The January issue of Christianity Today reports that according to the findings of George Barna about one third of Americans are unchurched. Perhaps a more surprising statistic is that about 35% of the unchurched, approximately 23 million of them, claim to have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still important to them. Therefore, these unchurched people are not nominal Christians, those born into a Christian culture and family but who have conveyed no personal interest in their faith. Rather, they see themselves as committed believers, and it seems that at some level they may be.
At first blush it may appear that these findings are somewhat paradoxical. How can a person be committed to Christ and yet not respond to the teaching of Scripture regarding meeting with His people? Perhaps some might conclude that these people are just being dishonest. Their claim to a commitment to Christ is not genuine.
However, a better explanation is found in an understanding of the Christ to whom they have committed themselves. Evangelicals across the past several decades have been introducing people to a Christ who supports them in their insistence on living life on their own terms. That is the Christ they heard about when the gospel was presented to them. That gospel did not include repentance, turning from their lordship of their own lives, but merely involved receiving forgiveness of sin and eternal life as a free gift. This no strings attached message provides no connection with church attendance.
As believers (or at least as those who have responded to this message) they have been assured that this no-commitment relationship represents a true understanding of Christianity. They have been taught that their relationship with Jesus is not affected by their performance. He accepts them unconditionally. This being the case, for practical purposes whether or not they go to church is their option. Even if the Bible indicates that they should go to church, whether or not they do has no impact on their relationship with Christ. He accepts them regardless of whether they go to church or not, and they can likewise accept themselves regardless of their “performance.”
This Christianity-on-my-terms is reflected in many areas other than church attendance. Perhaps one of the most blatant manifestations of this attitude is found in unmarried couples who are living together who view themselves as being committed to Christ. Those who think that such couples are rare are not in touch with contemporary evangelical Christianity. Though most of my interactions are with rather conservative evangelical groups and organizations, I frequently run into this phenomenon.
I find the responses when I confront those involved in this lifestyle especially interesting. Perhaps the most common response is, “How dare you judge me.” Another typical response is total perplexity: “I can’t imagine what you are talking about.”
There is a need for an evangelical reformation that brings people to recognize that belief in Christ includes recognition of His lordship and submission to His authority. Only then will the evangelical church enjoy the spiritual vitality necessary to be salt and light in our culture.