HINDU NATION?
"We are all Hindus Now" suggests a thought-provoking article in Newsweek (August 24 and 31 issue). "American is not a Christian nation," the writer begins, even though 76 percent of Americans identify as Christian. "Recent poll data show that conceptually, at least, we are slowly becoming more like Hindus and less like traditional Christians in the way we think about God, ourselves, each other and eternity." Statistics will differ in other countries but writer Lisa Miller's conclusions are sobering, especially for those of us in Christian counseling, coaching, or other ministries.
Consider this:
- Hindus believe that there are many paths to God. This contrasts with the Christian belief that Jesus alone is the way, the truth, the life; that no one comes to the Father except through the Son.
- "Americans are not buying this, according to a 2008 Pew Forum survey. "Sixty-five percent of us believe that 'many religions can lead to eternal life' including 37 percent of white evangelicals, the group most likely to believe that salvation is theirs alone."
- In addition, the numbers who seek spiritual truth outside the church is growing. "the American propensity for divine-deli-cafeteria religion is very much in the spirit of Hinduism." This involves selecting and combining whatever beliefs and practices seem to work.
A professor recently described her observation that year after year, incoming seminary students show less biblical knowledge than the classes that came before them. Perhaps we all know professionals who want to be Christian counselors and coaches but who show evidence of biblical and theological illiteracy. Their work and beliefs are shaped by accrediting agencies, professional organizations, and efforts to be politically correct. We all tire of irrelevant religion (including tired evangelicalism) and we have no patience with theological or psychological nit-picking and clinging to the past. But in our criticisms do we become like the people of ancient
From a Christian perspective there can be no such thing as a Christian Hindu. But do we drift in this direction?
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