Where is all of the persecution and cultural opposition coming from? What does it mean to live in a culture as a Christian? In this video, John Stonestreet analyzes the nature of persecution and opposition that the Church will inevitably face. While many American Christians have perhaps not faced true persecution, this shouldn’t mean we discount the idea of cultural opposition altogether. Rather, Paul himself wrote that anyone following Christ will, in fact, be persecuted. Not only should the Church not be surprised by persecution and cultural opposition, but it should be expected.
- Choosing Between Christ and Comfort
- American Christianity
- The Promise of Persecution as Christians
Cultural Opposition to Christianity
Yeah, I think American Christians have kind of been in a position for several generations where we did not have to choose between our convictions and our livelihood or our convictions and our freedom, even our convictions and our tax exempt status, which in the overall scheme of things really isn’t all that important. And so really what we’re I think entering in, at least in the American Evangelical and conservative Christian experience, is something that our brothers and sisters around the world, our brothers and sisters throughout history and throughout the history of the church have had to deal with, which is we live in a culture.
I mean, it’s what Lewis said, right? I mean, every square inches claimed by Christ and counter claimed by the enemy. And that’s precisely what the scripture says. I mean, it often troubles me when I read what Paul told Timothy, anyone who wants to follow Christ in this world will be persecuted. And if we’re not, maybe it’s worth thinking, okay, what am I not doing to follow Christ?
John Stonestreet serves as President of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. He’s a sought-after author and speaker on areas of faith and culture, theology, worldview, education and apologetics.
