The Spirit of Tolerance, Post-Christian America and the Laodicean Church
This month, the youth-oriented Relevant magazine, published by Cameron Strang, ran an article on the topic of post-Christian America. Quoting a Barna Group study, the article cited that in America, seven of 10 people describe themselves as Christian. Yet consider the following statistics cited:
- 57 percent have not read the Bible in the last week
- 41 percent agree that Jesus committed sins
- 29 percent disagree that the Bible is accurate
We Need a Wake-Up Call
A while back, I was going to the airport in a van when a 20-something young man seated behind me related the following account of his pregnant wife’s recent death: “While driving home, I simply dozed for a few seconds. Rebounding, I found myself drifting into the next lane and then it was too late. The truck hit her side, and I lost the love of my life … and our first child.”
Tragedies happen. Some can be prevented; others can’t. Wisdom dictates vigilance. In pivotal times, it’s imperative we don’t let our guard down, especially as it relates to the direction of our country.
Are we all aware of both the gravity and the opportunity of the current situation? After Roe v. Wade legalized abortion, 9/11 terrorized America and the recent Supreme Court ruling legitimized gay marriage, I pray we have had our collective wake-up call and will not push the snooze alarm, returning to sleep.
Not long ago, I returned from Amsterdam, where I had a distinct wake-up call and a preview of where America is headed if we don’t awaken and reclaim our nation from encroaching secularism, narcissism and relativism. For Americans who cherish our nation’s founding values of faith and freedom, I echo an urgent message: “If we snooze, we can lose!”
Amsterdam, Holland, was the launch pad for our nation. Remember where our first settlers came from? The Dutch explorer Henry Hudson first came to New York, officially called “New Netherlands.” New York City was called “New Amsterdam.” Brooklyn, Harlem, the Hudson—all derive their names from our ancestors. And what was Holland known for then, which continues today? Tolerance.
Tolerance historically meant “respect for others’ beliefs.” Today it’s come to mean “respect for others’ conduct.” In other words, there’s no absolute standard of morality. “Every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judg. 17:6, KJV).
Where can this approach lead? In Amsterdam, the following is now legal:
- Abortion on demand
- Euthanasia (otherwise known as mercy killings)
- Forms of infanticide
- Same-sex marriage
- Drugs (hundreds of coffee shops sell hashish alongside mochas)
- Sex shows and open, explicit pornography on the streets
- Prostitution (27,000 “registered” ladies sit in sidewalk display windows)
- Public nudity
- Explicit LGBTQ activity
- Sex-change operations (called “gender reassignments” and subsidized by tax dollars)
Furthermore, the age of consent is now 12, and burnout—where people drop out and take “leave” from work—is rampant and financed by tax dollars. (Most citizens get their full salary and can renew in five-year cycles.)
Is this America’s future? Secularists say, “Why not?”
Gay entrepreneur Tim Gill gives $15 million of his money to support gay marriage in America and says of us, “They won’t know what hit them!” while billionaire George Soros invests countless millions in causes to fund this type of “progressive” vision for the United States of America.
The Time for Boldness Is Now
The first-century church prayed like this: “Grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word” (Acts 4:29). I hope my example and this column will do likewise in the hearts of Christians nationwide. We really don’t have the luxury of submitting to a spirit of fear anymore. It’s D-Day! It’s time to stand up and speak out charitably and convincingly in every sphere of our society.
A few days ago, I had the privilege of spending some time in the home of Christian strategist Ralph Reed. He told me he is writing a new book entitled Awakening and is convinced that is the need of the hour. As people of faith begin to awaken across this land to the urgency of the hour and the tremendous opportunity we have to bring the light of God’s truth into the darkness, multitudes will become emboldened, and we’ll experience the mighty revival for which we all long.
This morning I walked into an abortion clinic. In the waiting room were four young men and a young lady who was obviously filling out some forms prior to her potential abortion. I stood in the center of the room, smiling, and slowly swiveled to be seen by them all. Then I turned and squarely faced the young lady, who looked me straight in the eyes. Speaking in a warm, soft-spoken manner, I put my hands in front of my chest as if I was praying and asked her, “Is it OK to ask someone not to take the life of their pre-born baby in here?”
I lingered about five more seconds as the soft explosion filled the silent room, and then I exited, praying silently under my breath. What did God do in their conscience at that moment?
Out on the sidewalk were two faithful pro-life sidewalk counselors who asked me what happened. When I related what God led me to do, one of them, a college coed, looked at me and said, “Boy, that was bold!” I sensed my actions had inspired them immensely and awakened greater courage.
Years ago, in a college auditorium filled with students, I stood in the midst of a rally being held by a false Indian spiritual guru who was misleading the masses with his spiritual gobbledygook and deceptive statements about a mush god. Point blank, I asked him about Jesus Christ and His being the only true God. When the man repeatedly tried to evade the issue, I raised my voice and challenged those college students who believed Jesus Christ to be the only Son of God to get up and get out of the auditorium immediately. Dozens did.
One of the young men who exited later told me he had been compromising and “on the fence” for a long time but that when he witnessed what I did, he said in his heart, “I want to be like that guy—an authentic Christian!” Today he is a full-time pastor in a megachurch in the D.C. area. All he needed was for someone to stand up and speak out charitably and boldly. His heart was awakened. How many others are out there like him today?
Let’s put an end to the Laodicean spirit that has infiltrated much of Christ’s church today. Jesus tells the Laodicean church, “I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth” (Rev. 3:15-16). But “the righteous are bold as a lion” (Prov. 28:1). Lets awaken to righteousness and become Satan’s worst nightmare in these climactic days before Christ’s return!
Larry Tomczak is a best-selling author and cultural commentator with over 40 years of trusted ministry experience. His passion is to bring perspective, analysis and insight from a biblical worldview. He loves people and loves awakening them to today’s cultural realities and the responses needed for the bride of Christ—His church—to become influential in all spheres of life once again.
