Persecuting Christians in the U.S.

 

            On the 23rd of October 2001, the European branch of the Trilateral Commission fired its own warning shot at Christianity in the International Herald Tribune when among other things it said, “The Christian churches should make every effort to show generosity to other religions by ensuring whenever possible – and it is almost always possible – that no emphasis is placed on questions that separate religions, and by encouraging the vast possibilities of cooperation on issues vital to humanity…” In other words Bible believing Christians should shut up about the Lord Jesus Christ and His exclusive claim to being “the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6)

            Persecution of Christians was going on in the United States for some time prior to this pronouncement, but since that time it has been on the increase. The twentieth century was the greatest century for Christian martyrdom worldwide, but the twenty-first century promises to include the United States, which was largely unaffected overall until the last decades of the century. As an Eschatologist I have been watching this movement for some time, and I agree with others who say a pattern is emerging reminiscent of Jewish persecution in Germany after World War I. Don McAlvany wrote in the Midnight Herald, “This is the way it started in Germany against the Jews. As they became more isolated and marginalized by the Nazi propaganda machine, as popular hatred and prejudice against Jews increased among the German people, wholesale persecution followed.” I believe this is where the growing anti-Christian consensus in America is taking us.

            The focus of hatred for Christians has been seen in the ongoing Presidential campaign. Chuck Colson wrote in Breakpoint Commentary, 16 September 2004, “Throughout American political history presidential campaigns have been marked by malicious attacks and mud slinging. But the campaign of personal hate and destruction this year is over the top.”  I agree with him. As he pointed out columnist Susan Estrich called for Bush opponents to basically do anything fair or unfair to win this election. Colson calls the degrading discourse of American life a “coarsening of culture.” But if you watch carefully the attacks on Bush are oftentimes aimed at his faith, and such attacks by their very nature include all of Christendom.

            Some social scientists are now predicting the collapse of the American superstructure. The growing pattern of anti-Christian behavior is key to what is going on, but knowledge of that fact is not enough to save American Christianity from persecution. It is at this time even questionable as to whether a dramatic renewal in evangelism would be sufficient to do so. These are interesting and dangerous times to live in.

            Jonsquill Ministries

P. O. Box 752

Buchanan, Georgia 30113

171001-1