Living Church

A recent news article reports a “mass exodus” away from Christianity in the United States. It refers to adults who grew up in Christianity but have left the religion and church as “nonverts.” Statistics show that an increasing number of people around the world are shunning religion. (See Suzette Lohmeyer and Anna Deen, “A mass exodus from Christianity is underway in America. Here’s why,” Grid News, December 17, 2022.)

While anyone who loves church and has experienced the blessings it brings to individuals and communities should be alert to this trend, the Bible offers reassurance. The prophet Isaiah describes the kingdom of Christ thus: “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this” (Isaiah 9:7).

Echoing this prophecy in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, who founded the Church of Christ, Scientist, writes, “. . . ‘of his kingdom there shall be no end,’ for Christ, God’s idea, will eventually rule all nations and peoples—imperatively, absolutely, finally—with divine Science” (p. 565). This is heartening, because it means that the continued existence of Christ’s kingdom as represented humanly by church is secure in God’s immutable promise.