“Christianity is dead in Europe, and America isn’t far behind!” I drew that conclusion after three opportunities to visit the UK, France and Italy, and then Germany and Switzerland. Granted, each trip was connected to a college tour and focused on cultural history so included lots of old church buildings and monuments to the past. So I must admit, my view was somewhat skewed. However, despite being rebuked recently for making such a broad and bold declaration, I stand by it today. What passes for Christianity in Europe has become so ingrained with cultural accumulations that it is basically a decaying structure that fewer and fewer people go to see for anything except its history. The same process is unfolding here in America. FYI – doing my tiny part to slow the decay here is the main reason this is called An American Missionary. That may sound pretentious, but it isn’t. I know my part is tiny, but it’s mine to do, and I will do it to the best of my ability.

But this process isn’t new. It’s as old as mankind, ever since Adam and Eve introduced death (physical and spiritual) by rebelling against God in the garden. It continued with their son Cain who refused to worship God by faith (he did it his way instead of God’s) and will continue until God brings this world to an end.

Morning Minutes in the Bible on An American Missionary has been studying the OT prophet Amos who was declaring God’s judgment on the nation of Israel because their faith was dead. Oh, they were very religious people, (just like America), but their religious activity was not according to God’s will and was heaping up judgment instead of glory. After once again calling on Israel to “Seek Me, that you may live” (Amos 5:1-15) the Lord spoke of the misery and suffering the nation would endure and the foolishness of their call for God’s judgment. It was coming, but would end with them in exile for their sin (Amos 5:16-27).

Everywhere they turned calamity and injury would occur because the “day of the Lord” they were calling for would be darkness and gloom – for them instead of the light and bright day they wanted (Amos 5:16-20). Then God rebuked their religious fervor. “I hate, I reject your festivals, nor do I delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer up to Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them; and I will not even look at the peace offerings of your fatlings…I will not even listen to the sound of your harps” (Amos 5:21-23). It wasn’t new. Even their worship in the wilderness on the way to the Promised Land was corrupted (Amos 5:25-26).

God ended with a heart breaking conclusion.
“Therefore, I will make you go into exile beyond Damascus” (Amos 5:27).

Dare we ask God if this is how He feels about our religious festivals and assemblies today here in America? We should dare, because we probably would be shocked at the answer. But at least we would have time to repent and return to Him and live. Thankfully, true Christianity isn’t dead. Scattered across America and the world God’s people remain faithful to Him. But does that include you and me?