Does Christianity have a future ? Part 4

The battleground will be the media. Whatever direction the media culture ultimately points to will be the determining factor on how our current generation will view Christianity. That’s why we have no choice but to enter into this arena. As difficult as this may sound, in the future God’s truth and glory may reside in the media culture and not in the Church itself. It could provide a refuge for a remnant of the God’s truth.

The media culture presents unique challenges to the future of Christianity. But it also has given us an incredible opportunity to reach out to a new generation who live and breathe in today’s media church. How do we maximize our opportunities? How do we meet the challenges? And what’s our best strategies? With an uncertain future, one thing is clear. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. We must make certain that our message is pure. There is only one God and one way to heaven.

Romans 10:9 says “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.” NLT Jesus said in John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” NLT

The media culture has exerted an enormous amount of pressure on the fundamental teachings of Christianity. Members of the church of media are searching for spirituality and are likely to see Christ as one of the answers but not the ultimate one. We must be clear. Christ is the only way. There is no second option. All roads do not lead to heaven.

The emergent church and the market-driven church are both examples of how the media culture has impacted the Body of Christ. If we put our interests and wants ahead of God’s purpose and plan, we will fail. The media culture teaches us that we are more important and can decide for ourselves what is in our best interest. It would be easy to accept philosophies and beliefs that suggest that whatever we believe or whatever God we embrace would lead us to the truth. We must reject this. Elements of the emergent church have elevated other religions and beliefs to the level of authority of Christianity. We must reject this. The market-driven church is teaching us that it’s our happiness and well being that are important and that as long as we feel good about ourselves, there is nothing to be concerned about. We must see through these strategies. God alone and not ourselves is to be at the center of our lives.

Some may say this does not express a tolerant view; nevertheless, it is the truth. We must not compromise with the media culture on the basic teaching of the Gospel message. I am also convinced the media culture is more than willing to talk. Members of the church of media desire discussion and interaction. I believe our media missionaries should be creating art that is asking questions that particularly are aimed at the members of the church of media.

As the Body of Christ, we don’t have all the answers. It would be refreshing and perhaps a more honest approach if we just admitted that we can’t explain everything in the Bible. The Bible does contain mysteries that simply are beyond the grasp of the human mind. John 21:25 says “Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written.” NCV That would seem to suggest there is a great deal of knowledge that for whatever reason God has decided not to reveal. I am convinced that the church of media would welcome such a fresh approach. There is nothing wrong with sitting down and talking and discussing the Word of God, as long as we are clear that there are some fundamental truths that are absolutely essential to the Christian faith.