Sermon Text
Ephesians 2:19-22
Sermon Excerpt
The so-called religious right has sought to make their version of Christianity the only authorized American version. While many within this group market a message that suggests a literal approach to the Bible is the only correct approach, the general public are not embracing that news. In fact, only 3 in 10 people approach Scripture with a highly literal interpretative framework, and an understanding that it is the actual word of God.
This tendency to equate Christianity with only one of its many forms is among the more troubling factors that continue to contribute to the decline in adherents. In just a few decades the percentage of the American population that labels themselves as religiously non-affiliated has more than doubled. Increasing numbers of people have decided that this kind of religion is no longer relevant or meaningful.
For those not ready to give up just yet . . . (read the full manuscript)
So What?
In this sermon, I argue that there are three old friends in need of reuniting: culture, Bible and church. Whenever the church functions in isolation and with limited interaction with one or both of its old friends, issues arise.
- How would you characterize the current relationship between the church and culture in America? between the church and the Bible in America?
- What do you think is the ideal relationship between these three? Why?