More Religious?

I recently heard a conservative radio talk show host argue with a caller that American is more religious today than it was in the 60's. He said that there are more Christians, more religious people than ever before. He said that Evangelicalism didn't even exist back then. Is it true that America is more religious now than it was in the 60's?

I'm not so sure, just from history. The term, "evangelical", as it refers to a body of people, was used first in the 1500's in reference to the Lutherans as opposed to the Calvinists. It was expanded to include all Protestants. In the 19th century it began to be used as it is today to differentiate between religious liberals and conservatives. The basic definition of "Evangelical" as a group included the belief that the Bible was reliable and was the ultimate authority in matters of faith and practice (sola scriptura). It included an emphasis on a "born again" experience, encouraged missions work, and focused on the saving work of Christ on the cross. The National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) began in 1942 as part of a drive to counter the loss of influence of biblical Christianity as shown in, for instance, the Scopes Trial of 1925. The World Evangelical Alliance formed in 1951, joining believers from 21 different countries. So, historically, the fact is that Evangelicals have been around for much longer than the 1960's.

Iain Murray's book, Evangelicalism Divided, discusses the history of Evangelicalism for the latter part of the 20th century. His book details the decline of Evangelicalism. Replacing this original drive for sola scriptura and the doctrines that follow, neo-evangelicalism has taken hold in America and elsewhere. In an effort to be acceptable, the more conservative Christian groups have compromised their doctrine, as explained in Dr. Murray's book. So while there is, perhaps, a larger set of "religious people" today, they are the watered down version, the "acceptable" type.

The largest problem with the concept that America is more religious today than it was in the 60's is the Bible itself. Jesus made a stunning statement that is often overlooked in our drive for converts. "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matt. 7:12-13). Both the gate and the way that leads to life, according to Christ, are narrow. While America enjoys "many Christians", Jesus's assessment was "There are few who find it." While 65-75% of Americans claim to have had a "born again" experience, Paul suggests that "the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing" (1 Cor. 1:18).

Some think that Christians have more power and more numbers today than ever before. The Founder of Christianity says, "Few will find it". I am concerned that there are many who will face Christ on the Last Day, happily assure Him that they did much for Him, and hear, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness" (Matt. 7:23). It is my goal to make sure that I am not one of them, not deceiving myself, and that you might be careful to check on yourself as well.