Christian Optimism

When our worldview is shaped by headlines and hashtags, it’s no wonder so many Christians are discouraged, fearful, and pessimistic about the future. We are flooded with a daily onslaught of negative news:

• “6 Killed in School Shooting”
• “Tornado Devastates Texas, Killing 3”
• “Company Spends Big Money to Cover Up Bullying”
• “Minnesota Becomes First State to Legally Guarantee Abortion Rights”
• “Record Number of US Adults Identify as LGBTQ”
• “School Protects Transgender Bathroom Rights”
• “Pornography on the Rise”
• “Churchgoing at Historic Low”
• “Biggest Political Corruption Scandal of My Lifetime”
• “COVID 19: Three Years of Death”

…and the headlines continue into cyberspace infinity.

I recently had a conversation with a professing atheist who was delighted to inform me that Christianity is quickly disappearing. Though I may have ‘furled my brow’ at her enthusiasm, I am well-acquainted with the argument (even within my Christian circles). There is this notion that the world is getting incrementally worse and that Christianity will eventually become a marginalized remnant in society.

Where do we get such a pessimistic idea? Historical research? Global statistics? Biblical exegesis? Or is it more like a patchwork quilt stitched together by secular news outlets, social media feeds, influential celebrity gossip, and bestselling novels about “the end times”?
Over the next few weeks, I have the opportunity of teaching a class on “eschatological optimism” which is just a fancy way of saying that I wholeheartedly DISAGREE with the conclusion that the world is getting worse and worse. On the contrary, when I consider the global trajectory of Christianity (biblically, numerically, socially, economically…), I could not be more excited.

• Biblically: the Christian’s expectation is “all the earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord” (Num 14:21; Hab 2:14). Jesus told His followers to “make disciples of all the nations”, and then He promised to be with us every step of the way (Matt 28:18–20). That doesn’t leave much room for fear and discouragement (Matt 16:18).
• Numerically: although there appears to be a pruning within the Western church (which is always a necessary part of healthy growth), Christianity is continuing to spread like wildfire across the globe. In the first century AD, the global church could fit into a single room (Acts 2:1). Today, more than 2.5 BILLION people identify as a follower of Jesus. Even in places where persecution is common (e.g., Korea, China, Africa, Arabian Peninsula, Latin America, etc.) Christianity continues to grow!
• Socially: from the beginning, Christianity has been on the frontlines in advocating for social justice and equality (e.g., James 1:27), and we continue to see the hand of God at work in powerful ways today. My church family partners with a variety of local Christian organizations that actively engaged in social ministries, such as: coming alongside pregnant women who are single (RWC), supporting adults and teens who are recovering from drug and alcohol abuse (MNTC), providing food for those in poverty (FMSC), caring for children in foster care (TRHP), sending relief to those affected by natural disasters (SEND Relief), reaching out to the homeless (UGM), and many other Christian organizations that are impacting the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
• Economically: not only is Christianity continuing to reach every inhabited country across the globe, but it also continues to penetrate every culture along the way. One particularly helpful resource in seeing the global economic impact of Christianity is the book by Alvin Schmidt, “How Christianity Changed the Word” (2004). He shows how the gospel has elevated every part of human society, including science, education, art, music, literature, healthcare, morals, gender equality, and human rights.

Are there massive problems in the world? Of course. This has always been true (Eccl 1:9).

• There has always been violence (Gen 4:8).
• There has always been wickedness (Gen 6:5).
• There has always been sexual perversion (Gen 9:24; Rom 1:26–27).
• There has always been physical poverty (Matt 26:11).
• There has always been spiritual apostacy (1 John 2:19).
• There have always been corrupt leaders (Matt 2:16–18).
• There have always been those who walk away from the church (Heb 10:24–25).

In other words, the headlines are nothing new.

So, what’s new?

What’s new is 685 million Christians in Africa.
What’s new is that the Gospel has been translated into over 2,300 languages.
What’s new is the continual increase in Christian broadcasting networks across the globe.
What’s new is the continual increase in global literacy (86%).
What’s new is the continual increase in human life expectancy across the globe (72).
What’s new is the continual increase in Christian mission organizations.
What’s new is that the murder of babies is no longer protected by the US Constitution (6.24.22).
What’s new is the growth of the homeschool movement (Deut 6:7).
What’s new is the continual increase in global church plants. My denomination planted over 700 last year alone!

In other words, I wholeheartedly join my lifelong friend, Richard Sibbes (1577-1635), in affirming that we are living in “the best times of the gospel”.