Christianity is no longer Americans' default faith - you can do something about it

This past week I read the results of yet another Barna Group survey. The article was headlined; Christianity Is No Longer Americans’ Default Faith. The first survey conducted by this group in 2009 provided their findings regarding people’s openness to embracing faiths other than Christianity, adoption of theological perspectives that are not from the Bible, and how significant faith is in people’s moral decision-making.

The survey shows “half of Americans believe the Christian faith no longer has a lock on people’s hearts. Overall, 50% of the adults interviewed agreed that Christianity is no longer the faith that Americans automatically accept as their personal faith, while just 44% disagreed and 6% were not sure.” This should be no surprise to us as born again, evangelical believers. We see the results of our country’s non-Christian character throughout our society.

The survey further “found that by an overwhelming margin - 74% to 23% - adults agreed that their religious faith was becoming even more important to them than it used to be as a source of objective and reliable moral guidance.” Just remember, the definition of religious faith includes protestant, Catholic, New Age, and the myriad of world religions such as Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism, as well as other cults that pass themselves off as religions. So not all religions have the Judeo-Christian morals given to us by God in His Word - the Bible. Likewise, we see the twisted morals of other religions oozing into the very fabric of our society and leaving the staining stench of abortion on demand, same sex marriage, and the prosperity gospel.

Carefully read this finding, “by a three to one margin (71% to 26%) adults noted that they are personally more likely to develop their own set of religious beliefs than to accept a comprehensive set of beliefs taught by a particular church. Although born again Christians were among the segments least likely to adopt the a la carte approach to beliefs, a considerable majority even of born again adults (61%) has taken that route.”

The implication of this must be viewed in light of the biblical illiteracy that is rampant among the church today. If people do not know how to study and interpret the Bible, how can they discern the Biblical truths God has given us? Rarely a week goes by that I do not hear or read a Bible verse being used totally out of the context given us in the Bible. If this is an indication of the accuracy by which people are setting up their own religious beliefs, then they are believing, teaching, and preaching a gospel other than the one the apostle Paul gave to the churches in Galatia. And God’s word says that they are to be accursed.

What about you? Are you equipped to be the salt and light in this ever changing world that deems good to be evil and evil to be good? Are you equipped to lovingly share with your family, friends, co-workers, and acquaintances your religious beliefs – and, using the authority of God’s word – walk them through the truth that is found in it? Do you test all religious teachings against the scriptures to make certain they line up with what God has given us as His truth?

Perhaps you are seeing more and more issues in our society that you sense are wrong, but you do not have the confidence to confront them because you are uncertain of what God says about it in His word.

I understand your situation because I have been there myself.

Because we are to be people of the Book – the Bible – we must be able to give others the reason for the hope that lives within us. To test our decisions against God’s will, we must be able to read the Bible for all its worth; pulling from it God’s truth and direction. If we cannot properly read and study the Bible, we will find ourselves with the vast majority of those who are now inventing their own doctrines in order to appease their own sinful desires. We will no longer be salt and light to a world that so desperately needs Jesus.

God led us to establish the WorldReach Bible Institute to equip the saints for service. It is not in competition with any churches, Bible study groups, or denominational institutions. It is a God established tool that He is using to bring His people into a closer, personal love relationship with Himself by teaching them to properly study and interpret His word. We are seeing lives transformed.

Our next semester begins this Monday, 6PM on the campus of Prince Avenue Christian School. The foundational course of Bible Study Methods and Rules of Interpretation is being offered to first time students. It meets once a week for the 12 week semester. Please consider enrolling. You and God both know your ability to properly handle His word, and your capabilities to use it in answering and confronting the issues of the day.

More information and online enrollment is available on the web at www.wbionline.us or you can call us toll free at 888-540-6534.

First graduation class from WorldReach Bible Institute

Saturday, 17 January at noon in the cafeteria of Prince Avenue Christian School (2201 Ruth Jackson Rd., Bogart, GA), we will recognize the accomplishments of 11 students who have completed certificate programs at WorldReach Bible Institute. Four students will receive the Certificate of Christian Studies from our English Language Department, and seven will receive the Certificate of Biblical Principles from our Spanish Language Department. This will be our first graduation ceremony.

The keynote speaker is Dr. Dennis Mock, founder and President of Bible Training Centre for Pastors, with whom we partner for some of the course curriculum used at our Institute.

A time of refreshments and fellowship will immediately follow the close of the ceremonies. All are invited.

Resolve to correctly handle the word of truth - enroll in the WorldReach Bible Institute

Looking back over the past year can be a sobering task. I prove yearly that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

God's Word will transform me. I know this and have experienced it. However, there was a time in my life that I had to come to grips with the fact that my ability to "correctly handle the word of truth" - to understand what it says, what it means, and how to apply it to my life - was lacking. I desire to be all that I can in Christ Jesus. His Word is one of the ways He speaks to me. If I cannot "correctly handle the word of truth," how will I be able to know what God is saying to me? Unfortunately, most Christians I know, if they are honest with themselves, have the same challenge.

In 2006, to help Christians overcome this challenge, WorldReach partnered with the Bible Training Centre for Pastors/Church Leaders to establish the WorldReach Bible Institute. The cornerstone course of our curriculum is Bible Study Methods and Rules of Interpretation. Through this course, you will learn how to "correctly handle the word of truth."

Looking for a way to move forward in your resolution to draw closer to God? I invite you to join us for our upcoming semester and enroll in the WorldReach Bible Institute. Bible Study Methods and Rules of Interpretation is a 12 week, Bible college level course, meeting on the campus of Prince Avenue Christian School in Bogart, GA each Monday evening from 6-9PM. Tuition is $60. This includes the course guide and the NIV Study Bible (the central "textbook" used in every course).

Draw closer to God. Understand what He is saying, what He means, and how He wants you to apply the truths in His Word to your life. It will literally transform your walk with Him.

For more information about WBI and registration for the courses, contact us toll free at 888-540-6534, or visit us on the web at www.wbionline.us.