Post-Christian Nation

Post-Christian Nation

In France, 88 percent of the people identify themselves as Roman Catholic yet only some five percent of them go to church most Sundays. In fact 60 percent of her citizens admit that they never or practically never attend church. In contrast there are only 4.5 million Muslims in France but their faith in Islam is vibrant and filled with burning zeal. Islam is the fastest growing religion in France. Given the dead faith of the Catholic majority and the fervent zeal of the Islamic minority, some scholars are already predicting that within a century France and Europe will be Islamic.

It has often been observed that America is usually one generation behind Europe in social trends. Given the sagging numbers attending US churches, the loss of conviction, commitment and zeal in the major Protestant bodies, we may be soon facing similar challenges.

Citizens who believe that our Christian heritage is important, who believe that Christianity is a desirable and beneficial component of our personal and national life, should take this to heart. The flames of faith can flicker and grow dim if not fed and stoked on a regular basis. It is not enough to simply claim one is a Christian. Faith without works is dead (Jas. 2:26). Jesus made it clear that in judgment, hollow claims will be of no avail. It is those who have done the will of the Father that will be saved (Matt. 7:21).

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