I do not re-read books. I have an ever-increasing list of books that I want to read and only one lifetime in which to consume them; therefore, I never read a book twice—even if it is really good. The Bible is, of course, my exception to this rule. It is my joy to read and study God’s Word so that I might know its divine author better everyday. I have found its text to be “more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold” (Psalm 19:10) and I am hungry for more of it. No other book, no matter how useful and articulate, can compare to the Scriptures. Therefore, it is no small thing that I began to re-read “Real Christianity” by William Wilberforce last night.
This post will cover the content of chapter 1: The State of Contemporary Christianity. I hope that my account of the chapter will cause you to take a deeper look into your own Christian life to see where you stand. I also hope that your appetite will be whet for more Wilberforce and convince you to read this insightful book for yourself.
As mentioned in the introductory post, Wilberforce authored his book in 1797. What do we have to learn about the state of contemporary Christianity from a book written by a politician in Great Britain over 200 years ago? I wasn’t sure what to expect when I began reading, but I quickly realized that Wilberforce’s description of the state of Christianity in England during his day, is startlingly prescriptive of American Christianity in 2011. Both countries are considered “Christian nations”, founded on “Christian principals.” However, in 1797, at the end of the age of enlightenment, being ultra religious was frowned upon. Sure, good Anglicans attended their Sunday services, but, for most, Christianity infiltrated no other aspect of their life. In fact, (side note because I just can’t help it!) when Wilberforce had his “great transformation”—as he always referred to his conversion experience from that point forward—those who were closest to him, including his family, feared that he had become “melancholy mad” and given to “Methodism”—as religious fanatics were thought of during that time.
The target audience for Wilberforce’s book is those who profess to be Christians. Decide for yourself if you fit into this category. Given a survey with the question “What is your religious affiliation?” if you would write Christian on the line as apposed to Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, atheist etc., then this book is for you.
Wilberforce started the chapter by contrasting cultural Christianity with authentic Christianity. Now, I immediately thrust myself into the category as one of the “authentic” ones; however, as I continued reading, it was disturbing and convicting to me how much of my life contained evidence of cultural Christianity.
The following is a side-by-side comparison of characteristics of cultural Christians to authentic Christians as defined by Wilberforce.
Cultural Christianity | Authentic Christianity |
Consider themselves “good” because they avoid “bad” things | Understand their sinfulness and rely on God’s grace for forgiveness |
Know some of the basic facts about Christianity but have no idea how to apply them to life | Understand that it is imperative not to simply be religious or moral, but also to master the Bible intellectually, integrate its principles morally, and put into action what is learned practically |
Place greater emphasis on their children getting a good education than learning about the things of God | Teach faith to their children—what they believe and why |
They are Christian because their family is Christian | They have studied the facts and come to the point of intellectual conviction. |
Wilberforce points out that the problem with Cultural Christianity is that authentic faith is not inherited; it must be personal. Moreover, almost all people believe that they are moral, so the problem with thinking that one is “good” because he or she avoids “bad” things is that the subjective standard of good and bad shifts with the changing times. This is why diligent study of the Bible is required. The Bible instructs of the perfect standard that cannot be reached in one’s own striving. It is achieved only when one realizes his or her inability to earn righteousness and relies on the grace of Jesus who took the punishment of sinners on himself when he died on the cross.
Another point that Wilberforce makes in chapter 1 is that there is a weight of responsibility for those who claim the name of Christ. “[God] will…hold us accountable for our stewardship of all the potential instruction we might have taken advantage of to learn the truths of authentic faith” (p 22). Wilberforce urges his readers to study God’s Word intently in order to achieve spiritual growth. He notes that no one achieves success in any arena of life, including spiritual growth, without hard work and perseverance. He blames the current state of Christianity on the fact that most have a Bible on a shelf and are content to allow it to collect dust while they remain Biblically illiterate.
The result of neglecting the Scriptures is nominal Christians who “agree with statements such as, ‘It doesn’t matter what you believe; it is how you live that counts’ and ‘It doesn’t matter what you believe, as long as you are sincere in your belief’” (p 24). Keep in mind that this was written 200+ years ago, yet how it reflects our post-modern society!
Searching the Bible requires an honesty of mind, a desire to be instructed, and openness to what this inquiry reveals. If we approach God’s Word in this way, God will keep His promise and reveal His truth.
