The linked article states that Christianity is plummeting in the U.S., while the number of non-believers is rapidly increasing. The survey in question, however, doesn't clearly define what it means to be a "Christian" and doesn't even try to define God.
What is more likely to be the case is that traditional Protestant denominations are suffering dramatic memembership decline and thus the number of people who "traditionally" identify themselves by the "Christian" brand are declining. This is a good thing, because a little of the wrong idea of God is worse than no idea of God.
Many Protestant denominations have lost their way, denying the truth and inerrancy of the Bible, denying our sinful nature, denying the need for a savior, and denying hell and even heaven. They have, essentially, created a new idea of God in their own image, destroying any basis for hope and any reason for people to be part of such a "religion." Why would anyone want to give their life to such a pointless belief system when they can go their own way and do their own thing without that encumbrance?
Thus, there is now a more understandable contrast between unbelief (as opposed to the "blurred belief" described above) and true belief in a personal, almighty, holy, creator God. The message of hope, purpose and truth, based on the God of the Bible and the work of Jesus Christ is usually more readily received by the unbeliever than the person lost in "religion."
So, Who is this God in Whom we believe? As people who trust the inerrancy of God's Word, we see two bases for understanding God: (1) what God has revealed about Himself in the creation, including both the micro, macro, intellectual and social elements that are part of that created order; (2) God's Word as something that is from God's heart and mind to receptive people who co-authored this book of truth, which contains various literary elements, but which is primarily a consistent narrative revelation of Who God is and what He has called us to as His children. The first basis is called general revelation and God has called us to study His creation through science, philosophy and every manner of study that opens our minds and hearts to Who He is and what He has done. The second basis is called special revelation and it is fully contained in the 66 books that we refer to as the Bible.
The first 39 books of the Bible are known as the Old Testament/Covenant with the people of Israel - the Jews. The 27 books of the New Testament/Covenant tell us that Jesus Christ satisfied and completed the requirements of the Old Covenant and opened the door for a new covenant between God and all people everywhere - to the Jew first, but also to every manner of Gentile.
Thus, the Old Testament gives us insight into God's character and His personal interaction with real people who struggled to follow His call to holiness. The New Testament tells us that Jesus Christ was the person of God come to earth as a man in order to satisfy and do away with the Old Covenant and offer us the free gift of his forgiveness and righteousness. This was so that we can know God and know for certain that we have eternal life with Him. We can't "work" our way to heaven, but we can receive assurance of heaven through surrendering to Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.
So, Who is this God? Is he loving? The Bible says absolutely. Will everyone go to heaven? The Bible says no, because God is holy and can't allow sin or sinful people in His holy presence. What do we have to do to be saved? The Bible says that we have all fallen short of the standard of holiness - we have a sinful nature - and we all need forgiven. The Bible says that perfect forgiveness can only come through the sacrifice the Jesus Christ offered for us - we can't be forgiven without Jesus. Jesus conquered the penalty of death and has opened up opportunity for daily relationship with the living God without the barrier of sin clouding our access to Him.
So, we know that God is holy, but He loves us so much He will forgive, if we accept His forgiveness. He doesn't force anyone to accept Him or love Him or to come into His heaven. People are free to choose hell, which is the natural place that the eternal souls of people go when they are separated from God.
So, we know that God has a plan for people: to know Him and be part of His family. We know that God allows sin, because he gives all of us a choice. We can say whatever we want about God, we can ignore Him, we can pretend that He doesn't exist, but ultimately, we don't have any excuse, because He has made His character and nature clear to us.
As someone who accepts God's Word as true, I want to make it my daily goal to honor Him, please Him and bless Him and live joyfully and thankfully because of what He has done for me. I don't want to be deceived into thinking that this glorious life is about me - it is for His glory. As we live for His glory, our priorties change, we start to learn how to think like Jesus, how to love like Jesus, how to call evil what it is and how to promote and encourage what is good and honorable and true. We have purpose, because God has given up purpose. We have value, because God calls us His children and because He makes us part of His family. He offers the same hope and purpose to everyone.
This is why people who love God are all over the world sacrificing and serving to help people understand the great God who loves and calls them and gives them hope. This is the message that transformed culture and civilizations from the filth and hurt and cheapness of life that characterized the pre-Christian world (and that still characterizes much of the world without Christian influence) and that continues to transform people in every culture. The message is real and real people respond to it in order to embrace God with all of their heart every day! May it be so with us as well.
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