Last week I had the opportunity to view Leonardo Da Vinci painting of the Last Supper. It was beautiful and inspiring. It’s interesting to think of the pervasiveness of Christianity so many years ago. As we toured Europe’s County side, every city had a Cathedral, and every village a Church, and many farms in places like the Black Forest had a chapel. Christianity was the norm, and everyone went to church.
Now most Cathedrals are mainly known as tourist attractions, well known for their grand architecture, but often talked about with no mention of God. Most of the biggest Cathedrals still have some small congregations, but many of the churches are relics of the past. Even the church where the pilgrims came from in Holland is now an event center and is no longer operating as a church.
This makes me wonder what happened to Christianity in Europe and why is it now known as a post-Christian culture. Soooo….. I googled it. This is what AI said, “Europe in increasingly described as post-Christian culture due to a significant decline in Christian affiliation and practice.” “This shift is characterized by a decrease in church attendance, a rise in secularism, and a growing number of individuals identifying as non-religious or atheist.”
Okay, but I don’t know if that really answers my question. Because what if the same thing is happening in America? For Example: Why did so many Christians just stop going to church during the COVID years and still haven’t returned? Was Obama correct when he said we are no longer a Christian nation?
Paul describes in 2 Timothy chapter 3 that “there will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money…” (long list) “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God- having a form of godliness but denying its power…”
It seems that it’s easy for people to water down Christianity to forms and rituals of Godliness rather than letting its power actually change their life. It’s easy to do religious things (like it’s a good-luck charm) and not actually letting God work in our hearts. Rituals and religious activity grow tiring. Real Christianity is personal, it’s a personal relationship with a loving God every moment of every day, not just on Sunday morning. When He speaks to us through scripture and the Holy Spirit, we need to listen and obey.
That is why the Prophet Samuel said in 1 Samuel 15:22-23 “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices (religious activities) as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice…”
Christianity is not a religion; it’s a personal relationship.
As we were busy touring Europe, I began to really miss my time in worship and sharing in Christian community. We said our prayers before meals and witnessed to others as the opportunity arose. We went to lots of Cathedrals and certainly were inspired by those who worked so hard in honor of God. But it wasn’t the same, I needed more time in prayer with God. As I sat praying and thinking in the church of Santa Maria (where the last supper painting is), I could hear the chants of the worshipers in the wing having Mass, “gloria to Santa Maria” (Glory to Saint Mary) they chanted over and over again. I thought, well, it is the church of Santa Maria, so what else should I expect. As I sat there, I thought about the Christian experience I have in relationship with God. It’s personal, not ritual.
Is America becoming post-Christian? Perhaps, but it’s up to each one of us to obey the voice of the Lord in our lives and not just do religious stuff.
Keith Green wrote a song many years ago entitled, “To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice”. It’s hard hitting, as was his style, but I encourage you to give it a listen. Here are some of the lyrics:
To obey is better than sacrifice, I don’t need your money, I want your life, and I hear you say that I’m coming back soon, but you act like I’ll never return…
To obey is better than sacrifice, I want more than Sundays and Wednesday nights, cause if you can’t come to Me every day, than don’t bother coming at all…
To obey is better than sacrifice, I want hearts of fire, not your prayers of ice, and I’m coming quickly to give back to you according to what you have done…
Let’s pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me and wanting a personal relationship with me. Forgive me when I fail. Keep me close to you as I recognize you in every aspect of my life. You are my life. Help me to obey you and follow you and not just do religious things. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Pastor Vern