Our Threatened Freedom

Is There a Return to Religion

Professor: Dr. R.J. Rushdoony

Subject: Political Studies

Lesson: 169-169

Genre: Conversation

Track: 169

Dictation Name: Vol. M - Part 13 - Is There a Return to Religion

Location/Venue: Unknown

Year: 1980’s – 1990’s

[Dr. Rushdoony] Is there a return to religion? This is R.J. Rushdoony with a report on our threatened freedom.

In the past year, many magazines and commentators have written about a return to religion. Is this true? Is there evidence of a change in the United States?

First of all, we have had, in the past half century, more than one return to religion which meant little or nothing. A return to faith involves more than joining a church or buying more religious books.

Second, a return to religion can be a product of social stress, rather than a believing heart. I can recall in the 1940’s, hearing a returning soldier say, that under fire in a foxhole he prayed. When he came back he headed for a bar and a prostitute, and he laughed about his foxhole religion. Because of the economic problems today, more than a few people are ready to act religious, who with prosperity tomorrow, will forget the faith.

On the other hand, some of the statistics are quite interesting. The evangelical churches have gained members in the years from 1972 to 1982, and the modernistic churches have lost them. During those years, the southern Baptists gained by 20%, the Assemblies of God were up 62%, and the Seventh Day Adventists 36%. The United Methodist Church lost 10%, the Episcopal Church 15%, and the United Presbyterian Church went down 21%. In other words, the stronger the faith, the stronger the growth. Clearly, there is a return to, and a growth of a more biblical and evangelical faith. This means that it is more than a church growth, because many churches lost, but it represents instead a faith growth. Even this however is not enough to ensure a lasting return to faith. Together with a faith growth there is also an obedience growth. One telling evidence of this is the great increase every year in the growth of Christian schools. This indicates that parents take seriously their responsibilities under God.

Another indication is the growth of various agencies to deal with problems of delinquency, drugs, family stress, and more, from a biblical perspective.

Another evidence is the development of agencies to minister to poverty, unemployment, and crime, from a Christian viewpoint.

We can also add that major groups have been formed to call attention to the problems on the political scene in the realm of economics and more.

All this is promising. A valid and enduring return to the faith means that all of life is viewed in biblical terms, and in term of a mandate from God. Such a renewal if it continues offers hope of a new birth of freedom and self-government.

This has been R.J. Rushdoony with a report on our threatened freedom.