The April 13, 2009, Newsweek proclaims on its cover: "The Decline and Fall of Christian America," with the inside feature article titled "The End of Christian America." I checked the byline to make sure it wasn't written by Chicken Little himself.
The article, written by Jon Meacham, is, in actuality, more about Christianity at a crossroads and Christianity and the political order more than anything. In fact, very early in the article Meacham states, "Let's be clear: while the percentage of Christians may be shrinking, rumors of the death of Christianity are greatly exaggerated." Maybe he should re-think the title of his article then, if that's what he truly believes and the facts prove.
Meacham does do a good job of interviewing and including quotes from Albert Mohler Jr., president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, throughout the article. Mohler, although sounding a bit hopeless in some places, takes a thoughtful stand for Christianity and boldly proclaims, in the last paragraph, "Jesus Christ promised that the very gates of Hell would not prevail against his church." You can read the entire Newsweek article at http://www.newsweek.com/id/192583/page/1
Another take on this story appears in today's Wall Street Journal. Written by John Micklethwait and Adrian Wooldridge, the article looks at the founding of our country and how "betting against American religion has always proved to be a fool's game." They take a closer look at the new poll numbers and see something a bit different than the Newsweek folks: "A significant number of Americans are becoming more godly, not less so: The increase in the number of atheists is going hand in hand with ever more conservative Christians and Pentecostals."
Read the entire WSJ article at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123906081768295037.html#mod=djemEditorialPage
"...on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." Matthew 16:18
"Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood." Acts 20:28
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21
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