The Future Of Our Nation--And Its Churches

Something went terribly wrong here.

An SSD infection lies at the root of our loss of Christian influence in America. I'm convinced we cannot recover any significant influence in our culture apart from a rejection of the "Sacred-Secular Divide." What's more, we need pastors with the resolve to lead the way.  

A fundamental shift of thinking must take place in our churches. Apart from pastors with the knowledge, courage and tenacity to facilitate this shift, it's not likely to happen.  
        

The Sacred-Secular Divide looks like this:

"Sacred” things, in his flawed model, include Sunday church, Bible study, prayer, spiritual growth retreats and mission trips. These things have real significance, because they are related to the soul, to spiritual growth, and to eternity. 

"Secular” things don’t really matter much, because they have to do with the physical, temporal realm of Planet Earth. These things include running banks, managing fish, and getting involved with political issues. These are the “things of earth” that should "grow strangely dim" as we "turn our eyes upon Jesus."

Most sermons in Evangelical churches today deal with our personal lives. Yes, Christianity is highly personal. But it isn't just personal.

Here is what to do with SSD:

Know this: both things in heaven and things on earth are Jesus' things. And when we turn our eyes upon Him, the things of earth should grow remarkably relevant to our Christian walk.   

Yes, the things of earth are broken, due to sin, and in need of restoration. The point is to engage with them in a reconciling and restorative way, as the Spirit leads. That's why we're here.

This requires a different way of seeing all things:

In this way of thinking, any sphere of human activity may be done in harmony with God or in conflict with Him; in alignment with His Word, or in opposition to His Word. Christ died to reconcile all things to Him so that in all things He may have the preeminence, both things in heaven and things on earth. Please read Colossians 1:15-20 here. 

Does this include business things, legal things, artistic things and civil things? Is Christ as relevant to what goes on in medicine as He is to what goes on in church? Is He as relevant to economics as He is to eternity?

How we answer these questions will determine the future of our nation--and its churches.

Something's going terribly wrong here.


Posted by Dr. Christian Overman