WHY WE ARE HATED

I had written the following introduction six years ago, but it seems that evangelicals are even more hated today:

Are evangelicals hate-mongers and extremists? According to a letter from Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, even the US military is now associating Evangelicals and Catholics with the Klu Klux Klan and other terroristic organizations. He makes to following observations:

·       A Fort Leavenworth War Games scenario identified Christian and Evangelical groups as potential threats.

·       A 2009 Dept. of Homeland Security memo identified Evangelicals and pro-life groups as potential threats to national security.

·       The U.S. Military Academy's Combating Terrorism Center released a study linking pro-lifers to terrorism.

·       Evangelical leader Franklin Graham was uninvited from the Pentagon's National Day of Prayer service.

·       At the National Cemetery in Houston, Christian prayers were prohibited at the funeral services for military veterans.

·       Distribution of Bibles was banned for a time at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

·       Christian crosses and a steeple were removed from a chapel in Afghanistan because the military said the icons disrespected other religions.

However, hate groups do not fit the profile of those who give alms and volunteer their services to people in need. KKKers don’t feed the poor and volunteer their services to carry meals to the home-bound. A Barna.org survey on giving revealed:

·       A person’s religious identification has a lot to do with whether or not they donate to causes they believe in. Evangelicals were far and away the group most likely to donate money, items or time as a volunteer. More than three-quarters of evangelicals (79%) have donated money in the last year, and 65% and 60% of them have donated items or volunteer time, respectively. Additionally, only 1% of evangelicals say they made no charitable donation in the last 12 months. Comparatively, 27% of those with a faith other than Christianity say they made no charitable donation in the last year—a number more than double the national rate (13%). One-fifth of people who claimed no faith said they made no donation over the last year, still noticeably higher than the number for all Americans.

·       Interestingly, the difference between evangelical Christians and non-evangelical born again Christians was marked. While 79% of evangelicals made a financial donation over the last year, 53% of non-evangelical born agains [these are respondents who claim a personal relationship with Jesus but don’t ascribe to the basics of the biblical faith] said the same. The number of non-evangelical born again Christians who didn’t make a donation matches the national average exactly (13%), compared to the only 1% of evangelicals.

Ironically, evangelicals are called the worst names – “hypocrites,” “bigots,” and “hate-mongers.” However, the stats don’t ever seem to back up these hateful invectives.

Since then, the outpouring of hatred directed towards evangelicals has become far more severe, especially after the last presidential election. I’m afraid that these expressions of hatred will have a shaming effect upon us and cause us to further retreat and compromise. Many wonder:

·       What is the matter with us that the world hates us so? Perhaps we need to radically change what the Church is all about?

·       Perhaps we are bigots and hypocrites and need to become more accepting of those practicing and promoting sexual sins and even abortion?

·       Perhaps we need to practice radical forms of acceptance rather than articulating moral truths. It seems like we are just driving people away from Christ.

·       Perhaps I am a Christian failure and need to change my lifestyle and even my faith?

No wonder our youth are fleeing the Church, and we are seeing the growth of the “nones.” Nevertheless, there is always some truth to the charges of the unbelieving world and believers alike. Of course, we are not perfect and remain far away from the example of our Savior. I too have my problems with the Church, but it’s one thing to present constructive criticism but  another thing to engage in unbalanced degrading criticisms, which lead to intimidation and physical assaults.

Perhaps something greater is at issue. Even 2000 years ago, Jesus warned:

·       "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.” (John 15:18-20; 16:1-3; Matthew 10:22-24; 24:9)

What is it that makes our culture hate us so? Why did Jesus’ culture hate and kill Him, the model of love and wisdom? He explained to His unbelieving biological brethren:

·       “The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil.” (John 7:7)

However, few of us evangelicals point the finger and tell the world that they are evil, despite the accusations of such. One example of our retreat is that evangelism is becoming an endangered species. It also seems that we are actually forsaking any faith-based cultural engagement.

Nevertheless, the prevailing culture still perceives that there is a difference and hates us for it. Why? Paul had explained:

·       For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. (2 Corinthians 2:15-16)

We are stench to those who are aware of their condemnation (Romans 1:32). Fortunately, we are also a pleasant aroma of Christ to those our Lord is drawing.

Paul had prophesied a time of great apostasy (2 Timothy 3:1-5) when we would again suffer great persecution (3:12). He had this answer for the youthful Timothy:

·       I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions. (2 Timothy 4:1-3)

Paul didn’t give the slightest hint for any need to accommodate our message to the prevailing culture. Instead, we are to continue with our mandate, the Gospel:

·       For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)

The power is not to be found in our programs or in any compromise with the culture.