The 10,000-meter men’s speed-skating event at the Vancouver Olympics gave the record books an infamous historic “first.” Holland’s—and the world’s for that matter—most famous long-distance skater, Sven Kramer, appeared to have won another gold medal. But he skated into a tragic athletic catastrophe and uttered three searing words intended for his errant coach: “Are you stupid?” We have yet to hear a reasonable answer, but when it comes, the inference will be, “Yes, I’m stupid.” It’s not a matter of intelligence but rather a matter of attention.
In speed-skating, skaters remain in their own lane since they are racing against the clock. Everyone must skate the same distance, so the oval track requires a specific number of lane changes. As Kramer approached one of the straight sections on the 17th lap, he faltered in a moment of indecision. It appeared that he would stay in the outside lane, but he swung his right leg over the marker opting to go inside and sped on, flying past the finish line in record time. But instead of gaining another gold medal, he was disqualified from the race and sat dejectedly with nothing, obliged to watch the second-place Korean skater take his golden victory lap.
Kramer’s fleeting moment of lane change came on the yelled instructions of his coach, Gerald Kempers, who signaled from the sidelines. Kramer was reported to say after the race, “This is really an expensive mistake.” One reporter wrote, “It would have been an Olympic record, but now it is reduced to a historic footnote.” A distressed Dutch teammate declared that it was “all your bad dreams coming true.” While a Dutch teammate did advance to win the bronze, his victory was soured, and he said, “You don’t want to win a medal like this….”
And the coach is in big trouble as all Holland’s hopes were dashed. Someone suggested he might need the “witness protection program” when he returns home.
The mistake is indelibly etched in Kramer's memory and is indeed a pathetic Olympic footnote. More serious is the biblical warning of lost crowns in the spiritual race for kingdom rewards. In addition to salvation as a free gift, believers have personal credits for obtaining crowns in the race of life. “If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” (1 Corinthians 3:14-15)
Salvation is by faith, but rewards are from faithfulness—those necessary lane changes in the will of God. Our Coach never issues flawed instructions, but sin, distraction or indifference can sometimes garble the commands. There is never a problem with the Lord’s directions, but there is plenty wrong with our personal reception. Kramer obeyed his coach, who had it wrong. When we disobey our unerring Coach, we get it wrong and we “suffer loss.”
Scripture is often couched in athletic terms as in Hebrews 12:1-2. “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Even crowns that seem to be gained can be lost as Revelation 3:11 warns, “Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.” And II John 8 says, “Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.”
Believers need not only to finish the course but to finish it accurately, in the proper lane. We all know the race begins with birth and ends with either our death or the Lord’s coming. Between those benchmarks are countless decisions—lane changes we might say—that need the best coaching possible. That is available from the Lord through prayer, Bible study and sometimes wise counsel from godly people. The prophet Ezra said it well. “… that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions” (Ezra 8:21).
Olympians compete “to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.” (1 Cor. 9:25c).
Dave Virkler
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Consumer Confidence In Crisis?
The story was called simply, “Consumer confidence falls sharply,” a title that speaks for itself.
The Associated Press is reporting that Americans' outlook on the economy went into relapse in February. Apparently it was the rising job worries that caused a key barometer of confidence to fall to its lowest point in 10 months. The drop raises even deeper concerns about any soon-coming or meaningful financial recovery. The Consumer Confidence Index fell almost 11 points to 46 in February, down from a revised 56.5 in January. February's reading is well below the 61.4 figure in September 2008, when the financial crisis intensified with the collapse of Lehman Brothers.
The increasing pessimism is a large blow to hopes that consumer spending will power an economic recovery – something extremely unfortunate since job numbers don’t typically improve until after a recovery in consumer spending and confidence.
In many ways any monetary system is based on faith and confidence. The two are inseparable and are the foundation of any modern society. Remove either and trouble soon follows. Sometimes even total collapse! The same holds true in spiritual matters with one notable exception. Faith and confidence in the God of the Bible never falters. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and fully immutable, meaning He never changes from age to age as Malachi 3:6 records. "For I am the LORD, I do not change.” That same thought is echoed in Hebrews 13:8 where the writer states, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today , and forever.”
Confidence is really key in practically every of area of life. It certainly comes into play for marital and other relationships. We believe that our employers will fairly compensate for work performed. We have confidence that the vehicles we drive are built safely and that others will obey the all-important rules of the road. We trust those who fly the friendly skies and who perform critical medical procedures to be fully competent in their chosen field. We never think twice about having full confidence in the labels that describe our food and medicine. And we trust our federal government and police force to protect us from outside and inner aggression by those who rebel against common decency and the laws of the land.
In reality, it is hard to find a slice of life where having confidence is not the backbone in one way of another. And yet, every area mentioned above, and some that were not, have the potential to have that sacred trust twisted or shattered all together. Toyota has admitted that some of their cars are faulty and dangerous. Thousands of needless accidents occur due to careless driving. The divorce rate is still off the chart in America and elsewhere. Malpractice suits abound when doctors misdiagnose an illness or a cure. Even our food and water is suspect at times and can cause occasional sicknesses or death. Nothing in this life is worthy of blind confidence, no matter how important or what category.
But there is a God who deserves and commands total confidence. His track record has been perfect from the foundation of the world. Verses abound that substantiate the need, logic, and striking benefits of placing full confidence in His word, ways, and will. Psalm 118:8-9 puts it like this. “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.” The wisdom of Proverbs adds, “In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge." (Proverbs 14:26)
The writer of Hebrews also chimed in chapter ten stating, “Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.” (Hebrews 10:35-36)
Confidence in Christ is the key issue in this life and the next. Nothing else matters, nothing else is secure, and nothing else give true and lasting peace. And those who would please Him need only to know and apply the simple, but life-altering, command found in 1 John 2:28. “And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.”
Life is a precious and priceless gift. It is often filled with great joy and meaningful events. But life also includes certain hardships and sometimes overwhelming difficulties. But for the child of God, there is always the blessed reality and the divine benefit described in Proverbs 3:26.
"For the LORD will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught."
Bill Breckenridge
The Associated Press is reporting that Americans' outlook on the economy went into relapse in February. Apparently it was the rising job worries that caused a key barometer of confidence to fall to its lowest point in 10 months. The drop raises even deeper concerns about any soon-coming or meaningful financial recovery. The Consumer Confidence Index fell almost 11 points to 46 in February, down from a revised 56.5 in January. February's reading is well below the 61.4 figure in September 2008, when the financial crisis intensified with the collapse of Lehman Brothers.
The increasing pessimism is a large blow to hopes that consumer spending will power an economic recovery – something extremely unfortunate since job numbers don’t typically improve until after a recovery in consumer spending and confidence.
In many ways any monetary system is based on faith and confidence. The two are inseparable and are the foundation of any modern society. Remove either and trouble soon follows. Sometimes even total collapse! The same holds true in spiritual matters with one notable exception. Faith and confidence in the God of the Bible never falters. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and fully immutable, meaning He never changes from age to age as Malachi 3:6 records. "For I am the LORD, I do not change.” That same thought is echoed in Hebrews 13:8 where the writer states, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today , and forever.”
Confidence is really key in practically every of area of life. It certainly comes into play for marital and other relationships. We believe that our employers will fairly compensate for work performed. We have confidence that the vehicles we drive are built safely and that others will obey the all-important rules of the road. We trust those who fly the friendly skies and who perform critical medical procedures to be fully competent in their chosen field. We never think twice about having full confidence in the labels that describe our food and medicine. And we trust our federal government and police force to protect us from outside and inner aggression by those who rebel against common decency and the laws of the land.
In reality, it is hard to find a slice of life where having confidence is not the backbone in one way of another. And yet, every area mentioned above, and some that were not, have the potential to have that sacred trust twisted or shattered all together. Toyota has admitted that some of their cars are faulty and dangerous. Thousands of needless accidents occur due to careless driving. The divorce rate is still off the chart in America and elsewhere. Malpractice suits abound when doctors misdiagnose an illness or a cure. Even our food and water is suspect at times and can cause occasional sicknesses or death. Nothing in this life is worthy of blind confidence, no matter how important or what category.
But there is a God who deserves and commands total confidence. His track record has been perfect from the foundation of the world. Verses abound that substantiate the need, logic, and striking benefits of placing full confidence in His word, ways, and will. Psalm 118:8-9 puts it like this. “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.” The wisdom of Proverbs adds, “In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge." (Proverbs 14:26)
The writer of Hebrews also chimed in chapter ten stating, “Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.” (Hebrews 10:35-36)
Confidence in Christ is the key issue in this life and the next. Nothing else matters, nothing else is secure, and nothing else give true and lasting peace. And those who would please Him need only to know and apply the simple, but life-altering, command found in 1 John 2:28. “And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.”
Life is a precious and priceless gift. It is often filled with great joy and meaningful events. But life also includes certain hardships and sometimes overwhelming difficulties. But for the child of God, there is always the blessed reality and the divine benefit described in Proverbs 3:26.
"For the LORD will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught."
Bill Breckenridge
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
The Miracle of Miracles?
Hockey is in the headlines again after the 2010 American Olympic team overcame the odds to beat a highly favored Canadian club in their own backyard in the first round of the Vancouver Winter Games. The talented Team Canada is reeling from the loss as is an entire nation where the sport reaches, and often exceeds, the status of religion. The U.S. team now holds in their hands their own destiny.
Speaking of destiny, it was 30 years ago today that a small young group of unknown mostly college hockey players did the unthinkable, if not the impossible. At the Lake Placid Olympics the amateur American team faced and eventually defeated the world’s most formidable pro hockey machine from the then Soviet Union. The victory was quickly dubbed “Miracle On Ice”, since the opposition had won the previous four Olympic titles and 14 of the previous 17 world championships.
But the unlikely defeat of Russia’s longtime dominant squad greatly exceeded the realm of sport. It was global. It became a miniature representation of two nations waging what was then called “The Cold War”. The Soviets were devastated at the upstart kids whose performance shed doubt around the world on what the Communist nation claimed to be a superior way of life. History would also prove them wrong not long after the U.S Hockey team proved them vulnerable.
The most memorable moment from the 1980 gold medal run was considered the single greatest moment in all of sports. Its stunning memory would be memorialized by the words from then commentator Al Michels who, with just seconds left, shouted to the world, “Do you believe in miracles?
”Wikipedia encyclopedia defines a miracle as “an unexpected event attributed to divine intervention. Sometimes an event is also attributed (in part) to a miracle worker, saint, or religious leader. A miracle is sometimes thought of as a perceptible interruption of the laws of nature. Others suggest that God may work with the laws of nature to perform what people perceive as miracles. Theologians say that, with divine providence, God regularly works through created nature yet is free to work without, above, or against it as well."
For a miracle to truly be just that does require divine intervention even when God does make use of flawed people to achieve His ends. The Bible is littered with God-designed miracles in the Old and New Testament alike. Most would think of the miracles of Jesus when he turned water to wine, fed thousands with fragments, healed the sick, and even raised the dead on occasion.
But the greatest miracle of God, hands down, is often over looked even by those who experience it firsthand. The Bible describes miracle number one as being “born-again". To end any doubt concerning its importance, Jesus spoke of it clearly and powerfully in John’s Gospel, chapter three. In verses 5-7 He stated to an inquisitive Nicodemus, “I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.” The Savior left no room for other options – period!
In the spiritual realm, the famous line, “Do you believe in miracles?” is more than just a clever collection of memorable words describing a monstrous historical event. The reason is profound. Ultimately it is belief that matters in life, death, and eternity, but not the basic belief that there is a supernatural being somehow and somewhere as James 2:19 assures, “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe — and tremble.”
The belief that leads to redemption is all about a believing faith and sincere trust in a Savior who alone can forgive sin and cleanse the human heart - forever. It is the belief that brings about the condition Jesus spoke of to Nicodemus. And although numerous places substantiate this great theological truth, it is nowhere better seen than in 1 John 5:11-13.
“And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.”
Speaking of destiny, it was 30 years ago today that a small young group of unknown mostly college hockey players did the unthinkable, if not the impossible. At the Lake Placid Olympics the amateur American team faced and eventually defeated the world’s most formidable pro hockey machine from the then Soviet Union. The victory was quickly dubbed “Miracle On Ice”, since the opposition had won the previous four Olympic titles and 14 of the previous 17 world championships.
But the unlikely defeat of Russia’s longtime dominant squad greatly exceeded the realm of sport. It was global. It became a miniature representation of two nations waging what was then called “The Cold War”. The Soviets were devastated at the upstart kids whose performance shed doubt around the world on what the Communist nation claimed to be a superior way of life. History would also prove them wrong not long after the U.S Hockey team proved them vulnerable.
The most memorable moment from the 1980 gold medal run was considered the single greatest moment in all of sports. Its stunning memory would be memorialized by the words from then commentator Al Michels who, with just seconds left, shouted to the world, “Do you believe in miracles?
”Wikipedia encyclopedia defines a miracle as “an unexpected event attributed to divine intervention. Sometimes an event is also attributed (in part) to a miracle worker, saint, or religious leader. A miracle is sometimes thought of as a perceptible interruption of the laws of nature. Others suggest that God may work with the laws of nature to perform what people perceive as miracles. Theologians say that, with divine providence, God regularly works through created nature yet is free to work without, above, or against it as well."
For a miracle to truly be just that does require divine intervention even when God does make use of flawed people to achieve His ends. The Bible is littered with God-designed miracles in the Old and New Testament alike. Most would think of the miracles of Jesus when he turned water to wine, fed thousands with fragments, healed the sick, and even raised the dead on occasion.
But the greatest miracle of God, hands down, is often over looked even by those who experience it firsthand. The Bible describes miracle number one as being “born-again". To end any doubt concerning its importance, Jesus spoke of it clearly and powerfully in John’s Gospel, chapter three. In verses 5-7 He stated to an inquisitive Nicodemus, “I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.” The Savior left no room for other options – period!
In the spiritual realm, the famous line, “Do you believe in miracles?” is more than just a clever collection of memorable words describing a monstrous historical event. The reason is profound. Ultimately it is belief that matters in life, death, and eternity, but not the basic belief that there is a supernatural being somehow and somewhere as James 2:19 assures, “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe — and tremble.”
The belief that leads to redemption is all about a believing faith and sincere trust in a Savior who alone can forgive sin and cleanse the human heart - forever. It is the belief that brings about the condition Jesus spoke of to Nicodemus. And although numerous places substantiate this great theological truth, it is nowhere better seen than in 1 John 5:11-13.
“And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.”
When the members of the 1980 U.S. gold metal hockey team someday individually stand before their Creator, He will in no way be interested in their famed "Miracle On Ice". In that most sobering of all moments, He will instead be asking only this. Do you believe in the 'miracle of all miracles' - the forgiveness of your sins through personal faith in My Son's sacrifice on Calvary's cross?
Bill BreckenridgeSaturday, February 20, 2010
The Hidden Is Now Known
Nine years ago, a CIA-supervised Peruvian Air Force fighter fired lethal bullets into an innocent missionary aircraft that was transporting Jim and Veronica “Roni” Bowers and their two young children on a flight to obtain necessary legal papers for their seven-month old daughter, Charity. For fully an hour and a half, American CIA spotters were in contact with the Peruvian pilots discussing the shoot-down of a suspected drug-running plane.
Having filed the necessary flight plans and on the only frequency he knew with the Peruvian control tower, pilot Kevin Donaldson screamed into the radio mic, “They’re killing us!” They did indeed kill Roni Bowers and her beloved baby girl. Although his legs were badly mangled by the same lethal bullet, Donaldson managed an incredible crash landing of the floatplane on the river as flames shot through the cabin and then danced ominously, as gasoline spilled on the water after landing. Jim, his son Cory and Kevin somehow got out of the doomed plane pulling Roni and Charity after them.
Although the CIA denied blame at the time, dogged efforts by Michigan Congressman Pete Hoekstra, the Bowers’ representative, obtained release of the voice recordings and videos made by the CIA spotter plane crew that tragic April day in 2001 in the Peruvian jungles. It reveals that no positive identification of the missionaries’ plane was made and that the CIA observers said they felt they were making a big mistake but proceeded with the shoot-down regardless. After the past two years of relentless pressure from Hoeskstra, the CIA now admits to numerous procedural errors and has disciplined 16 CIA operatives.
Jim Bowers’ faith shone through the debacle. At a service held in their sending church in Fruitport, Michigan, he a moving testimony to God’s miraculous goodness at the memorial service for his wife and daughter. Jim later sent a Bible to the pilot who shot them down and said that he bore no ill will. Jim remarried, this time to another missionary servant, and son Cory is doing well in his mid-teens. Pilot Kevin Donaldson recovered and flies for missionary causes on another foreign field.
A flood of missionary candidates presented themselves for service after learning about the Bowers’ former ministry to hundreds of villagers along the Amazon River from their 55-foot houseboat. The Bowers’ sending mission organization, the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism, reported astounding global interest in their outreach for Christ as a result of the shoot-down. Congressman Hoekstra of the Bowers’ Michigan district can rest in the fact that his efforts brought truth to light even after so many years.
The truth will always prevail whether in time or eternity. Christ explained this triumph of accurate exposure in Matthew 10:26. “Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.” After nine years, some CIA agents are deeply shamed while faithful Christian servants are clearly exonerated.
These valiant through misused servants of Christ reflect the amazing virtue of Revelation 12:11. “And they overcame him (the Devil) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” Such is the hazard of Christian service, and Jim and Veronica Bowers knew it on departing for the field. Their deputation picture presentation from 1993 contained a song which they personally adopted:
And if God should choose,
And my life I might lose,
Though my foe may slay me
I will serve the Lord.
Dave Virkler
Having filed the necessary flight plans and on the only frequency he knew with the Peruvian control tower, pilot Kevin Donaldson screamed into the radio mic, “They’re killing us!” They did indeed kill Roni Bowers and her beloved baby girl. Although his legs were badly mangled by the same lethal bullet, Donaldson managed an incredible crash landing of the floatplane on the river as flames shot through the cabin and then danced ominously, as gasoline spilled on the water after landing. Jim, his son Cory and Kevin somehow got out of the doomed plane pulling Roni and Charity after them.
Although the CIA denied blame at the time, dogged efforts by Michigan Congressman Pete Hoekstra, the Bowers’ representative, obtained release of the voice recordings and videos made by the CIA spotter plane crew that tragic April day in 2001 in the Peruvian jungles. It reveals that no positive identification of the missionaries’ plane was made and that the CIA observers said they felt they were making a big mistake but proceeded with the shoot-down regardless. After the past two years of relentless pressure from Hoeskstra, the CIA now admits to numerous procedural errors and has disciplined 16 CIA operatives.
Jim Bowers’ faith shone through the debacle. At a service held in their sending church in Fruitport, Michigan, he a moving testimony to God’s miraculous goodness at the memorial service for his wife and daughter. Jim later sent a Bible to the pilot who shot them down and said that he bore no ill will. Jim remarried, this time to another missionary servant, and son Cory is doing well in his mid-teens. Pilot Kevin Donaldson recovered and flies for missionary causes on another foreign field.
A flood of missionary candidates presented themselves for service after learning about the Bowers’ former ministry to hundreds of villagers along the Amazon River from their 55-foot houseboat. The Bowers’ sending mission organization, the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism, reported astounding global interest in their outreach for Christ as a result of the shoot-down. Congressman Hoekstra of the Bowers’ Michigan district can rest in the fact that his efforts brought truth to light even after so many years.
The truth will always prevail whether in time or eternity. Christ explained this triumph of accurate exposure in Matthew 10:26. “Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.” After nine years, some CIA agents are deeply shamed while faithful Christian servants are clearly exonerated.
These valiant through misused servants of Christ reflect the amazing virtue of Revelation 12:11. “And they overcame him (the Devil) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” Such is the hazard of Christian service, and Jim and Veronica Bowers knew it on departing for the field. Their deputation picture presentation from 1993 contained a song which they personally adopted:
And if God should choose,
And my life I might lose,
Though my foe may slay me
I will serve the Lord.
Dave Virkler
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Casual Christianity
The title is “Casual Christianity and the Future of America”. The source is the Barna Group Ltd., an organization that tracks the religious side of the American culture.
This time Barna’s research centered around what he calls the ‘7 Tribes’ that represent the overall spiritual views, values and practices of the nation. The findings of the survey stemmed from more than 30,000 randomly selected adults.
The report found that the largest group in America was what they termed the ‘Casual Christian Tribe’. This segment actually comprises a full 2/3 of the population. That was followed by the ‘Captive Christian Tribe’ that numbered some 16%. Mormons, Jews, Pantheists, Muslims and finally Skeptics made up all the other groups.
When George Barna was asked what drove the largest ‘Casual Christian’ group he stated, “The comfort that this approach provides. It offers them life insights if they choose to accept them, gives them a community of relationships if they desire such, fulfills their inner need to have some type of connection with a deity, and provides the image of being a decent, faith-friendly person. Because Casuals do not view matters of faith as central to one’s purpose or success in life, this brand of Christianity supplies the multi-faceted levels of satisfaction and assurance that they desire.” He also said of this segment, “Casual Christians are defined by the desire to please God, family, and other people while extracting as much enjoyment and comfort from the world as possible."
Barna further defined Casuals as “Faith in moderation. It allows them to feel religious without having to prioritize their faith. Christianity is a low-risk, predictable proposition for this tribe, providing a faith perspective that is not demanding. A Casual Christian can be all the things that they esteem: a nice human being, a family person, religious, an exemplary citizen, a reliable employee – and never have to publicly defend or represent difficult moral or social positions or even lose much sleep over their private choices as long as they mean well and generally do their best. From their perspective, their brand of faith practice is genuine, realistic and practical. To them, Casual Christianity is the best of all worlds; it encourages them to be a better person than if they had been irreligious, yet it is not a faith into which they feel compelled to heavily invest themselves. This particular tribe is comprised of significant proportions of minimally active born again Christians and moderately active but theologically nominal Christians.”
In second place came the “Captive Christian Tribe”. These were defined as “Captives are focused on upholding the absolute moral and spiritual truths they glean from the Bible. The lives of Captive Christians are defined by their faith; their worldview is built around their core spiritual beliefs and resultant values.
Barna then described the major difference between the two groups that make up 80% of the adult population. He said that Casuals embrace the main tenets of the faith, but then added, “There are also difficulties raised when people do not stand for anything or cannot identify the truths that are worth championing.
From a spiritual vantage point, that is especially important if moral and spiritual truths are all considered to be relative. Casual Christianity, because of its moral receptivity and pliability, generally eliminates spiritual backbone from moral discussions. This particular tribe is comprised of significant proportions of minimally active born again Christians and moderately active but theologically nominal Christians.” The report added, “Captive Christians consider Casuals to not be genuine followers of Christ.”
It is difficult to know the true inner hearts and motives of anyone claiming to be a Christian believer although outer actions and activities might provide certain clues. The ability to know for sure is God’s alone. He knows each heart intimately and will judge each accordingly.
With that said, Scripture would seem to side more with those who take the faith more seriously and who put their own needs and wants as secondary. Jesus in Matthew 6:33 declared, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
The classic examples of doing this without compromise is revealed In Hebrew chapter eleven. This famous passage, sometimes called ‘God’s Hall of Faith’ describes early believers who took their faith so seriously as to suffer unthinkable abuse rather than cave in or live out their faith half-heartedly. Verses 35-37 show the amazing extent of their convictions. Some achieved great things for God and then there were the ‘others’. “Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented.”
Persecution on this level does not occur unless one’s faith is an outward priority.
The verse 38 then says of these ‘Captive-like Christians’, “Of whom the world was not worthy”. And verse 30 states, “And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith.” And in verses13-16 of the chapter the writer adds, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” I wonder which kind of Christians today would represent God best and enjoy His approval as did these?
There may be certain things in life where being casual is adequate and sometimes preferable. But a casual attitude toward God is not among them! The Holy Spirit, through the writer’s pen, reveals what ‘must’ be done and to what level it ‘must’ be done to fully please God and be fully blessed by Him. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)
Only a truly diligent faith will be an effective and driving faith!
Bill Breckenridge
This time Barna’s research centered around what he calls the ‘7 Tribes’ that represent the overall spiritual views, values and practices of the nation. The findings of the survey stemmed from more than 30,000 randomly selected adults.
The report found that the largest group in America was what they termed the ‘Casual Christian Tribe’. This segment actually comprises a full 2/3 of the population. That was followed by the ‘Captive Christian Tribe’ that numbered some 16%. Mormons, Jews, Pantheists, Muslims and finally Skeptics made up all the other groups.
When George Barna was asked what drove the largest ‘Casual Christian’ group he stated, “The comfort that this approach provides. It offers them life insights if they choose to accept them, gives them a community of relationships if they desire such, fulfills their inner need to have some type of connection with a deity, and provides the image of being a decent, faith-friendly person. Because Casuals do not view matters of faith as central to one’s purpose or success in life, this brand of Christianity supplies the multi-faceted levels of satisfaction and assurance that they desire.” He also said of this segment, “Casual Christians are defined by the desire to please God, family, and other people while extracting as much enjoyment and comfort from the world as possible."
Barna further defined Casuals as “Faith in moderation. It allows them to feel religious without having to prioritize their faith. Christianity is a low-risk, predictable proposition for this tribe, providing a faith perspective that is not demanding. A Casual Christian can be all the things that they esteem: a nice human being, a family person, religious, an exemplary citizen, a reliable employee – and never have to publicly defend or represent difficult moral or social positions or even lose much sleep over their private choices as long as they mean well and generally do their best. From their perspective, their brand of faith practice is genuine, realistic and practical. To them, Casual Christianity is the best of all worlds; it encourages them to be a better person than if they had been irreligious, yet it is not a faith into which they feel compelled to heavily invest themselves. This particular tribe is comprised of significant proportions of minimally active born again Christians and moderately active but theologically nominal Christians.”
In second place came the “Captive Christian Tribe”. These were defined as “Captives are focused on upholding the absolute moral and spiritual truths they glean from the Bible. The lives of Captive Christians are defined by their faith; their worldview is built around their core spiritual beliefs and resultant values.
Barna then described the major difference between the two groups that make up 80% of the adult population. He said that Casuals embrace the main tenets of the faith, but then added, “There are also difficulties raised when people do not stand for anything or cannot identify the truths that are worth championing.
From a spiritual vantage point, that is especially important if moral and spiritual truths are all considered to be relative. Casual Christianity, because of its moral receptivity and pliability, generally eliminates spiritual backbone from moral discussions. This particular tribe is comprised of significant proportions of minimally active born again Christians and moderately active but theologically nominal Christians.” The report added, “Captive Christians consider Casuals to not be genuine followers of Christ.”
It is difficult to know the true inner hearts and motives of anyone claiming to be a Christian believer although outer actions and activities might provide certain clues. The ability to know for sure is God’s alone. He knows each heart intimately and will judge each accordingly.
With that said, Scripture would seem to side more with those who take the faith more seriously and who put their own needs and wants as secondary. Jesus in Matthew 6:33 declared, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
The classic examples of doing this without compromise is revealed In Hebrew chapter eleven. This famous passage, sometimes called ‘God’s Hall of Faith’ describes early believers who took their faith so seriously as to suffer unthinkable abuse rather than cave in or live out their faith half-heartedly. Verses 35-37 show the amazing extent of their convictions. Some achieved great things for God and then there were the ‘others’. “Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented.”
Persecution on this level does not occur unless one’s faith is an outward priority.
The verse 38 then says of these ‘Captive-like Christians’, “Of whom the world was not worthy”. And verse 30 states, “And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith.” And in verses13-16 of the chapter the writer adds, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” I wonder which kind of Christians today would represent God best and enjoy His approval as did these?
There may be certain things in life where being casual is adequate and sometimes preferable. But a casual attitude toward God is not among them! The Holy Spirit, through the writer’s pen, reveals what ‘must’ be done and to what level it ‘must’ be done to fully please God and be fully blessed by Him. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)
Only a truly diligent faith will be an effective and driving faith!
Bill Breckenridge
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