Death of European Christianity
By: D. James Heffner
Where have all the Christians gone? This is the question on the minds of not only the newly elected Pope, but also journalists and politicians in America and Europe. Wasn't so long ago Europeans were sending Missionaries to the United States from which many mighty denominations and a Christian nation arose. The elections of 2004 made it quite clear there are a huge number of evangelicals in America. Europe however has gone the other way!
Europeans have embraced a dogma that has flushed the influence of the Church down the drain. Whether you call it Liberal or Secular it is a disease that needs a cure. Even the Pope realizes this as the Catholic Church’s influence in European affairs has almost vanished. Europe has become a spiritual wasteland; degradation and corruption have overridden Christian principles in society and politics.
There are some people that firmly believe Europe will be Islamized within this century. Have there been no efforts by European Christians to aggressively evangelize the Islamic immigrants to Europe? Apparently not to any degree so as to have a positive impact on European society. Could it be the adherents of Islam are spreading all over the globe for the express purpose of destroying Christianity’s influence in order to create an Islamic world?
Seems to me that Europe is ripe for such an outcome. Don’t forget that criticism of Islam is met with, in some cases, deadly force and in the Mideast riots of hatred for alleged desecration of the Quran – Islam takes their holy book seriously. To them it IS the word of God; unlike the majority of Christians who pick and choose from the Bible whatever seems ‘applicable’ to their liking. It is this fundamental lack of belief in the Bible, as well as the arguments about what it means, that is the root cause of the decline of Christianity in Europe. This must change!
The European Union is attempting to create a single government for all it’s member nations to adhere to. Citizens of several countries – France and the Netherlands – have (at the time this was written) some serious doubts about this and have voted “no” on the adoption of a European Constitution (which by the way avoids any reference to the historic impact of Christianity in Europe – and also rejects any mention of God). One of the main concerns about the constitution is the loss of ‘national identity’ due to the liberalized immigration policies proposed by the EU. Simply stated, the bulk of immigrants have been from Muslim countries and many Europeans are scared to death that Islam will take root and flourish all across Europe, thereby diluting the ‘national identity’ of these nations. Citizens of Germany, France and the Netherlands are the most vocal in this matter. Spain is already a lost cause whereas once a bastion of the Catholic Church it has lost all influence within the government of Spain.
A recent news article pointed out that, “The Dutch are faced with a problem of their own making. They have admitted 1.7 million immigrants, many of them from nations that share none of their political or religious history. In a nation of 16 million people, the Dutch have among the highest concentration of Muslims in the EU.” America is not far behind in this trend of Muslim migration – many of these immigrants have no other purpose than to create an Islamic America. America’s attitude of respecting all religious beliefs is going to be its downfall. It’s time for Christians to unite in an effort to stem the tide by preaching the Gospel’s message of ‘deny Jesus and you are doomed’. But I doubt that will happen as Christians in America fails to see this problem as it develops before their eyes.
I am not questioning the huge increase of Evangelicals all over the world due to outreach efforts by many denominations and churches. Thousands everywhere are turning to Jesus as their Savior. But, without serious discipleship this will not last – as it has not in Africa nor Asia where Islam is flourishing. Planting a church is not sufficient to win the World for Christ without follow-up and discipeling it will not survive the coming onslaught of Islam.
Update 10/21/06: “…Christian imagery abounds in Belgium, but only 3 people in 1,000 claim Christ as their Savior. The nation is economically wealthy but spiritually destitute. The prevailing theme of the awe inspiring architecture in Europe is religious – in fact, Christian. Majestic cathedrals and landmarks named after saints are clear but mute testimony to a vital Christian past. … Prague is estimated to be more than 90 percent atheist. … And modern Greece is in spiritual ruins. Europe could be essentially termed post-Christian. More than 250,000 villages, towns and cities do not have a gospel witness. In 22 countries, fewer than 1 person in 100 is an evangelical Christian. In half of those countries, the ratio is less than 1 in 500. … Thirty years ago, missionaries lamented over the continent’s growing indifference to the gospel. Revival fires kindled by Martin Luther, Charles Wesley and John Calvin had dimmed as materialism, pluralism and overall indifference seemed to continually gain ground.” (Source: TPE magazine, Oct 1, ’06, pages19 to 25. By: Randy Hurst, Communications Director for AG World Missions.)
Simply put here’s what I believe must be done:
Christians from around the world need to descend on Europe with the greatest message ever heard – The Gospel of the Kingdom of God, and that Jesus is the only name by which one can be Saved. If all the previous crusades, etc., had worked Europe wouldn't’ be in this situation.
Christians in America need to realize and act upon the Muslim threat to Jesus and our beliefs and values that is growing in America. The ‘let’s get along’ attitude will not work and to think otherwise is to invite destruction.
It is past the time when Christian ‘Warriors’ should be on the march – we are beyond the curve and losing ground one Mosque at a time.
To assure a Christian America remains viable there must be an increase emphasis and support of evangelizing college students (universities are a hot bed of liberalism) particularly those who are studying Journalism.
A concentrated effort to evangelize the members of the various media is essential in defeating their obvious disdain for Christians in general and the Gospel in particular. To influence society you need to infiltrate the bastions of those who are doing the influencing. Christian TV for all its good is nothing more than another channel on the menu of hundreds of channels, as such it is mostly preaching to the believers.
Finally, those in government need to be converted, or encouraged to stand firm on Christian principles, so the laws of this nation do not snuff out our right to believe and act on those beliefs. We can no longer tolerate the hatred of those in the minority who are challenging the Church at every turn. The elections of 2004 have shown there is tremendous support for electing people who profess Christianity – some of those elected are actually standing on the Word of God. This is a good beginning, but it’s not enough, because those on the Liberal Right are regrouping for another battle and we dare not rest on our laurels; one battle has been won but the war goes on!
I realize the Bible clearly states such times as the present situation will occur but, this does not mean we are to sit on our hands and do nothing.
I am interested in your opinion so please e-mail me!
