American society is made up of many different philosophies of life. Our nation has truly become the “melting pot” of the world. This pluralism has had an affect upon society. With the increase in information and immigration over the last half century new religions have been introduced leading to the concept of tolerance of all religions. This is illustrated in that while three-quarters (74%) of adults in America strongly affirmed that there is only one true God the majority (64%) agreed with the concept that Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, and others all pray to the same God while using various titles for that God (Barna 1991, 200 – 210). One will often hear that there are many ways to God or to heaven. The historical Christian concept of the only way to heaven being in Jesus Christ is viewed as narrow minded and bigoted.
Meanwhile, relativism argues that one individual’s view has as much status as another’s. Every belief is as good as every other. Both history and anthropology have taught us that all societies have their own standards and what is good in one society may be different and even incompatible with what is good in another (Tivnan 1995, 235). These relativists usually claim two primary ideas: (1) There is no absolute truth, and (2) there are no absolute values (Geisler and Turek 1998, 46). This has developed into pragmatism that holds to the idea that truth is not something that can be found but is the way a particular society describes how it justifies right and wrong as well as certain ways of doing things (Tivnan 1995, 2327). All of this has led to a society where everyone and everything that everyone does is to be not only tolerated but accepted. How can we influence such a society for our Lord?
As individuals we must come to grips with the fact that Scripture claims to be the Truth of the God of the universe. If this is so, then we must take it as such and put it into practice. This does not, however, preclude the use of the mind. Intellectualism has been something that the church has either battled or ignored. This must be reversed as it is apparent that the further our ability to research and reason is developed the greater the number of individuals we will have the opportunity to influence for the Kingdom of Heaven. This does not replace the study of Scripture but will actually enhance it.
In order to understand the times (1 Chronicles 12:32) the people of God should also be students of current philosophies and geographical sociology. As the church endeavors to reach the people of other nations it is expected that those sent into another part of the world learn the culture, philosophy, and sociology of the region so as to not offend the natives and so as to know the best possible avenue to present the Gospel. The church should do the same in her home culture. In the American culture the church has tended to become a traditional institution rarely open to change. This has not allowed the church to adjust to the ever-changing American society around her and has been a major cause for the lack of impact she is having in that society.
The Word of God still rings true including Jesus’ promise that He will build His Church (Matthew 16:18). This does not, however, allow the church to ignore the society around her. While it is important that the eternal truth of the message of the church cannot change, the method used to propagate that message can and should be reviewed regularly so as to be most effective at penetrating society with that eternal message.
The American church today can be effective in reaching her society without compromising the message that God has given her. However, this cannot be done without the study of American society today and the implementation of whatever Biblical and moral means possible to influence that society. God never called the church to bury her head in the sand while the majority of those around her go without hearing His message! The future is still bright for the American church as she reaches out to the vast mission field right around her. God’s Word still changes lives.
WORKS CITED
Barna, George. 1991. What Americans Believe. Ventura, CA: Regal Books.
Geisler, Norman L. and Frank S. Turek III. 1998. Legislating Morality. Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers.
Tivnan, Edward. 1995. The Moral imagination: Confronting the Ethical Issues of Our Day. New York: Simon & Schuster.