"So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth."
What do these sobering words from Jesus Christ mean? How do they apply to the American Church today?
George Barna, in a recent interview says the following when talking about the group he calls “Casual Christians”…
Casual Christianity is faith in moderation. It allows them to feel religious without having to prioritize their faith. Christianity is a low-risk, predictable proposition for this tribe, providing a faith perspective that is not demanding. A Casual Christian can be all the things that they esteem: a nice human being, a family person, religious, an exemplary citizen, a reliable employee – and never have to publicly defend or represent difficult moral or social positions or even lose much sleep over their private choices as long as they mean well and generally do their best. From their perspective, their brand of faith practice is genuine, realistic and practical. To them, Casual Christianity is the best of all worlds; it encourages them to be a better person than if they had been irreligious, yet it is not a faith into which they feel compelled to heavily invest themselves.
It is clear from this passage in Revelation that the "lukewarm" Christians described by Barna arfe no Christians at all.
Join Pastor Robert Haling as he discusses this very troubling trend in modern evangelicalism. |
