by William E. Jones

Partaking of the surrounding culture is a big temptation to the church in any age.

Religious change is not new. It is always with us. Some changes go back to early America while others are more recent. Both can be dangerous to the church.

It is said that change is inevitable. This is true, but the church should not seek change simply for the sake of change. Many changes in religion in the United States could be discussed, but there is only space for two: American religion as an enterprise and the influence of paganism on religion in our times.

Religion as an Enterprise

Speaking about changes in the ancient and modern church, Richard Halverson, longtime chaplain to the United States Senate, said, "In the beginning the church was a fellowship of men and women centering on the living Christ. Then it moved to Greece where it became a philosophy. Then it moved to Rome where it became an institution. Next it moved to Europe where it became a culture. Now it has moved to America where it has become an enterprise." In other words, the American development of Christianity has led many to seek power and monetary reward to a greater degree than has been known in centuries.

Some of the older and better known parachurch groups (those who view their ministries as helping the church to fulfill its missions) have been the Salvation Army, the Oxford movement, the London Missionary Society, the American Sunday School Union and the American Bible Society. Of more recent origin is the Moral Majority movement. In addition, there are hundreds of other groups on the American scene today.

Along with well-known denominational movements in the history of the United States, many have undertaken their ministries on television. It has been estimated that a few of these ministries receive love offerings from their faithful viewers in excess of $100 million a year. Of course, most do not receive this amount, but this American enterprise receives and controls vast amounts of money and power. The TV ministries scandal a few years ago still give us pause.

Among churches of Christ it has been traditional for those ministries reaching beyond the local work to be under the firm oversight of a local eldership. Currently the church has witnessed a rise in parachurch organizations but not to the degree seen in denominational churches. A discouraged and inactive church may contribute to the rise of such groups. Perhaps our greatest concern should be the restoration of biblical religion to fulfill the scriptural missions of the church.

My concern is not so much with homes for children or Christian colleges and universities because they are overseen by boards of trustees. However, I am troubled by one-man ministries where money and power are controlled by one or few persons.

Often "the tail wags the dog," and the parachurch group believes that it is in a better position to do the church's work than the church itself. The money from such groups, however, usually remains in the hands of leaders or backers rather than under the oversight of elders.

Subcontracting the congregation's duties must be a concern to elderships and to the congregation in general. Renewing the spirit of the church is more important than creating groups to prop-up the body of Christ.

"Starting your own business" or "working for yourself" is a well-accepted philosophy in the United States. Unfortunately, it is increasingly being seen in the American religious scene. Perhaps the bottom line is -- religion is a moneymaker in America. It is incumbent upon churches of Christ to remember, "You cannot serve both God and Money" (Matthew 6:24 NIV).

Paganism and Religion in the United States

The New Testament battled a form of paganism primarily in Colossians and in John's letters. Paganism is well-defined in Romans 1:25 : " [They] changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen" (KJV). Paganism makes nature a god (or goddess), and because people are also part of nature, it is a small step for them to believe, "I am my own god."

The Colossian heresy addressed by Paul is often identified as some form of paganism, usually called "gnosticism," that claims special knowledge others do not possess. The early church fought incipient gnosticism and almost lost. It is a strong foe for New Testament Christianity even today. Personal religious experience, which is prominent in fundamental churches today, has deep roots in paganism. Many members of the churches of Christ think we should seek a stronger personal religion that may or may not require the church. But "roll-your-own" religion is not biblical.

Today we face a resurgence of paganism. It is best known now as the New Age movement. A comparison of ancient paganism in the form of gnosticism and modern paganism (called neo-gnosticism) in the form of the New Age movement is enlightening. William Barclay, in his popular Daily Study Bible on Colossians, emphasizes 11 characteristics about the Colossian heresy found in Paul's epistle. Here are seven of the characteristics.

(1) It attacked the total adequacy and the unique supremacy of Christ. Paul argued the fullness of Jesus' person and work to combat the false teaching (1:15, 19; 2:2, 9). New Age followers often deny the unique supremacy of Christ. They say, "What Jesus was we can become. We are our own gods."

(2) The real humanity of Jesus Christ was denied by the paganism of Paul's day (1:22; 2:9). New Agers say little about physical existence but often speak about a part of a person long untapped -- the consciousness. In other words, the "god" in us has long been hidden and must now be brought to the surface so people may be greater than they have ever been. This is a good example of blissed-out pagan optimism.

(3) There were astrological elements in this heresy (2:8, 20). Astrology is one of the biggest parts of the New Age movement. In Jeremiah 10:2-3, he warned against this. "Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by signs in the sky, though the nations are terrified by them. For the customs of the peoples are worthless." (The RSV translates the word "worthless" as "false.")

(4) The heresy made much of demonic spirits and sometimes worshiped angels (Colossians 1:16; 2:10, 15, 18). The New Age movement has inspired new books about demons and angels in the last few years. One large bookstore recently filled its prominent display window with many books about angels.

(5) The heresy insisted on special days and rituals. Paul, who had kept festivals and Sabbaths most of his life, would not bind them on Christians (2:16). Rituals on mountains or at the seashore are important to New Agers who worship Gaia, the mother-goddess of the earth.

(6) The heresy had an antinomian streak in it. While rules were important for some things, the heretics did not want to be restrained by commandments in any way. They gave little thought to bodily sins (3:5-8). New Age has little place for moral principles that the individual does not impose on himself. Bible believers find this unacceptable.

(7) Spiritual and intellectual snobbery were in the heresy. Paul said Christ makes every man perfect through all wisdom (1:28). The heresy insisted that a series of promotions led to greater knowledge, and they alone held the secrets to these steps. New Age is known for its many seminars that cost $300 or more. In the seminars you pay to learn the secrets to higher ground.

Partaking of the surrounding culture is a temptation to the church in any age. It is possible, however, to seek a new commitment to Christ and the Bible to guard against the influences of the world. John 15 is the "Reader's Digest condensation of the gospel," according to Donald G. Miller. He believes it imposes three important principles on the disciple: (1) Abide in me (vv. 1-8), (2) love your brethren (vv. 9-17), and (3) stay away from the world (vv. 18-27; 16:1-4). The last point may be the weakest in churches of Christ. The gnostic threat of the past is growing in the United States. Let the believer beware. *

William E. Jones may be contacted at 2312 Butternut Place, Edmond, OK 73013-5605.