is that the church itself has been hijacked and thrown off course. Instead of being worship centers, we have become entertainment centers.
Instead of a life-changing word, our sermons must appease the emotions. Instead of spirit-filled ministry that convicts sinners, we offer generic services that do not offend carnal members nor skeptical visitors.
This could be the church’s finest hour. Let’s not mute nor muzzle the messengers of the gospel. The gospel is the power of God for salvation. God commands us to love and respect all people.
If, however, this becomes a religious meltdown to the lowest common denominator for the sake of unity, we have invited historic idolatry to sit on an empty throne – for God will have vacated the spiritual vacuum we have created.
Bill Chilton
Birmingham, Ala.
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