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First Thoughts

A Word from Our Director

Last fall Christian pollster George W. Barna conducted a survey of American religious beliefs. Even though nine out of ten adults own at least one Bible and eight out of ten consider themselves Christian, his findings reveal the great diversity of belief in our culture, especially when contrasted with Biblical teaching.

Here is a sampling of his findings:

• 35% of respondents believe it is possible to communicate with others after they die.
• 59% of respondents believe the devil, or Satan, is not a living being but is a symbol of evil.
• 42% of respondents believe that Jesus Christ sinned when He lived on earth, just like other people.
• 44% of respondents believe the Bible, the Koran and the Book of Mormon are all different expressions of the same spiritual truths.

It is among such cultural and philosophical worldviews that the Church today ministers the Gospel. This task is daunting, but if the Church is not prepared, it becomes even more difficult.

Our articles in this issue further evidence this reality. The first addresses the role of the military chaplain and the growing number of religious beliefs he must be prepared to address. Considering the attention surrounding our current military operations, this is a particularly timely issue. The second is part of our ongoing series addressing alternative medical treatments (many of which are rooted in Eastern religious beliefs and practices) and the place they should or should not have in the life of the Christian.

That such diversity is found not only in the U.S. is evident by the many invitations Watchman Fellowship receives to provide our expertise in other countries. In fact, in recent years our staff has traveled to Australia, Venezuela, Denmark, Hungary, Romania, Spain, Austria, the former USSR, the Philippines, Barbados, Singapore, and New Guinea to provide training regarding the cults.

Recently I heard three Christian workers express the difficulty of performing ministry in the midst of the diverse religious beliefs held by those in their field of ministry. What was interesting is where they were ministering: Alabama, Bangladesh and Africa. Though separated by great geographical distance they faced common problems in responding to the cults and religious sects in the country where they ministered.

Whether ministering in our own country, in a foreign land, in the military, in the medical field, or in some other subculture, we must be prepared to respond with truth. As our article about the Chaplaincy concludes:

Only if we as a church educate our people in doctrine and discernment, send qualified ministers into the military, and train our young people who enlist in the military to be spiritually mature will we effectively counter the non-Christian influences present in the military.

We must recognize that the same thing is true about every area of life where the truth of the gospel is needed.

Rev. Bob Waldrep, MRE, serves as State Director—Alabama at Watchman Fellowship’s Birmingham, AL office. Bob is also an ordained Southern Baptist Minister and serves as Lay Pastor for the Church at Brook Hills. You can email Bob by clicking here.