The Failed Influence of the American Church

The American church is one that has positively changed the world. From the protestant beginnings in the 16th century leading to a greater sense of individuality for each follower of Christ, there is nothing that would eventually shape the American founding and culture more. Capitalism, a checked and balanced government, free speech, religious liberty — America was a novelty.

But, something happened. Throughout recent decades all of what has made America great has seemed to have come under attack. No longer is capitalism looked upon as the saving grace of our world from totalitarian regimes. No longer does our government keep to itself and focus only on national security and justice. Now one must watch what he says on social media for fear of losing access to his account or worse. And now, many businesses submit themselves to the demands of those they may disagree with just so they don’t run the risk of paying thousands of dollars in unjust fines.

However, for many years, the United States thrived. Before our independence from England, a spiritual revival in America was already underway. With young pastor, Jonathan Edwards, kindling a small flame in the 1730s leading to what started out as a few and yet bringing hundreds to faith in Christ, and then George Whitfield, a hyper-evangelist, spreading the gospel to thousands all along the colonies. Estimated at more than 80% of all colonists in America at the time had personally heard Whitfield speak at one time or another. Christianity was rampant.

Less than 100 years later, a revival resurged in the now independent States. Millions more were converted to protestant Christianity leading to the very beginning of the abolition movement with individuals like William Lloyd Garrison who spoke out on behalf of African Americans and women’s suffrage. Also, this led to the former U.S. President John Quincy Adams starting an anti-slavery campaign in the House of Representatives.

Throughout the 1800s, the Christian faith continued to grow with prominent evangelicals including Charles Spurgeon and Dwight L. Moody. Also during this time, the benefits of capitalism was being realized with the invention of the telephone, motion pictures, the light bulb and Coca-Cola.

This era leading into the early 1900s with notable Christian figures like Billy Sunday and the Pentecostal Movement and Charismatic Movement made for a rock-solid foundation going into World War I.

After World War II more prominent Christian leaders including Bill Bright and Billy Graham would influence hundreds of thousands across the U.S. and around the world. At this time, the nation held on to its roots: America was a relatively wholesome place, it’s economy was thriving and influencing the economy of the world. It became a global superpower.

Shortly after this, however, came the 1960s. The post-adolescent generation of the 60s and 70s was one that had been given everything on a silver platter. The baby-boomers. These were the first to grow up in a country whose affluence was unprecedented and one that had tightly secured peace. Additionally, the baby-boomers were raised by parents that had seen the Great Depression and World War II — all they wanted for their children was peace and prosperity. It became all the generation knew. Vital virtues such as courage, prudence, temperance and chastity took a back seat to charity and kindness. Thus, began the free-love movement and the sexual revolution.

The American church began failing. For too long the church was dependent on American culture. All throughout the 1940s up to the 1960s culture and the church ran closely parallel. The values were the same, the teaching the same, respect for God and the church was intertwined with culture. The church stopped doing what it was there for. And, so, when culture began to unravel, so did the church. The church stopped influencing culture and society and instead, became influenced by it. Soon, the title “Christian” would become mainly a title only. Vast amounts of so-called Christians would only display their “faith” on Sundays. And, no longer would Christianity hold the influence it once did.

Now, there are churches all across the U.S. advocating for ‘progressive’ movements that entirely contradict Scripture. Things like abortion, support for gay marriage and so on.

But, how did this happen? How did the church seemingly go so awry? As faith in the power of God disappeared, the church felt it needed to appeal to the culture turning Sunday mornings into a production that aimed to tug on the emotions of the attendees. The guidance of the Bible was replaced by marketing strategies.

As this happened, the influence of the church lessened even further. Influence stirs in people a desire to be different and carry forth a message, but as the church became more like the culture around it, there was no more impactful message that could be seen in the lives of Christians and nothing more the church could offer besides a place with friendly people and mediocre music.

Because of this, America is suffering. We are barreling toward a country where socialism no longer seems like such a bad idea despite the millions of people it has left starving or worse throughout history. Moreover, the country is becoming more “tolerant” by accepting and enabling every religion except Christianity. A God once revered in public schools is now cast aside and anyone who tries to share the love of this God by speaking up is shut down and threatened with suspension.

But, there is hope.

Christianity is still prevalent in America, it’s just weak. There is need for another spiritual revival. However, spiritual revivals cannot be manufactured. They are a blessing from God. He decides when and where to move in powerful and miraculous ways. But, every revival begins with prayer. And that is where every church must start.

Churches, though, should also be checking themselves by first taking the Bible at face value and comparing their own church to what Scripture says. Only a church that is rooted in the Bible is one that is in line with God’s will, and only then will people see and hear the truth of the Gospel through its members.

America needs the church. It cannot survive long without it. As John Adams said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”