A recently released study from the Pew Research Center suggests that, in the United States, Christianity will likely lose its status as the religious affiliation of the majority in the latter half of this century.

Since the 1990’s, the study notes that “large numbers of Americans have left Christianity to join the growing ranks of U.S. adults who describe their religious identity as atheist, agnostic or ‘nothing in particular.’” In other words, the primary driver of this phenomenon is not the growth of other faiths in this country, but the falling away of those who themselves – or their parents – were Christians.

Pew’s intent is not to speculate on the root causes of this eventuality, but to “analyze recent trends and show how the U.S. religious landscape would shift if they continued.” I, on the other hand, am quite intrigued by what we might conclude from the fact that Christians will occupy minority status – not as a result of the growth of other religions, migration patterns, etc. – but because so many have abandoned their faith. Why the falling away?

I don’t have the answers. God, of course, does. He tells us throughout scripture that this outcome was inevitable. More on that shortly.

And while I admit to not having the answers, I am an observer to the evolution of cultural norms and maintain fierce opinions about its implications for Christianity.

I will apologize upfront about my generalizations. I very much dislike making them. The New Testament makes it clear that God’s judgment will fall upon each of us individually – not as a country, community or class. Nonetheless, my observations – and opinions about those observations – are based on general societal trends. I recognize that there are, thankfully, innumerable exceptions to these generalizations. That said, here’s what I see.

Let me begin with what I suspect to be the underlying characteristic most responsible for undermining the Christian faith: pride. Pride has so permeated our culture that it seems no longer a personal trait but a dominant societal attribute that influences our behavior, our conflicts and, of course, our beliefs.

Humility was once considered an admired and treasured quality. But it seems to have given way to desperate pleas for attention, unrepentant pursuit of pleasures and wealth, and an abject revulsion to responsibility.

My sense is that our societal progression towards agnosticism/atheism is fueled by a desire to remain unencumbered by moral tenets that find their roots in Christianity – such as grace, mercy, charity, love – and humility. Generally speaking, many desire to be clear of conscience as they pursue their worldly idols of pleasure, money and fame. The comfort they find in the growing numbers that share those pursuits diminishes their fear of judgment by an omnipotent and just God. This results in an acceleration of the “falling away.”

As a Christian, I find this quite tragic but take solace in the knowledge Jesus is coming soon to judge the living and the dead. In his second letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul seems to accurately prophesy the culture in which we live today, implying that the Lord’s coming is imminent:

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”

2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NKJV)

It requires an honest self-assessment – a brutal one – to see such traits in oneself. I, for one, have done so. The person I see in the mirror is guilty of each. I have sought the Lord’s mercy and, by the shedding of His blood on the cross, I believe I have it.

I am also sufficiently honest to know that Christians are contributors to the decline in Christianity. While some blame the growing disillusionment on the starkness of the Christian message (sometimes perceived as worship of a harsh, demanding God rather than a just and loving One), I am personally more concerned about the messenger.

I have written on more than one occasion of the perils of Christian hypocrisy. That hypocrisy can be manifested in many ways and create a convenient exit lane to those whose faith is vulnerable. The integrity and credibility of believers is challenged by the prosperity gospel, Christian nationalism, and the unwavering and confrontational support of politicians whose behavior unrepentantly deviates from God’s commands.

What can faithful Christians do to turn the tide and change the trajectory of Christianity in America?

Perhaps nothing. Perhaps we are living in the last days as described in Matthew 24 – days in which there will be wars, famines, pestilence, earthquakes, hatred and false prophets. It certainly seems so much of the time.

Nonetheless, God commands us to try (Matthew 28:16-20). So, again I ask, what can true Christians do?

Above all else, we are to live our faith, eliminating the stench of hypocrisy from our walk. We must demonstrate – in all things – the love we have for our Lord and for our neighbor. The integrity and credibility of our beliefs must be visible not only to God, but to those we would have remain (or become) faithful to Him.

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

1 John 2:15-17