The greatest threat to the church today isn’t a single enemy, but a complex web of interconnected challenges. While atheism and secularism are often blamed, the true threats may lie deeper within modern culture and society.
Several potential threats emerge when considering the scale needed to challenge millions of believers. Capitalism, progressivism, liberalism, secularism, atheism, scientism, legalism, racism, nationalism, imperialism, warmongering, industrialism, environmentalism, utilitarianism, individualism, nihilism, anti-natalism, technophilia, and even thanatophilia (the culture of death) all challenge the church’s core values.
However, it’s crucial to distinguish between surface challenges and deeper threats. Events like famine, plague, poverty, and war, while causing immense suffering, aren’t necessarily existential threats. These are trials the church has always faced and often overcomes with resilience and faith. True threats undermine the church’s foundation, silencing the gospel.
True threats erode the church’s foundations, hindering its mission. These threats often manifest as idols—belief systems or practices that divert our attention from God. Identifying these idols is crucial. Technophilia, individualism, utilitarianism, capitalism, and progressivism are potential modern-day idols shaping our values and actions.
These ideologies may share roots in broader frameworks like liberalism and scientism. Liberalism, emphasizing individual autonomy, can lead to individualism and utilitarianism. Scientism, believing science holds all answers, can fuel technophilia and disregard for spiritual truths. Underpinning many ideologies is the pursuit of wealth and material possessions. These interconnected “isms” suggest a complex web of threats.
The biggest threat to the church remains debatable. However, examining underlying ideologies and cultural forces helps identify the challenges. Focusing on external threats is essential, but internal divisions also challenge the church’s unity. Addressing both internal and external threats is crucial for the church to thrive today.