This post begins with two questions. When religious persecution comes, how will Christian churches respond? And how should they respond?
Liberal Churches Interacting with the Culture
When we consider how liberal, mainline denominations, and some evangelical mega-churches are currently interacting with the secular culture, we can get a good idea of how they will react when religious persecution comes. Many churches have allied themselves with the pro-abortion and LBGTQ agendas.
These are some of the prominent denominations that are surrendering to the culture:
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
- Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA).
- United Methodist Church (UMC).
- Episcopal Church USA (ECUSA).
- United Church of Christ (UCC).
These denominations are no longer a light to the nations. They have given in and are continuing to surrender to the secular culture. They deny biblical truth by accepting the culture’s lies about abortion, homosexuality, and same-sex marriage.
By taking these positions, they are showing us they are not different from the world. So, they are in the world and truly part of it. In doing so, they are avoiding conflict with a corrupt society.
This is a good sign that when religious persecution comes, these will be the churches that bow the knee to Caesar. They will be the “state” churches, marching in step with the depravities of the dominant culture.
A culture that is hostile to true Christianity will welcome them and hold them up as examples of tamed “Christian” sheep.
Are All Members of these Churches Non-Christians?
To be clear, not all members of these churches are apostate believers. Many are being led astray by their leadership. Some remain because of family tradition. Others are ignorant of biblical teaching. However, if they remain in these apostate churches, they risk succumbing to the same false beliefs.
Apostate Churches
Now I’ve done it! I am calling these denominations apostate. On what basis do I say this? To answer this question, we need to define what it means to be apostate and show how these churches qualify.
What is Apostasy?
According to the Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Apostasy is “Turning against God, as evidenced by abandonment and repudiation of former beliefs.”
The New Bible Dictionary adds that in the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament), apostasy always involves rebellion against God.
The same article points out that apostasy has always been a danger to the church. The New Testament gives many warnings against it (see 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; and 2 Peter 3:17). It characterizes apostasy as falling from the faith and away from the living God. Also, apostasy increases during tough times and persecution, likely encouraged by false teachers “who seduce believers from the purity of the Word with ‘another gospel.” (New Bible Dictionary (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1996), 57–58.)
Why Are These Churches Apostate?
To answer this question, I will limit myself to one example, a denomination I formerly belonged to, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
The ELCA has capitulated to false teachings in at least three areas where the denomination has abandoned orthodox Christian biblical beliefs:
- Contrary to the Bible’s pro-life teachings, the ELCA supports abortion on demand. The denominations official statement clearly shows this.
- The ELCA ignores the Bible’s characterization of homosexuality as sin, and that marriage is only for heterogeneous couples.
- To move further away from biblical truth, the ELCA has recently placed a transgender person in a key leadership position.
I have more evidence of the ELCA’s apostasy, but this is enough to prove my case. We could provide the same proof for the other denominations I mentioned above.
How Do Apostate Churches Contribute to the Attack on Religious Freedom?
- First, by supporting abortion, gay marriage, and the LBGTQ agenda, they present a false picture of Christian belief by denying biblical truth. This allows those attacking religious freedom to use them as examples for “correct belief” countering the beliefs of authentic Christians.
- Second, as these churches are more concerned with being politically correct than they are with the truth, they provide support for the politically correct positions held by the adverse culture.
- Finally, persecution may encourage faithful Christians to leave persecuted churches for what they believe to be safe havens (apostate churches), making them subject to the non-biblical teachings of these churches.
How Will Churches that Remain Faithful to the Truth
- They will stand firm on biblical teaching.
- They will boldly speak out against false teaching and false teachers.
- They will not shrink from calling out sin as disobedience to God.
- They will continue to preach both Law and Gospel.
- They will reach out to those in apostate churches, offering them the true gospel of Jesus Christ.
Some Resources for Churches
This resource provides a biblical understanding of God’s gift of marriage between a man and a woman.
Here is how one denomination is addressing the threat of the “Equality Act.”
The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) and Alliance Defending Freedom have collaborated on a legal guide entitled “Protecting Your Ministry.” This can help congregations, Christian schools and ministries protect against and prepare for religious liberty intrusions.
Conclusion
Some Christian denominations are already in lockstep with the secular culture and are insulating themselves from the coming persecution. These churches, even if unwittingly, will foster the persecution of faithful congregations.
Regardless of the risk, churches faithful to the teaching of Scripture must prepare to take a stand against the perversions of the secular culture, speak out against the attacks against religious liberty, and provide a haven and support for Bible-believing Christians.
Next up: How to Prepare to face Attacks on Religious Liberty and Persecution of Christians.
