This post originally appeared at https://www.vcy.org/top-news/2024/03/04/from-the-director-9/
“A Failed Church Breeds a Failed World”
By Jim Schneider, Executive Director
VCY America
Why is this world increasingly turning its back on God? Why is lawlessness abounding? Why is socialism taking root and making its advance? Why is there such a concerted effort to murder babies in the womb and force citizens to pay for it through taxation? Why is perversion running amok in classrooms, in government institutions, on network television and on streaming services? Why do we allow “naked bike rides” in the name of free expression? Why are we seeing the distortion and disintegration of biblically-ordained marriage as between one man and one woman? Why are children rising up against their parents in outright rebellion? Why are family relationships being torn apart?
It is easy to quickly point our finger at a world that is becoming increasingly secularized, that wants nothing to do with God, and that desires to banish Him from every vestige of society. However, it is critical that we pause and take a look at what is happening within the church. The church (the body of true believers in Jesus Christ) is called upon to be ambassadors for Jesus Christ. (II Corinthians 5:20) Believers are called to be salt and light. (Matthew 5:13-16) Believers are told to “come out from among them, and be ye separate.” (II Corinthians 6:17)
But rather than walking in obedience to Christ, it has become more desirous and less convicting to get our ears tickled. Many would rather be entertained than to recognize the responsibility we have as believers in Christ.
It is time to take stock of what is happening within the church. Consider what the Apostle Peter wrote, “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” (I Peter 4:17)
I contend that not only has our society as a whole turned its back on God, but also many a church has lost its fear of God. We have made profane or common the things that are sacred.
In a recent column I wrote, “Bread and Circuses,” a warning was given to churches abandoning sound biblical doctrine on the altar of entertainment. Since writing that article it has been appalling to see the actions taken by some “churches” in recent weeks.
It was reported in The Christian Post concerning Crossroads Church, an Evangelical megachurch in Cincinnati, Ohio, that just hours before the biggest football game of the year on February 11th, the stage was covered with AstroTurf. They featured play-by-play announcers, a referee and a color commentator. The “pastors” of the church wore football jerseys and after the coin flip, a “pastor” was asked, “Would you like to kick or receive the Bible?” The response was, “I will receive.” The article indicates how one could be “seen taking a few steps back as another pastor squares up the Bible-which had a football-style book cover on it-before kicking the Bible off the stage and into the crowd.” It was appalling to watch this video as high-fives were given in celebration. Later the Bible was kicked again as the people on the stage jumped on the Bible and tackled one another. One of their pastoral team, Andy Reider was quoted as saying, “You might be wondering why on earth would we do something like this.” Among other reasons he stated, “we believe that church can and should be fun.”
Really? Is that the purpose of the church? To make it “fun” and entertaining? To kick God’s Word into a sea of people? What examples are given in Scripture to operate a church in this fashion? When Ezra read the words of the Lord, the people stood for hours to receive it. People’s hearts were convicted; they wept and they repented. Individuals in Scripture were persecuted because they proclaimed it. Believers were martyred because of their unwavering faith in it. While “pastors” treat the Bible as a football, martyrdom continues even today.
In yet another setting, Transformation Church in Tulsa, OK featured their “pastor” who is seen trashing the stage from which he was speaking and commenced pouring syrup and whipped cream all over a Bible and the communion elements. It was said to be an “illustration.” It is my position this was a direct poke in the eye of God. Blasphemy!
We must not forget God’s indictment against Israel in a message given to Ezekiel: “Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.” (Ezekiel 22:26)
We are treading down the same path as these that were rebellious. Situations like these recent events in churches bear out the truth that we have lost our fear of God. We have lost respect for who He is and the Word He has given us.
The Bible tells us that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God” (II Timothy 3:16); that “the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword” (Hebrews 4:12); “Every word of God is pure” (Proverbs 30:5); that His Word “is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path,” (Psalm 119:105); that “the word of our God shall stand for ever.” (Isaiah 40:8); that God’s Word is to “dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Colossians 3:16); and that God’s “word is truth.” (John 17:17)
It is NOT to be made fun of. It is not is not to be mocked. It is not to be kicked as a football or be treated like a pancake with syrup and whipped cream. No wonder the glory of God has departed. No wonder our society has turned its back on God. When the church profanes the things of God, and when the church treats God’s Word in disgrace, why should we expect anything more from the world?