Posted on 07/03/2013 8:22:51 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
It's something most Christian parents worry about: You send your kids off to college and when they come back, you find they've lost their faith. The prospect of this happening is why many parents nudge their kids towards Christian colleges, or at least schools with a strong Christian presence on campus.
But in many ways, the damage has been done long before our children set foot on campus. That's the message from a recent article in the Atlantic Monthly.
My friend Larry Taunton of the Fixed Point Foundation set out to find out why so many young Christians lose their faith in college. He did this by employing a method I don't recall being used before: He asked them.
The Fixed Point Foundation asked members of the Secular Students Associations on campuses around the nation to tell them about their "journey to unbelief." Taunton was not only surprised by the level of response but, more importantly, about the stories he and his colleagues heard.
Instead of would-be Richard Dawkins', the typical respondent was more like Phil, a student Taunton interviewed. Phil had grown up in church; he had even been the president of his youth group. What drove Phil away wasn't the lure of secular materialism or even Christian moral teaching. And he was specifically upset when his church changed youth pastors.
Whereas his old youth pastor "knew the Bible" and made Phil "feel smart" about his faith even when he didn't have all the answers, the new youth pastor taught less and played more.
Phil's loss of faith coincided with his church's attempt to ingratiate itself to him instead of challenging him. According to Taunton, Phil's story "was on the whole typical of the stories we would hear from students across the country."
These kids had attended church but "the mission and message of their churches was vague," and manifested itself in offering "superficial answers to life's difficult questions." The ministers they respected were those "who took the Bible seriously," not those who sought to entertain them or be their "buddy."
Taunton also learned that, for many kids, their journey to unbelief was an emotional, not just an intellectual one.
Taunton's findings are counter-intuitive. Much of what passes for youth ministry these days is driven by a morbid fear of boring our young charges. As a result, a lot of time is spent trying to devise ways to entertain them.
The rest of the time is spent worrying about whether the Christian message will turn kids off. But as Taunton found, young people, like the not-so-young, respect people with conviction-provided they know what they're talking about.
Taunton talks about his experiences with the late Christopher Hitchens, who, in their debates, refrained from attacking him. When asked why, Hitchens replied, "Because you believe it."
I don't know what that says about Hitchens' other Christian debate partners, but it is a potent reminder that playing down the truth claims of the Christian faith doesn't work. People don't believe those they don't respect.
Here's something that one of the students told Larry Taunton; he said, "Christianity is something that if you really believed it, it would change your life and you would want to change [the lives] of others. I haven't seen too much of that."
Folks, that's pretty sobering. This puts the ball in our court. Are we living lives that show our children that we actually believe what we say we believe? And here's another question-do we actually believe it? I have to say, as a parent I'm taking this very seriously. If possible, join me in reading Taunton's excellent article. Come to BreakPoint.org and we'll link you to it.
I believe salvation is between the individual and God. I’ve been getting the bible in pretty heavy doses lately and I’m getting to the point where I think that the concept of pre-destination is pretty accurate. That is, it is not that someone is “pre-destined” to be a believer, but that God, being outside of time, knows what someone’s final condition will be and that is why they are in the book of life.
If a person leaves the faith, I see them as the seed dropped along the side of the road.
And if only it was so simple that one could convince their children to become Christians. Your salvation does not depend on whether your parents were Christians. It is completely irrelevant. That would have far reaching implications that contradict the message of the bible.
In many cases they my not be practicing and attending church but their beliefs are still there. In my personal case I haven’t attended church in years, because I have seen too many organizations that dither too much in political/social/gossip activities and not enough in the Word. Sorta the way the Rinos have abandoned conservative principles.
People are sinners blindly following any person or group of people will eventually lead us away from the path in the same manner that a minor compass error uncorrected will eventually result in being miles off course.
I have continued to read the Bible and literature about the meaning of the Bible - the literature varies as well, but this is where I believe the personal relationship with God comes into play.
We can never 100% understand God he is too vast and powerful and wonderous for our measly little minds to comprehend, but we can have faith and endeavor to know more and strive to adhere to our understanding of his Word.
Whereas his old youth pastor “knew the Bible” and made Phil “feel smart” about his faith even when he didn’t have all the answers, the new youth pastor taught less and played more.
Phil’s loss of faith coincided with his church’s attempt to ingratiate itself to him instead of challenging him. According to Taunton, Phil’s story “was on the whole typical of the stories we would hear from students across the country.”
People will let you down all the time. That is why Jesus had to die for them as well as me. When people fall short of “my” standards, even if they are church leaders, it doesn’t prove the falsity of Jesus’ message. Rather, they prove their need for the blood of Christ.
A person is setting themself up for disaster if they put their faith in people. But then, a true Christian will still come back to the faith from that disaster. The “false Christian” will have left his “god” permanently.
We shouldn’t poll atheists and no studies are needed, the Word of God clearly answers these questions for us. All those things can do is help us understand why some men reject outward shows of religion. We can mold our churches and our lives to accommodate those who reject Christ and build vast herds of goats, but only God can build a herd of born-again sheep. (1 Corinthians 3:7) We need not fear, not one of His sheep will be lost. He is the good shepherd who knows His sheep. They hear His voice and they follow Him (John 10) Christ said, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me...” John 6:37)
We should never be surprised when anyone rejects Christ. “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”(1 Corinthians 1:18-19)
That so many men reject “the preaching of the cross” as “foolishness” ought to give us tremendous confidence in His Word. It is God who gives us the ability to understand, believe and trust in the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is by grace that any of us believe. Who am I that He opened my eyes to see and believe? What grace He has shown me!
The things of God are foolishness to men dead in trespasses and sins. “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14) Unless a man has been born again by God, he cannot even see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3).
Instead of polling atheists, let’s love them and witness to them. Let’s pray that God will open their eyes to the truth of His Word and His glorious gospel. “But by the grace of God go I” couldn’t be more true.
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Romans 1:21
They are being taught by those who are ashamed of what they are teaching. The teachers come across as phony or hypocritical. This makes sense to me.
In my case, it was a lack of evidence, and the cult-like veneration, er, “respect” accorded to the clerisy of the branch of Christianity that I was raised in.
I am not a Christian because my parents raised me Christian. They didn’t. And my three daughters were all raised Assembly of God and were even members of the Junior Bible Quiz Team. They knew their bible and were very involved in the church. That didn’t save them. Only the blood of Jesus can save them.
Their mother divorced me (no fault. She was just tired of being married) in the late 90’s when my oldest was 16. Now one is a Bhudist and the other two are agnostic. So far...
Does it bother me? Yes and no. I love them and would like to see them in heaven, but Jesus is very clear on the matter when he describes who his “mother and brothers” are.
To the “perfect” Christian, blood is NOT thicker than water. I’m not “perfect”, but I am being perfected.
There are plenty of people I can share the gospel with beyond just my blood relatives. All of them are equal in God’s eyes.
I cringe every time I see an American flag in a church. I wonder if the seven churches had their nations flag in them. ;)
I think you said it very well. And, no offense taken. But, you bring up a good question...if the "...messages of Christianity are at the same time very fundamentally simple and profoundly sophisticated and complex." what are those messages?
I said, “I am not a Christian because my parents raised me Christian.”
I needed to follow up with, “I am a Christian because the Lord called me via the teaching of others.”
I left the impression that I am not a Christian. Sorry.
Amen, FRiend! They may have lost some lucky rabbits foot they were holding on to, but no Christian has ever become a non-believer. You cannot slip into and out of the family of God. God finishes what He starts.
“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6)
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Romans 1:21
Objection!
James 5:19-20
My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
Bottom line: If you don’t “walk the walk” then it is useless to “talk the talk”...!
Laodicea?
To the Church in Laodicea
14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.
15 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”
Great point. It also explains what is happening within the Republican party.
I think what you wrote is quite correct.
Christianity can be as simple as “believe and receive” and it needs to be in the beginning. But Christianity is also a relationship that takes decades to build upon and also one where you need to see God’s handiwork in your disappointments and failures as much as your victories. That’s very nuanced stuff, particularly for those who haven’t take the first steps.
What youth want more than anything from church leaders is authenticity. Be able to admit what you don’t know and say that some Scriptures can be seen in more than one way but that the Author is always correct and we must accept His guidance even when the world thinks differently.
When my oldest, Christian daughter was in high school, someone asked her about going to college. She said, "I've seen the (spiritual) fruit and am not impressed."
Wonderful article. Thanks for posting this, SeekAndFind. Sending it my my 30-ish pastor who just took the adult Bible study through the fundamentals of the Reformation, without prejudice towards Catholicism. We got down to bedrock on what we believe as followers of Christ’s teachings.
It’s not that surprising to me. Many churches have liberalized their message to the point where it shows they have no real respect for the Bible or the faith that was handed down to them. If there is one thing that is sure to put off young people, it is such perceived hypocrisy from those who presume to lecture them.
My kids were engaged in a Military Chapel youth group and shared how it was all silliness. The leaders were always excited about the number of kids who showed up at the beginning of the year, but then by mid-year the only ones left were the serious Christians.
One of the leaders was becoming cynical. I told her my thoughts but she didn't want to hear about it.
On the flip side, I know a young combat arms SFC who came to Christ because he said he saw a group of men who took their faith seriously. He was cynical about the easy believism he saw all around him. When he met us the lights came on...
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