What’s Changed?

What happened?

I hear it frequently, especially from those who are older. What’s happened? Why aren’t people interested in the gospel anymore? Usually, those questions are accompanied by recollections of a little country church overflowing during a gospel meeting. Buildings were filled and people stood outside hoping to hear the preaching.

I can relate

I grew up in one of those country churches. I remember the gospel meetings vividly. For us it was the only time we heard real preaching. Every spring and fall a preacher would come for a protracted meeting, and that was the only time I remember baptisms taking place. Meetings lasted from ten days to two weeks, and then it was over. We really looked forward to hearing the gospel proclaimed.

I think people feel less urgency now than in the 50’s and 60’s

Then the nation had just come through World War II and the Korean Conflict, and we lived with the constant threat of nuclear annihilation. Now we’ve become complacent. We’ve been at war for over a decade, but for most Americans life goes on uninterrupted. There has been no real call for sacrifice, except on the part of our service men and women and their families. We now live careless, quiet and secure in our own little world.

Sixty years ago people had a higher opinion of organized religion

Now it’s not at all uncommon to hear someone express admiration for Christ, but disdain for His church.

There was general agreement regarding what was moral and immoral

The world I was born into was one in which church going people were in general agreement regarding what was moral and immoral. That is clearly not true today. Interestingly, those churches which have strayed farthest from biblical morals and ethics have experienced the greatest decline.

Atheism lacked the militancy of modern times

Evolution was not advocated in the school systems of my youth. Sixty years ago most Americans were believers, and identified themselves with Christ. Now, Christianity is under constant assault. Believers are accused of being superstitious, uneducated, out of step with the times.

People went to worship each Sunday

When I came into this world, by and large people went to worship each Sunday. They wanted to hear the word of God. Now they want to be entertained. A brief message on pop psychology consisting of humorous anecdotes, no mention of sin, and an accepting nonjudgmental presentation is desired. TV was in its infancy, Sunday’s were still reserved for worship, and people weren’t as rushed!

Children were raised in the home

When I came of age folks did not think it the responsibility of the church to raise their children or fill their social calendar. That was the purpose of the home. It still is!

People had Bible knowledge

People had a better knowledge of the Bible back then, and a much higher regard for its authority. Christians were much more willing to evangelize then than now. In our politically correct society we don’t want to be perceived as judgmental, and certainly don’t want to say something that may be seen as offensive.

No, things were not perfect back then.

There are many things about the past that I would not want to return to. But, what’s changed? The Bible hasn’t. Our desire for it has! God hasn’t, but men are still trying to remake Him in their image. Jesus hasn’t, but our attitude toward Him has changed.

Perhaps we need to be reminded again

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them” (Hebrews 13:8-9).