The following post is my commentary
on an article I read. I have attached a link to the article, from Core
Christianity, titled:
“Why Does Anyone Become a Christian?”
Please read the article and then read my commentary.
https://corechristianity.com/resource-library/articles/why-does-anyone-become-a-christian?utm_content=buffer2f97f&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Biblical Christianity in the 21st century is accused of being “on the wrong side of history” if it doesn’t change and embrace cultural values. But if you look at history, Christianity was just as “behind the times” nearly 2000 years ago as is today. True Christianity has a history of being counter-culture. Take a look and compare the values of the pagan Roman Empire to what is rapidly becoming pagan America and you will see they are very similar. The article referenced here does a good job supporting this assertion.
America is rapidly becoming post-Christian, following the path of the rest of the modern West. Western culture is rejecting the God and faith that its own historical moral values are based upon. The assertion of absolute truth and an exclusive path stand in contrast to relativism and plurality. Traditional Christianity and the Judeo-Christian God Himself stand accused of being immoral by modern sensibilities and values. Society is judging Christianity using a manipulated version of moralism it has developed based upon a foundation originating from Christianity. Part of the problem of evangelism in a post-Christian society is that everyone assumes they know the God and faith being proclaimed when in truth they really don’t. It becomes far more difficult to explain something when the audience presupposes that it already possesses understanding.
This is one reason I think we are approaching the end of this dispensation of human history as prophesied in the Bible. Over the past 2000 years, Christianity has spread across the globe, and, although many individuals have embraced the Gospel, the societies of the world have rejected it; some immediately, and some after having feigned acceptance for a time. We see that happening now as well. The depraved collective heart of humanity cannot tolerate the light and has chosen to embrace darkness. Missionary efforts are still important as individuals can still be rescued by Christ from this present darkness until the end of this age and the return of the Lord. But societies have moved, dare I say progressed, to the point where, having rejected the truth of the Gospel, they assume they know what Christianity is when in reality they do not. And why would they take the time to try to learn something that they mistakenly believe they already understand, especially when their perception of that thing is that it has outlived its usefulness and has been proven false, or actually restricts progress? It will take Divine intervention to win the day, and that intervention will come when Jesus returns.
Ultimately, the article referenced doesn’t really tackle the true reason people become Christians. It’s because they recognize their own sinfulness and surrender to Jesus as Lord and Savior. When one truly confronts the depths of one’s own depravity and throws oneself upon God’s mercy in desperation for salvation from the darkness, then one understands the power of true Christianity. People who claim to be Christians for other reasons are themselves failing to understand, or at least express, the deeper truth. It isn’t a works-based system for earning merit with the Divine, or a method for behavior modification, or even primarily an impetus for cultural change and progress. It is a surrender of self will and transformation of spirit from death to life through God’s grace imparted by faith in the finished work of Christ alone. It is a shedding of one’s old nature and sacrifice of self in exchange for a new nature reborn of the Holy Spirit. All the other stuff—good works, changed behavior, and improved social order—are simply outgrowths of internal, individual redemption.
“Why Does Anyone Become a Christian?”
Please read the article and then read my commentary.
https://corechristianity.com/resource-library/articles/why-does-anyone-become-a-christian?utm_content=buffer2f97f&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Biblical Christianity in the 21st century is accused of being “on the wrong side of history” if it doesn’t change and embrace cultural values. But if you look at history, Christianity was just as “behind the times” nearly 2000 years ago as is today. True Christianity has a history of being counter-culture. Take a look and compare the values of the pagan Roman Empire to what is rapidly becoming pagan America and you will see they are very similar. The article referenced here does a good job supporting this assertion.
America is rapidly becoming post-Christian, following the path of the rest of the modern West. Western culture is rejecting the God and faith that its own historical moral values are based upon. The assertion of absolute truth and an exclusive path stand in contrast to relativism and plurality. Traditional Christianity and the Judeo-Christian God Himself stand accused of being immoral by modern sensibilities and values. Society is judging Christianity using a manipulated version of moralism it has developed based upon a foundation originating from Christianity. Part of the problem of evangelism in a post-Christian society is that everyone assumes they know the God and faith being proclaimed when in truth they really don’t. It becomes far more difficult to explain something when the audience presupposes that it already possesses understanding.
This is one reason I think we are approaching the end of this dispensation of human history as prophesied in the Bible. Over the past 2000 years, Christianity has spread across the globe, and, although many individuals have embraced the Gospel, the societies of the world have rejected it; some immediately, and some after having feigned acceptance for a time. We see that happening now as well. The depraved collective heart of humanity cannot tolerate the light and has chosen to embrace darkness. Missionary efforts are still important as individuals can still be rescued by Christ from this present darkness until the end of this age and the return of the Lord. But societies have moved, dare I say progressed, to the point where, having rejected the truth of the Gospel, they assume they know what Christianity is when in reality they do not. And why would they take the time to try to learn something that they mistakenly believe they already understand, especially when their perception of that thing is that it has outlived its usefulness and has been proven false, or actually restricts progress? It will take Divine intervention to win the day, and that intervention will come when Jesus returns.
Ultimately, the article referenced doesn’t really tackle the true reason people become Christians. It’s because they recognize their own sinfulness and surrender to Jesus as Lord and Savior. When one truly confronts the depths of one’s own depravity and throws oneself upon God’s mercy in desperation for salvation from the darkness, then one understands the power of true Christianity. People who claim to be Christians for other reasons are themselves failing to understand, or at least express, the deeper truth. It isn’t a works-based system for earning merit with the Divine, or a method for behavior modification, or even primarily an impetus for cultural change and progress. It is a surrender of self will and transformation of spirit from death to life through God’s grace imparted by faith in the finished work of Christ alone. It is a shedding of one’s old nature and sacrifice of self in exchange for a new nature reborn of the Holy Spirit. All the other stuff—good works, changed behavior, and improved social order—are simply outgrowths of internal, individual redemption.
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