Articles
The Resilience of Christianity
When one reviews the temporal atmosphere in which Christianity first took root in Jerusalem, it is a marvel that it survived and remains a vibrant and global faith some 2,000 years later.
Political Opposition. The popularity of Jesus was a political crisis for the Jewish leadership: “If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation” (Jn 11:48). The core of the accusation to Pilate was political: “We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King … If you let the Man go, you are not Caesar’s friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar” (Lk 23:2; Jn 19:12).
Throughout the early decades of its existence Christianity faced persecution from Jewish authorities, whether in the Sanhedrin or the local synagogue. But in the latter half of the first century the political opposition grew more ominous as the Empire began to cast a suspicious eye on the new religion. Nero established a terrible precedent by persecuting Christians in Rome to deflect suspicion from himself for the great fire of AD 64. At various times and intensities the state harassed those who just wanted to live a quiet life of obedience to the Lord. But the more Christianity was opposed, the faster and further it seemed to grow.
Philosophical Rejection. “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Ps 14:1). In various ways human philosophers have dismissed belief in God as the mythology of simpletons or even sinister fantasy that deadens man’s evolutionary potential. The current climate is an intensely humanistic hedonism, and so-called progressives have visceral revulsion for any infringement upon their sovereign right to self-determination.
Natural Erosion. Ideals, values, worldviews and political structures are always in flux. Like shark’s teeth, the current cutting edge idea eventually falls away to be replaced the next new thing. One might think that Christianity would have died a natural death long ago just by sheer entropy.
But in spite of hostile attacks, internal squabbling and general failure to follow the blueprint, the word of God and the faith it produces is still “living and active” (Heb 4:12). What explains this resilience?
Well, it certainly isn’t attributable to the human element. Christianity doesn’t survive because it is championed by legions of dedicated believers. In fact, there are times in history where it would be difficult to document the presence of genuine Christian faith on the earth. If it did exist in the hearts and lives of true believers, they were an overlooked minority.
Rather, the rule of Christ remains intact simply because God said it would:
“And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed … and it shall stand forever” – Dn 2:44.
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire” – Heb 12:28-29.
“For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death” – 1 Cor 15:25-26.
The royal authority of Christ remains unaffected by worldly trends and percentage of living adherents. Nothing has abrogated or superseded it. In any generation access into the Lord’s kingdom is available, even if that access isn’t easily discovered. Satan’s influence, though powerful and persuasive to many, will never overcome the reign of Christ. The gates of the kingdom will remain open and salvation of sin available to all till the end of time.
So what does this for those who belong to Christ and yet see enemy armies looming larger on the horizon? The situation is not as dire as Satan wants us to believe, for imagining the worst shakes our confidence and paralyzes with fear. Paul says, “whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Rom 15:4). One of the things we learn from the past is that no matter how hopeless things appeared for Israel, God was always in the background watching, assessing, marshalling whatever forces were necessary to preserve His people and keep His plans on track.
We who live on this side of the cross and ancient history should be calm and confident knowing that our God superintends all things. We should take courage in “the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe” (Eph 1:19). At times the road may get narrow and steep, but it will never be obliterated by those who hate where it leads.
