Why is America Leaving God? by Andy Peth

Today, I must chat with my fellow Christians.

According to a recent Pew Poll, the percentage of Americans identifying as Christians has dropped sharply since 2007, from 78.4% to 70.6%.  During that time, the percentage claiming agnosticism or atheism rose nearly as sharply, from 16.1% to 22.8%.

My response as a born-again believer?  It’s an understatement.  While I’m no perfect judge, I believe the Christian percentage is far lower than 70%, as scriptural truths carry little sway with most Americans.  In my opinion, America isn’t leaving God right now.  Rather, we’re becoming more comfortable admitting we already have.  Again, just my opinion.

So who’s to blame?  Who drove America from its foundational beliefs?  Who did this? 

That’s easy:  We Christians did it.

You think I’m kidding?  Guess again.  To understand, read this scripture:

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“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  But do this with gentleness and respect.”
I Peter 3:15

Are we prepared to give answers?  Oh, I have tons of them, most dealing in science and philosophy.   Then what about gentleness and respect?  Are we demeaning and abrasive?  Not usually (unless I’m talking with environmentalists, who I hunt for sport).  Sooooo…what’s the issue?  It’s that middle part—“The hope that you have.”  Think about it:  What good are answers and respect if no one’s asking about our faith?  Well?  Truth is, if no one’s asking, everything else is worthless.  And why aren’t they asking?  Because too often, we’re not demonstrating hope in God.

Here’s what I mean:  Suppose I told you to walk across a canyon on an invisible bridge.  Wouldn’t you want to see me walk on the bridge?  Or suppose I advise you to invest in a new company, saying it’s sure to pay huge dividends.  But then, you see I won’t invest my own money…

If I show no trust in the bridge or investment, you’ll avoid these things because my actions speak louder than words.  This is the key to demonstrating hope—I have to walk on the bridge.  If we Christians don’t demonstrate hope in God, people have no reason to ask about our faith.

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1

Notice this passage doesn’t demand a stupid, gullible, unwise faith—the sort where we lob virgins into volcanoes or trust Jonathan Gruber’s economics advice.  My faith is supported by tons of evidence; and as it happens, better economics.  But despite all my facts, people still can’t see God—they can’t see the bridge.  And if I won’t walk on it, why listen to my facts?

Examples?  There are plenty.  Just remember, we believe we have eternal life, eternal comfort, and eternal provision in Christ, and that our entire lives here are an instant by comparison.  This in mind, let’s imagine I’m a Christian and you’re not:

• Suppose you and I work in an office, and I am overlooked for a much-deserved promotion.  If I display resentment over losing this earthly position, what does that show you?  Would you ask my thoughts on eternity with God, when I demonstrate more hope in getting my way right now?  If I hope in the same things as you, why ask me about my hope?
  
• Or suppose we go to a restaurant and you see me tip poorly—clinging to that extra couple bucks for dear life.  Do you want to ask about my hope in God’s everlasting provision? 
  
• Or what if I discipline my children out of frustration, rather than for their benefit?  As I scream, “You will respect my authori-tah!”, will you ask about the value I find in God?
  
• How about if I love those who love me, but gossip about those who don’t? 
  

When I was an atheist, I remember wondering why Christians acted like everyone else.  How could I be “lost?”  How could they be “saved?”  No, I never minded their imperfection.  But it was their reliance upon my world—the way they seemed plugged into the same power source as me—that was confusing.  I guess this is why I saw their Jesus as being no different from Mohammed, Buddha, or Gandhi. 

“As He looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury.  He also saw a poor widow put in in two very small copper coins.  ‘I tell you the truth,’ He said, ‘this poor widow has put in more than all the others.  All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on’”
Luke 21:1-4

That woman walked on the bridge, trusting in provision no one could see.  Was she a deluded fool, suffering out of addicted devotion to some cult?  Would she take insurance advice from Jonathan Gruber?  No, she was just trusting in the Creator, not the creation—the Provider, not the provision.  It's called "perspective," folks, and it's more compelling than the finest sermon.  While I wouldn’t trust her beliefs without facts, I’d listen to her facts because she trusted her beliefs.

Understand, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying things in this world.  For instance, I like having a good car.  The power, the handling, the interior comfort—it’s all great stuff.  And I love shouting at my football team (enjoying, as Rush Limbaugh calls it, the "passion without consequence" of sports).  One day, I want to attend a Green Bay Packers game, holding a simple sign that reads, "YOU MUST WIN.  WE KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE."

Question is, do I need a good car?  Do I lack the inner perspective to recover after watching sports? In other words, do I trust in these good things more than I trust in a good God? Hopefully not. Hopefully, I trust in the Giver, not the gifts.  At any rate, I’d better figure out what bridge I’m walking on, because other people are watching.

And while I'm at it, I'd probably better leave the sign at home.

Read that first scripture again:

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  But do this with gentleness and respect.”
I Peter 3:15

There are, of course, other factors in America’s decline.  Our public education system is designed to crush faith in God (thank you, John Dewey), while Hollywood never tires of anti-Christian preaching. 

But the darker the darkness, the brighter the light shines.  How?  Listen to the Apostle Paul:

“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:12-13

Imagine taking someone with that mindset—let’s say, a 23-year-old girl who trusts her eternity with God—and placing her in your workplace.  No, she’s not creepy; just relaxed, with an eternal perspective.  What would happen?  Amidst all the usual office panic, wouldn’t she stick out?  Wouldn’t some people turn to her when seeking answers?  I think they would.  When the ground gives way beneath their feet, they’ll talk to the girl standing on an invisible bridge. 

Look, I’ll be honest.  At its current pace, I see America completely turning on the church within a few decades.  Is this reversible?  Of course; it always has been.  The formula never changes:

1. Be prepared with real answers.  
   
2. Be gentle, showing respect toward listeners.
   
3. Most importantly, do what Christians have hardly done for several decades:  Give people a reason to ask questions by demonstrating hope in something they don’t have.
   

Numbers like those in the Pew Poll can be scary, as we see a nation leaving the Christian faith.  But in those numbers, I see a message from America to us in the church.  It goes like this:

“You want us to trust in God?   You want us to walk on your bridge?  Well…you first.”