The Middle is Disappearing
By Tom Gilbreath
On April 9th, CNN ran a news story by Lauren Fox and Jeremy Herb called, “‘The middle is disappearing’: Why three dealmaking Senate Democrats are heading for the exits.” It was not labeled “opinion” or “commentary,” but contained plenty of both. The article lamented a political climate in the United States where the two parties struggle to find common ground on which to compromise.
But the headline reminded me of something entirely different. When I was a young radio newsman working for a secular station, my boss told me to interview the then president of Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, John W. Alexander, who was visiting town. I did not inform Mr. Alexander of my Christian faith and, because of my interest in apologetics, I was able to hit him with some very tough questions. He calmly fielded all my hard inquiries with brilliant, to the point, and easy to understand answers — always focusing on Jesus. With his long experience on college campuses, nothing flustered him.
The CNN headline reminded me of one of Mr. Alexander’s answers. I brought up the seemingly contradictory ideas held by many Christians that the future would be characterized by both a great turning to Christ and, simultaneously, by a great turning away from Christ. His answer was perfect. “The middle ground is shrinking,” he said, “and it will continue to shrink.”
Compromise may be essential to democratic government, but it is poison to Christian faith. I don’t mean that Christians should not be kind, tolerant, and loving toward those who disagree with us. We should. But we must realize that we serve God, and that every other service — every act of kindness and our every good work is an offshoot of our service to, and love for, God.
John Alexander’s prognosis, “The middle ground is shrinking,” looks increasingly perceptive. We saw it then, but we see it far more clearly today. As secular benefits to church attendance die away, so do nominal Christians. More and more, you are either in for the right reasons, or you’re not in at all.
People once claimed Christian affiliation because it helped his or her position in the community. Going to church helped you meet the “right” people and enhance business. Some still use church connections or Christian symbols to encourage trust in their brands, but not like in the past. Biblical faith remains helpful in business, but not as brand enhancement. Faith in Christ encourages us to behave in ways that bring about legitimate business success. But as a public relations move; biblical faith is as likely to be a business liability as it is to be a business asset.
Some people still try to be neutral about Jesus. They commend Him as a person and teacher. Others say they “try to keep an open mind.” But Jesus long ago removed the option of taking a neutral position on Him. In Matthew 12:30, Jesus said, “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.”
It turns out that the middle ground regarding Jesus was always an illusion. But as we approach the end of the age, even that illusion is disappearing fast. And that’s a good thing.
