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America's religious tolerance moves away from Scripture

There's a disturbing trend being revealed in American churches. According to a report released this week by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, over half of polled evangelicals are moving toward the belief there are many ways to heaven, reports MNN.

The findings revealed that most religious Americans don't feel bound by strict interpretations of their churches' doctrines, according to the survey of 36,000 people. 57 percent of evangelical church attendees say they believe many religions can lead to eternal life.

Overall, 70 percent of religious Americans agreed, and 68 percent said there is more than one way to interpret the teachings of their own religion.

Either that's seen as a growth in religious tolerance, or it can be seen as evidence that Americans dismiss or are only aware of a watered-down doctrine.

Evangelist Sammy Tippit isn't surprised by the findings, but he bristled at the notion of "tolerance" driving church doctrine. "I think a lot of Christians have bought into it because they feel like, ‘If I'm not tolerant, I'm not loving.' I think what we have to go back to a biblical definition of what Christianity is."

What's more, there's a tendency to sanitize theological truths to a point where there is no longer a sharp distinction. "I think," says Tippit, "one of the things that has transpired in American culture in the last several years now has been a getting away from Scripture and going more towards an experience-oriented Christianity." But experience alone is not a balanced approach to faith.

Tippit says this is a "wake-up call" for American church. The report reveals a great flaw in many outreach programs. Salvation is just the first step, which is why much of Tippit's work focuses on discipleship. "One of the great things that must happen for a great renewal in our culture is that we've got to come back to a commitment to the Scripture and build a foundation for our lives from the Word of God."

America has a broad Christianity, but it is shallow. Tippit concludes, "I think the way we go deep is through small group, one-on-one disciple-making. I would encourage churches and individuals to begin to get back to the Word of God. It's the foundation for our culture, for our lives and for our faith."

[06/27/2008]

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