The Christian organization called the European Leadership Form is debating the reasons why Europe “has the world’s highest percentage of atheists and agnostics”. [1] From what I read, they do not have an answer. However, another article I read has what I believe is the best explanation. It was articulated by Bart Barber, the new president of the Southern Baptist Conference.
I think we’ve done a great job at heeding Biblical commands regarding what we should believe and teach. But we’ve done less admirably in obeying God’s commands about how we should treat one another. [2]
As I say in my book, The Renovation of Our Soul: “If the world is not interested in what Christianity has to offer, it is because our soul is not like God. Mahatma Gandhi was an admirer of Christ and applied many of the principles taught by Christ but he refused to become a Christian because so many Christians were so unlike Christ”. [3]
It is very necessary that Christians have a Biblical based theology, a valid belief system. However, the Bible also teaches we must also follow Jesus’ teachings. And how are we to treat our fellow Christians?
“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35 ESV)
Do we Christians exhibit love for one another as is spelled out in I Corinthians 13? There are plenty of examples that indicate we do not. If not, can we honestly wonder why people do not seek Christ?
“And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,” (1John 2:3-4 ESV)
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[1] Jenny Lind Schmitt. “Treating Disease at Its Source”. World, July 16, 2022, p. 79.
[2] Mary Jackson. “A New Leader for the SBC”. World, July 16, 2022, p. 14.
[3] Dibin Samuel, “Mahatma Gandhi and Christianity”, Christianity Today, http://inchristiantoday.com/articledir/print.html?id=2837.
