Culture

A recent issue of US News & World Report featured a story entitled "Faith in America: In troubled times, how Americans' views of religion are changing." Throughout the article several polls reported Christian responses to questions of faith and practice. One question: "How important would you say religion is in your life?" gathered a 69 percent vote for "very important." Another poll asked: "Which statement comes closer to your own views, even if neither is exactly right?" There were only two choices: "The religion you practice is the only true religion," or "All religions have elements of truth" (May 6, 2002, p. 42). Seventy-seven percent of professing Christians voted for the latter!
There is no doubting that many in our country claim Christianity as their religion, but only so far as it tolerates other belief systems. Yet the words of Jesus claim that "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me" (John 14:6).

- Preaching September/October 2002