Gallup and Christianity

Many of you will recognize the name of George Gallup, the renowned American pollster. His polling organization conducts informational polls concerning just about every topic of import to Americans from politics to religion.

In a relatively recent series of polls, Gallup sought to identify characteristics concerning the religious climate of Christianity in the United States. Since Christianity means such different things to different people, he focused his attention on what he called the "born again" segment of Christianity which would cover most mainline or fundamental Christian groups.

Some of his findings were quite surprising. For instance, did you know that the percentage of our population attending a Sunday church service is greater today than in the Colonial times? This is remarkable seeing that we generally recognize the colonists stated reason for coming to the new world in the first place was for freedom of religion. Quite tired of religious tyranny, the first settlers sought a place where their religious convictions could be practiced without the oppression of governmental interference. But now, it seems, there is a larger segment of America seeking to worship.

Also interesting is that the number of people who believe that the Bible is the Word of God is at an all-time high. Other facts indicate that more people believe in a literal heaven and hell than any time in history and more claim a "born again" experience than ever before. With all the negativity concerning how Christianity is portrayed in Hollywood and the media, I find it remarkable that these numbers are so significant.

But then Gallup has to ruin it. He states what is obvious to him as a pollster and that which will no doubt be upheld by our honest observations as well. He said, "Never before in the history of the United States has the gospel made such inroads while at the same time made so little difference as to how people live."

Wham! Right between the eyes. Gallup has identified one of the most insidious inroads that Satan has been able to make in his war against God. If he can't keep people from claiming Jesus as Lord, he'll just influence those people to make it just a claim. Nothing is worse than watered-down Christianity. Nothing speaks less of Jesus than talk without walk. Nothing will be less threatening to the devil's schemes than anemic, milk-toast Christian-sounding philosophy without the power to transform lives.

Paul was referring to this condition when he wrote Timothy concerning those "having a form of godliness but denying its power". The socially based, its-in-vogue-so-I'll-join religion of many will not produce inner peace, real purpose for living, nor the ability (or desire) to purge life of its impurities. It's a life in which one attempts to balance God with career, family and entertainment as if He is just another segment of an already over-crowded life.

Christ must not be a part of our lives. True discipleship dictates that nothing can be in my life that can't fit under the umbrella of his lordship. A "christianity" that cannot produce a transformed life is not real. It is not effective. If has no value and no future. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed... (Romans 12:2)

Being born again "statistically" serves no purpose. We are called to "walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:1-14). How's your walk? Make it count!