From the Pastor’s Pen – February 2008

Many of you receive American Family Association Journal each month. Donald Wildmon has been a man on the front line, fighting against the filth that is produced by those in Hollywood. In February’s issue he states a recent study by the Barna Research Group which says that “young people (ages 16-29) today are eight times less likely to say they have positive feelings toward evangelicals than the compar-able age group just a decade ago. Moreover, today’s young people view Christianity in a very negative light, with more than 75% saying present-day Christianity is “judgmental,” “hypocritical,” “old-fashioned” & “to involved in politics.” How should Christians respond to such accusations? First, we have to realize that most of those who are making such statements are ignorant of true Christianity. I wonder how many in this group that were asked these questions claimed to be Christians, or even understand what a Christian really is. A very small percent of the age group goes to church, they are “living it up” and do not want anyone to have authority over them or give them give absolutes. This is the real problem at hand, their ignorance of biblical truth. Second, let me address each criticism made: “Judgmental,” as stated this past Sunday, everyone loves to quote: “Judge not, that ye be not judged”. But most do not understand who Jesus is talking to or what he is referring to. There are times that God even calls upon the church to make a judgment, (Matt.18). We also must realize that God has already judged sin & its punishment, therefore when we pronounce God’s judgment on sin we are actually seeking to help the person by calling them to repent so that they may be delivered from an everlasting hell. The problem is that man’s heart is wicked & does not want to be exposed. “Hypocritical,” has been use by many to stay away from the church & there are people in the church who act as though they are religious but are not. Jesus was the one that so clearly exposed the religious leaders of His day. We see that hypocrites will be in the visible church until judg-ment day (Matthew 7:21-27). The question we should ask is: “should this keep them from true Christianity?” of course not, they are simply looking for an excuse to justify their unwillingness to bow before God. “Old-fashioned,” it is sad that many churches seek to cater to young people by changing the message and the method to attract this age. It is the old gospel which is the true gospel. This gospel is the same gospel that Moses, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Jesus, Peter, Paul, James, Augustine, Luther, Edwards, Spurgeon, Criswell, and many others preached. I praise God that it is old fashion, for it is the old fashion gospel that saves sinners. Paul told Timothy “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; & they shall turn away their ears from the truth, & shall be turned unto fables.” Finally, “too involved in politics,” my response is that we are not involved enough. If those who are themselves Christians would get more involved we might see change take place. Most Christians are scared to death to be involved. We need to be like the apostles & be willing to stand against the forces of evil for the sake of the gospel. If we don’t get involved then we turn our governing over to the unconverted. Let us be wise & be ready to give answers.

Pastor Thomas Winn