Christianity in America has been on a decline for at least two decades (though the decline has leveled off a bit in recent years). The reasons for the decline are many. But which of these is the biggest threat to the Church in America today?
The postmodern revolution of the last 50-70 years has seen the Western world become less religious as a whole, and the biggest casualty has been Christianity.
According to independent work from Pew Research Center, 78% of American adults called themselves Christian as recently as 2007. Now, as of 2024, that number is down to 63%. This number does not distinguish between those who are nominal Christians or those who hold to differing worldviews (such as Catholicism or Mormonism) but who would still call themselves Christian.
In Europe, the numbers differ greatly from Eastern and Western Europe, but Pew Research asserts that Western Europe has a slightly higher percentage of people claiming to be Christians. However, of those proclaiming to follow Christ, most are unpracticing. According to research done in the late 2010s, about 71% would say that they have remained Christian, and just 22% of professing Christians (again, not accounting for Catholic, Mormon, or other differing ideologies) regularly attend worship services.
While this piece will focus primarily on the United States, the look at Europe is crucial. Europe began its descent into postmodernism a generation or so ahead of America. If past cultural and societal patterns continue, the US will follow Europe's lead.
But what is it about postmodernism that has caused this decline? What is the biggest threat to Christianity in America?
Quite simply, it is because faith in Christ is not taken seriously enough by those who proclaim it. This reality has manifested itself in a variety of ways.
The Bible Is No Longer Valuable
The Bible is the Word of God. It is God's revelation of Himself to His creation and how that creation can be restored to proper fellowship with Him. As such, Scripture should be of immense importance to the Christian.
Unfortunately, it isn't. Many in the Western world just do not value the Bible. It sits on the shelf collecting dust instead of collecting wear and tear from everyday use.
For some, a denial of the Word's inerrancy keeps them from adhering to the Lord's teachings. For others, the words of Scripture constitute mere stories and divinely inspired suggestions, rather than Holy Spirit-ordained instruction.
Those views on the Bible contradict what the Lord says. "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Even Bible study habits among Christians are not what they should be.
Without God's Holy Standard at the forefront of thought, theological compromise and moral aloofness have become the norm. Even those professing the name of Christ cannot be taught, reproofed, corrected, trained, made complete, or equipped to do good without being grounded in the pages of Scripture. And without the people of God growing in sanctification, the Church dwindles, both in number and in health.
Christians must love Scripture.
The West Values Prosperity
Above almost all else, modern America values personal prosperity. Comfort, financial strength, and convenience trump all in many circumstances.
Ideals such as "the American Dream," though well-intentioned, have shifted priorities and individuals' understandings of success. Instead of serving the Lord by pursuing biblically-based character and striving toward God-honoring holiness, many who profess the name of Christ are serving self.
In short, that is idolatry.
This self-idolatry flies in the face of Kingdom living. When Jesus said in Matthew 16:24, "...If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me," He was telling His disciples what He (and His Father) expected out of their behavior and character.
The Messiah expounded on the point in Matthew 16:25-26: "For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?"
In a 2007 interview on the topic, Pastor John Piper succinctly contrasted the Christian life with the American Dream in this way: "What are you trying to make much of? Do you want to make much of Christ in the world, or do you want to make much of yourself, your business, or your family? What are you passionate about seeing exalted, praised, and enjoyed?"
It is not wrong to do well financially or in other pursuits in life. In fact, the Lord desires for his people to work at all things to the best of their abilities (Colossians 3:23), and being successful financially or otherwise provides believers with opportunities to serve the Church and reach the world. It is wrong, though, for that type of ambition to become the central point in one's life. That is the unfortunate reality for many in the US today.
Christians must fight against idolatry of self.
Postmodern Thought Promotes Individualism and Denies Truth
With the culture's dive into postmodernism and subsequent focus on self, individualistic tendencies are at an all-time high. Meanwhile, regard for Truth is at an all-time low. After all, the postmodern revolution's primary philosophy is one of secular humanism (the belief that mankind is perfectly fine without God) and relativism (that absolutes are impossible and, thus, everything is relative based on an individual's circumstances).
Because of these thoughts, society pushes people deeper into isolation while denying the Scriptural mandate for community, thus creating a dangerous combination within many individuals.
Hebrews 10:25-26 says, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." That command
God created man with a need for community with others. Simply put, when difficulty arises, mankind isn't meant to try to tackle it alone. In Galatians 6:2, the Apostle Paul calls on the Galatian Church to "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
Objectivity and Truth are also things of the past in a postmodern society. Instead, dogmatic moral guidelines from Scripture are treated as "out of date" or "for back then, not for now."
In the name of "personal truth," never before have individuals been empowered to say, do, and think whatever they want without consequence. Sexual perversions, glorification of violence, pride, covetousness, laziness, and the three Gs (gossip, greed, gluttony) run rampant in society. As the postmodern world would explain, "If it feels right for you, then it is right."
In a related way, instead of finding joy in the Lord, millions seek to find their joy in anything and everything else. It is easy to see how Kingdom growth is difficult in the face of this societal shift.
Christians must recognize the importance of gathering with other believers and hold fast to the Truth.
Sin Is Easy and Comes Naturally
Frankly, an underrated part of the secular world's growing influence and the Church's lessening one is that sin is easy. It requires much less effort for a person to act on their every desire than it does to fight against sinful inclinations.
In contrast, Jesus commands his disciples to deny themselves (Matthew 16:24), and Paul says that Christians will be "afflicted in every way" (2 Corinthians 4:8). To those who are not in Christ, this doesn't sound very appealing. To those who are, this is one of the most difficult realities to accept.
It is much easier for a person to accept and glory in his/her sin than it is to pursue holiness.
Regarding the issue of sin, a lack of good and consistent church discipline within many local churches is problematic. Instead of the people of God handling sin the way the Lord commands, there are many instances in which sin festers within a person (and within a church body), damaging both the local church and the Church as a whole. Christians' sins make a relationship with the God they follow less palatable to the world and hurts the Church around them.
In most of the free world, citizens' rights are at the forefront. Viewing personal rights as an important thing is not inherently a bad thing; in fact, it's a good thing. However, emphasizing those rights to the point of idolatry (notice a trend here?) is.
Christians must fight against sin and fight to know God more, even when it is painful.
Multiplication Isn't Happening
Much of this discussion has centered on those who proclaim Christ without a true relationship with Him as Lord and Savior. However, believers are part of the problem.
The Lord's primary means of Kingdom growth in the world is evangelism and discipleship (Romans 10). Many Christians are failing at their God-ordained duty to reach the lost and disciple other believers.
The Great Commission of Matthew 28:19-20 states, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
The people of the United States and the Western world live in a prosperous society in which Christians can coast by unnoticed without being fully devoted followers of their Savior. Without fear of persecution creating a natural sifting of the wheat and the tares, there are huge numbers of professing believers who are able to be just somewhat devoted followers. Those types of people typically do not prioritize discipleship.
Parental failings are a major way in which discipleship isn't happening in America. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 says, "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." This is a clear decree from the Lord for parents. Sadly, it is often ignored.
Family worship practices have become rare, and parents drop their kids off at church events and never have further conversations.
Not only are many Christians failing to do their part in reaching the other end of the world (whether literally or through their influence), but many are failing to do their part in reaching the other end of their home.
Christians must disciple, both in their homes and wherever they go.
Final Thoughts
Though recent trends in the past couple of years could indicate a slowdown, the number of professing Christians in the United States has been on a downward trajectory for some time.
Believers must take their faith–and the command to do their part in making Christ known–extremely seriously.
