OPINION:
The feeling is almost palpable. You can hear it in the tone of everyday conversations and see it even in the eyes of ordinary people going about their ordinary tasks. The election of Donald Trump on November 5, along with a Republican majority in both the House and Senate and its aftermath, have certainly cast a pall over the lives of those who suffer from TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome).
At the same time, these events have seemingly also brought a new breath of excitement to Christians and at least the more conservative elements of American culture. Even a few of the more vocal anti-Trump individuals and camps are beginning to begrudgingly admit that there may be some grounds to facilitate a working relationship with the new president. This kind of euphoric response by so many is what is often referred to as a “honeymoon.”
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The old adage in the sport of football that all teams are winners before the season begins is unquestionably true as well in the realm of politics. The brightness of what will be in a Donald Trump administration will almost assuredly fade in the light of the need to govern, and the whiteness of the present euphoria will be sullied in the coming skirmishes between the trenches of political gamesmanship on both sides. Nevertheless, there is a storyline, especially for Christ-followers, which should offer significant hope for at least the next few years and this reality is actually two-fold.
The first ray of hope comes from the concept that a Trump administration will be more favorable to a real-world Christian witness, which was not always the case during Mr. Biden’s tenure. With the new incoming administration comes the hope that the voice of believers will be heard in the marketplace not only in cases involving LGBTQ+/transgender issues but also those involving the taking of innocent lives through the euphemistically phrased term known as abortion.
Even last week, before the United States Supreme Court, Mr. Biden’s Department of Justice sought to eradicate a Tennessee law that forbids sex change surgeries and hormone blockers for children. Mr. Trump, on the other hand, in his most impactful campaign ad promised to be for us and not for they/them. Only time will tell, but the opportunity for Christian witness appears to shine brightly under the Donald Trump administration. The question then arises: “Will the church in America be ready and willing to respond effectively to the call of this new paradigm?”
There is thankfully also a second parameter to this moment in time that may seem surprising to some, but not to those of us who have been closely watching the latest trends in cultural engagement with spiritual matters. If I am right in this regard, and I certainly hope and pray that I am, there is a window of opportunity that is at least slightly opened to the outreach of Christ’s Church if we will only take hold of it. In the midst of all the political and societal turmoil surrounding us, various evangelically aligned outlets are reporting a revelation of a keen interest in all matters spiritual, particularly amongst young people who have often been identified as the “Z” generation.
Renowned Christian researcher George Barna recently revealed a study that shows over 67% of unchurched people identify as being spiritually curious. The Wall Street Journal also reported that the sales of Bibles have skyrocketed by more than 22% this year and this comes at a time when other book sales have dropped by an average of over 1%. Not only have Bible sales increased, but the same article shows that when it comes to Gen “Z” folks, “they’ve actually increased the use of the Bible within the last year.”
In another article, it is further reported that the popular Bible app “YouVersion,” which, by the way, I highly recommend, says that “it has seen more people engage with the Bible this year than ever before, drawing closer to God through His Word and through prayer features on the app.”
Interestingly, if you are curious as to what the most searched Scripture so far for the year might be — it is Philippians 4:6. One of my favorites as well, it says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
This trend has certainly not gone unnoticed over at the American Bible Society. Dr. John Plake, who is the Chief Program Officer at the American Bible Society, was asked why he thinks so many people, especially Gen Z, are engaging with the Word of God. This is what he says: “They’re leaning into the Bible. They’re really trying to engage their faith, and they are kind of a bright hope for us as a young generation of American adults.”
At Southern Evangelical Seminary, we would call the events of these last few days and months a “Kairos” moment, meaning one that is critical. In common parlance, we would say that this scenario puts us in the right time and the right place. We have eagerly waited for circumstances to fall into an alignment that would offer such an opportunity to reach our nation and world with the Good News of the Gospel. At the same time, we are keenly aware that oftentimes the American church has been ill-equipped or less than eager to seize these moments when they come. No longer can we afford to allow this kind of opportunity to elude our efforts.
That is why over the last 16-18 months we have begun preparation for a new paradigm movement within Southern Evangelical Seminary that will be designed to reflect the kind of response to the Gospel found in Acts 17:6, where even their enemies said of those early Christians that “these who have turned the world upside down have come here also.” Our new initiative which we are calling “Truth That Matters,” which includes the plans for a “Virtual Faith Link” along with other exciting opportunities for the digital community that will follow, is designed to change forever the concept of true discipleship.
We are calling the church and other parachurch groups as Paul says in Ephesians 5 to “make the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” Now is the time; America is the place for a renewed effort to reach those who are seeking. Though they may not know exactly who or what they are looking for, they cannot be satisfied until they turn to Jesus. How will they hear if no one cares enough to be in a relationship with them and point them to the Savior who loves them despite who they are and longs to help them become more like Him? Maybe, just maybe, it is time for you to join with us. If not now, when?
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After a successful career as a lawyer and judge, Judge Phil Ginn retired as the Senior Resident Superior Court Judge for the 24th Judicial District in North Carolina. Throughout his 22-year judicial career, he had the privilege of holding court in almost 50% of the county seats in North Carolina. Currently, Judge Ginn serves as the president of Southern Evangelical Seminary (ses.edu) and is a regular contributor to Christianity.com and The Washington Times. Judge Ginn has also been featured on Fox News, CBN, Newsmax, Decision Magazine, The Christian Post, Townhall and many others.
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