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The Church Failed America

By Adrian Fleming | November 8th, 2024

In this recent election cycle, multiple states enacted radical abortion laws that represent a significant shift in societal values. Arizona’s Proposition 139, legalizing abortion up to 24 weeks, is one of the most permissive in the nation. At 24 weeks, a fetus is unmistakably human, yet legislation like this has gained support, underscoring a concerning cultural shift.

What role does the church play in this?

The church has a mission, one that encompasses civil responsibilities. As Christians, we are called to be a lamp on a hill, a light in the darkness. Tragically, many believers failed to seize the opportunity to let their voices be heard and to stand as that light in dark times. This isn’t a new issue; the church has been slipping for a long time, caught in a pattern of political correctness, avoiding controversy, and sidestepping difficult truths. But it’s precisely this attitude of silence and compromise that has led to radical measures like Prop 139 passing. The church was meant to stand firm, to speak out, and to shine brightly in times like these. Instead, it’s been dulled by a fear of offending, leading to a crisis in values that reflects directly in our laws.

A study by the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University revealed that in this past election, 41 million self-identified Christians chose not to vote. Many have bought into the lie that this world is meaningless, that elections are futile. They see their purpose as solely heavenly, ignoring the call to be a light on earth and to confront wickedness, as Jesus did. This apathetic attitude toward our nation is contrary to everything Jesus Christ preached.

Take, for example, Andy Stanley. Known for his ability to say much without saying anything, Stanley, pastor of a large congregation, made waves in a viral message before the election. In the clip, he defends Democrats, arguing it’s wrong to say Democrats can’t be true Christians. Yet, while his claim may sound inclusive, Stanley fails to address the deeper issue: the Democratic Party platform endorses and promotes values fundamentally opposed to Christianity. He avoids discussing this troubling reality because doing so would require courage and a willingness to be politically incorrect. He tells his congregation it’s wrong for conservatives to call Democrats evil. However, while it’s true that some individuals dehumanize those with differing views, the church must acknowledge that there’s nothing wrong with calling out policies that are morally wrong.

Consider these policies: the endorsement of abortion, the promotion of gender ideology that includes transitioning and even castrating children, and identity politics that divides society by race and class. These are positions the Democratic platform embraces, and each one stands in opposition to biblical values. To deny this is to deny the truth of God’s Word.

When you look at Jesus’s ministry and his life, Jesus was very strongly opposed to those who misled individuals in the faith. In the temple, he cared deeply for sinners and those who were misled by religious and political leaders. He spoke courageously and boldly, often using strong language toward the Pharisees, challenging them openly. We should follow his example. We should be able to speak out strongly against the leaders of the Democratic Party. This is the best approach toward confronting our culture. The leaders of the Democratic Party know what they’re doing—they are manipulating Americans, often for money, fame, and political gain. These are the people we should challenge, speak out against boldly, and fight against. For those who have been misled, we should have a heart of compassion, just as Jesus had compassion for those misled by the Pharisees of his day. When we understand how to speak out against this, we understand that speaking against evil is not wrong. Speaking out against evil is good. We should do it more openly.

As the election results come in, we see clips circulating of pastors afraid to confront one another or to call out other churches. But the truth is that Donald Trump’s win was a win for Christianity. Although he has his flaws and is far from the perfect Christian candidate, he aligns more closely with values that resonate with Christianity. However, his victory, and the conservative movement’s win, does not signify the end of the culture war.

The reality is that culture is a grassroots, bottom-up movement. It starts with everyday people—those who go to church, with families, husbands, wives, children, neighbors. It has to start with us, the American people. And how will this movement begin if the church continues to neglect its mission to disciple Christians, to encourage them to live lives that align with God’s Word, and to stand boldly against policies and movements, such as those supported by the Democratic Party, that aim to undermine Christianity and the very foundations of our nation?

Our founding fathers, through a Christian lens, built this country on the principles of freedom and the belief that all men are created equal in the eyes of God. But today, I find myself ashamed of the church’s apathy. To be anything less than outspoken about these truths would be a failure to uphold God’s Word. Until the church and the people of God confront this reality and correct it, we will never see lasting change in America. The responsibility lies with us to act courageously and to stand firm in faith.