A Boston College professor, Alan Wolfe, wrote a book entitled, The Transformation of American Religion: How We Actually Live Our Lives, in which he discussed our culture's impact on religion. One conclusion he reached was, "American religion has been so transformed that we have reached the end of religion as we know it." Even the AP writer who reviewed the book called this a "debatable conclusion." Wolfe described American religion as "generally individualistic, uninterested in doctrine, distrustful toward tradition and institutions, practical, and increasingly at home with the culture surrounding it." Let's explore this description and see if and how the Lord's church has been affected.
Individualistic
In terms of human behavior, this is not new. It is reminiscent of the prevailing attitude in Israel during the days of the judges when "every man did what was right in his own eyes." (Judges 21:25) This is the inevitable result of several years of rebellion toward authority that was a defining characteristic of the 60s. This attitude leads to the other things cited in the book. Yet, the Bible warns us about it. God said, through Jeremiah, "... A man's way is not in himself; nor is it in man who walks to direct his steps." (Jeremiah 10:23) Recall also the Proverb that says, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." (Proverbs 14:12)
Uninterested in Doctrine
This logically follows the individualistic characteristic. One who decides to chart his own religious course is not interested in what the Bible says. We could say that the tendency to ignore what God says goes all the way back to the Garden, when both Adam and Eve chose to ignore God's instructions. Later, when the Israelites failed to heed God's law, He allowed them to be taken into captivity (Deuteronomy 28:15, 36, 37).
The New Testament contains many warnings (Matthew 7:21-23; 2 John 9-11) about departing from the doctrine of Christ. Mr. Wolfe made the point that there are exceptions to this rule, and cited the Mormons as a group that preserves its beliefs and practices. Isn't it a shame that the one church mentioned in the article began by adding to the doctrine of Christ? The recent ordination of a homosexual Episcopal "bishop" clearly shows what some churches think about the Bible. May we, as God's people, never stray from the Truth. It is no more acceptable for us to do so then it is for them. A review of the first three chapters of Revelation sufficiently proves that doctrine matters.
Distrustful Toward Tradition and Institutions
This way of thinking also arises out of the mindset that was prevalent during the 60s. As I mentioned earlier, there was a lack of respect for authority, including the institutions--such as government and schools--that represented authority. It's no wonder they lacked respect for religious traditions and the institutions that promoted them? Actually, there is a healthy aspect to this. We are supposed to reject man-made traditions, and follow only those that God revealed through the apostles (Matthew 15:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:15).
Practical
In many churches, practicality dictates much of what passes for worship. Saturday evening services have become popular as a way to appease those who want to sleep in on Sunday morning. After all, they reason, the day doesn't matter to God since, in some sense, we are to worship Him every day. Just how they know that God doesn't care is a matter about which they don't worry too much. Remember, they're not interested in doctrine, so the fact that the early Christians met on the first day of the week goes unnoticed (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1, 2).
They easily convince themselves that Sunday worship is just a matter of tradition. The work of most churches is decidedly slanted in favor of helping people with their physical, rather than their spiritual, needs. They might reason that it does no good for a hungry man to hear the gospel on an empty stomach. Jesus seemed to believe that most people would gladly follow Him in order to get a meal (John 6:26). We must not allow the thinking of the religious world to influence us. Instead, we must keep worshiping and serving God as He desires (John 4:24).
This was, perhaps, the most alarming of all Mr. Wolfe's observations. One has a right to expect churches to respect God and His word to such an extent that they reject the ungodliness that is all around them. The reviewer, Mr. Ostling, said, "In his (Wolfe's) view, evangelical worship may serve many needs, but otherworldly reverence is unlikely one of them. Furthermore, sermons have remarkably little actual content, however dynamic the delivery. The Bible is cited, but rarely explored."
The denominations are not the only ones susceptible to this very serious problem. Sermon illustrations, even humorous ones, have their place, but there must also be a serious presentation of God's Word. After all, the Gospel--not the preacher's ability, wit, and wisdom--is God's power to save. We must insist that Truth be taught from the pulpit and in the classrooms. Think about it!
Brother Curry has discussed a timely and sensitive subject. I am personally saddened by the fact that many in the Lord's church are more interested in "physical" things than in the spiritual content and edification of the worship services. Could it be that we have fallen into the trap of viewing our worship service as nothing more than meaningless exercise, rather than the wonderful privilege it is? When people are more concerned about the number of song verses we sing, and the length of the talk at the Lord's Table, the public prayers, and the sermon, they are focusing on the wrong things. After one of my sermons in Las Vegas, a visitor from Texas commented, "Brother Greer, it was a wonderful lesson, but you used way too many Scriptures." I thanked him for the compliment.
Let me hasten to say that every congregation should try to meet the needs of the local membership. Sometimes, older (and younger) members have a variety of aches and pains; and parents often have to deal with restless children. Services don't have to be "endless" to be spiritual and acceptable to God. Preachers should deliver lessons that are timely and non-repetitive, not just to fill up 40-45 minutes. Members must remember that some lessons (those that have meaty subject matter) cannot be completed in 40 minutes. We must also remember that within every church, there are differing needs. Some who are babes in Christ need more detail; the more mature need deeper study; and all need to be reminded of the truths they already know. Gospel preachers must try to keep the lessons interesting and edifying to all audiences-a task that is easier said than done.
What is the answer? Here at Knollwood, I've tried to shorten the length of the morning lessons to accommodate those who sit through Bible class prior to the worship service. If I need more time, I take it in the evening when folks have not already been sitting for an hour. When I can, I try to be brief. When I need more time, I hope my brethren will be patient and understanding. This should not be a problem for people who love God and one another. There are solutions that will please God first and then meet the needs of the congregation. May God help us all to work toward those goals.