America: One Nation Under Whatever
I was reading a recent issue of Newsweek at the dentist’s office (mainly because I ain’t gonna pay for it). One of the articles said that America is a Hindu nation. The author’s argument wasn’t that we worship Hindu gods, but that as a nation we follow the Hindu code that there are many ways to god (God?) and all ways are equal. The writer says that Christians learn in Sunday School that their religion is true and others are false because Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” American’s don’t seem to be buying it anymore. 65% of Americans in 2008 said that many religions can lead to eternal life. 37% of that number claimed to be born again Christians.
So is Christianity valid anymore? Does John 14:6 still hold any weight in 21st century America? I was recently reading a book of Puritan prayers that one of my previous pastors gave me. Indulge me as I quote a portion of it and see if you can make the connection: “Let me learn by paradox that the way down is the way up, that to be low is to be high, that the broken heart is the healed heart, that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit, that the repenting soul is the victorious soul, that to have nothing is to possess all, that to bear the cross is to wear the crown, that to give is to receive, that the valley is the place of vision.”
So what is the connection to us being one nation under whatever and this prayer? You’ll notice that the first part of each statement is something hard and the second part is something great. As humans we all want to be lifted high, having healed hearts, possessing all and wearing the crowns. But in America, our society is telling people they simply deserve these things without the effort. The Christian life is about effort. If we’ll let people sit in the pews and ask nothing of them while giving them everything they want, Christianity will be the most popular religion in the country. But when we as the church decide to challenge people to serve as Jesus served, people will seek their own ways to God. So while we continue to share the Gospel with folks, don’t be disappointed when articles like this come out. Just remember there is a narrow and a wide path, and wide always takes less effort to jump on.