Media Giants Talk God and Religion While Christians Remain Silent

Have you ever seen the cultural climate as it is today with regard to religion? Since when do major news network commentators make pointed remarks about Christianity? A few months ago, one such broadcaster, Brit Hume, when speaking about America’s #1 golfer Tiger Woods’ recovery from sex addiction, recommended that he leave Buddhism for the Christian faith. Hume said:

“The extent to which he can recover seems to me depends on his faith. He is said to be a Buddhist. I don't think that faith offers the kind of forgiveness and redemption that is offered by the Christian faith. So, my message to Tiger would be, ‘Tiger, turn to the Christian faith and you can make a total recovery and be a great example to the world.’”

Just last week a commentator on the same network said, “Why have you stopped going to church? Because it doesn’t mean anything anymore. It's time for our church…it’s time for our priests, our pastors, our bishops to stand up for the individual rights. It’s individual salvation. The Lord doesn't call us up, review our salvation and go, 'Ok, hang on just a second. Now serving group number 10!' It's individual.”

Surprisingly, those last remarks were made by Glenn Beck, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, a.k.a. the Mormon Church. Most evangelicals would question Glenn Beck’s own personal salvation because of the teachings of the church he attends. Yet on May 15, Liberty University, America’s fastest growing evangelical university bestowed on Beck an honorary Doctorate of Humanities degree moments before he gave the keynote address at this year’s graduation. His comments to the graduates included, “Turn to God and live. God is the truth.”

Many in the media, such as Hume and Beck, are taking advantage of opportunities to bring God into the cultural and political debates, while many others are doing all they can to stop the discourse. Hume and Beck’s faiths are notably different, but both believe strongly enough in their faith to speak of it in the public square.

In today’s culture, as warped as it is, there are more bold evidences of faith than have ever been in my lifetime. Many worthwhile efforts shout the truth of Christ, such as the I Am Second and I Am Not Ashamed campaigns. But other efforts are not so effective. Some who claim Christ as Savior bring dishonor to His name as they fight the culture war with anger and pride. And still the majority of Christians do not fight the war at all.

As a woman in Christian media, I am challenged to step out further and more boldly than before, but not simply to make a statement or cause a stir. I am challenged to “walk in the same way in which He walked,” (1John 2:6) with the same compassion at heart and the same mission in mind. I am called, first and foremost, to take His message of mercy to the world.

If the fields have ever been ready for harvest in America, this is the time. People are searching for help, hope and healing. If we have believed the good news of Jesus Christ for ourselves, then we have received His Holy Spirit and have been commissioned to go and tell others, making disciples of every nation – including our own. (Matthew 28:19) Many will agree that the harvest is at hand, but most do not see themselves as laborers. It is just as Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” (Matthew 9:37)

Today’s Christian falls into one of three groups:

1. Those who remain quiet about their faith, considering it a personal matter.

2. Those who celebrate their faith, but only in the “believers’ bubble”.

3. Those who exercise their faith, by stepping out to make Him known and to help others know Him.

To which group do you belong?

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  1. LauraLee Shaw said:

    Powerful statements here, and right on. I pray to wear Jesus everday, taking Him with me in Word, in deed everywhere I go, whether outside or inside the church. Thanks for keeping me focused to do so.

    May 26, 2010
    Reply

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