In February of this year, an essay ran in “First Things” by Aaron Renn titled “The Three Worlds of Evangelicalism”, arguing that there have been three eras of Christianity within America:

1. prior to 1994, American society had a positive view of Christianity, such that publicly identifying as a Christian was a status-enhancer;
   
   
2. from 1994 until 2014, society had a neutral stance toward Christianity; and
   
   
3. since 2014, society has had a negative view of Christianity, as Christian morality is now seen as a threat to the public good and identifying as a Christian brings negative consequences both professionally and privately.

While we may quibble with the exact timing of these eras, and while there have been some helpful pushbacks on the selection of issues undergirding this analysis, we cannot deny that there has been a rapid shift in our culture over the last ten years that is resulting in increased hostility toward anything “Christian”. Regardless of whether we agree with any individual commentator’s prescription for how Bible-believing Christians in America should respond to the new era in which we live, what we cannot do is pretend we're still living and ministering in a bygone age.

Jesus repeatedly sought to prepare His first disciples for the cultural storm they were going to face once the church age began. For example, in the upper room on His last evening before His crucifixion, Jesus said this:

• If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. (John 15:18-20)

The ability for Christians in America to publicly espouse Biblical morality and to call others to repent and believe in the gospel without fear of any negative repercussions from employers, the state, or the public at large is quickly vanishing. We can and should pray for a return to such an era, but we must recognize that it was anomalous in church history. Regardless of the potential consequences, we must resolve to speak the truth in love, being willing to genuinely sacrifice for the good of those we may offend.

Blessings in Christ,

Pastor Evan