Exvangelicals – The Great Falling Away
Graffiti used in pro-apostasy demonstrations in Spain, Author Michael Henderson of Brisbane, ASTL (CC-BY 2.0 Generic)
“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons…” (1 Tim. 4: 1).
“Exvangelical is a social movement of people who have left evangelicalism…for atheism, agnosticism, [so called] progressive Christianity, or any other religious belief, or lack thereof…Many attribute their departure to experiences of homophobia, misogyny, and racism in evangelicalism, or to a personal crisis of faith.”
– Excerpt from a Wikipedia article on the Exvangelical Movement [1]
Sixteen million women have left the church in the last 10 years over issues like abortion, sexual cover-ups by the church, and the treatment of women in the church [2].
Often, young people choose to leave the Christian religion in which they were raised following disagreements over science and/or what are today characterized by society as LGBT “rights”. Research by the Barna Institute, in fact, indicates that less than one half of one percent of Christians between the ages of 18 and 23 hold a biblical worldview [3]!
According to the Pew Research Center, professing Christians could make up less than half the population of the United States within a few decades [4]. How many even now are Christian in name only is more difficult to assess.
Misogyny and Racism
It should go without saying that misogyny and racism have no place in the church.
Sadly, women are treated as “second class citizens” in some congregations. This is contrary to Scripture (Eph. 5: 25). Though they may play different roles in the church, men and women are equal in the eyes of God [5]. Both were created in His image (Gen. 1: 27).
As a tragic legacy of slavery, many congregations are still racially segregated today [6]. Martin Luther King, Jr. called 11AM Sunday morning “our most segregated hour.” While there has been progress since his statement, this remains a reality Christians cannot ignore, and a blight on our witness.
Hypocrisy and Homophobia
The LGBT Movement has made great strides in the court of public opinion. The rainbow — a symbol in the Bible of God’s mercy and faithfulness — has been repurposed.
Christians do not err in opposing homosexual conduct (Gen. 9: 22, 24-25; Lev. 18 22, 20: 13; 1 Cor. 6: 9; 1 Tim: 1: 9-10; Rom. 1: 26-27) [7]. Where we have fallen short is in rejecting the sinner along with the sin, and failing to recognize (and repent) of our own sins.
Growing Hostility
“Although billions of people pray to invisible gods, they’re just imaginary, as far as a sincere inquirer can tell. So, to me, the only honest viewpoint is the humanist one, which doubts the supernatural and focuses on improving human life.”
– Atheist and Journalist, James A. Haught [8]
Meanwhile, secularism has made enormous inroads. There is growing hostility toward religion. “Rapture anxiety” (an outgrowth of legalism) is actually described by some purported faith experts as a type of religious trauma leading to anxiety, depression, paranoia, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors [9].
The Great Falling Away
“Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ…[L]et no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first…” (2 Thess. 2: 1, 3).
Scripture prophesied over 2000 years ago that Satan would cause a great apostasy before Christ’s return. Christians are not, however, to be troubled in mind or allow their faith to be shaken by this.
The great falling away merely portends the soon return of Christ. We are to hold fast until He calls us home.
—
[1] Wikipedia, “Exvangelical”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exvangelical.
[2] Christian Headlines, “16 Million Women Have Left the Church in the Past 10 Years, Author Says” by Milton Quintanilla, 2/1/23, https://www.christianheadlines.com/contributors/milton-quintanilla/16-million-women-have-left-the-church-in-the-past-10-years-author-says.html.
[3] Got Questions, “Why are so many young people falling away from the faith?”, 1/4/22, https://www.gotquestions.org/falling-away.html.
[4] Pew Research Center, “Modeling the Future of the Religion in America”, 9/13/22, https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2022/09/13/modeling-the-future-of-religion-in-america/.
[5] Got Questions, “Are men and women equal in God’s eyes?”, 1/4/22, https://www.gotquestions.org/men-women-equal.html.
[6] Pew Research Center, “Many US congregations are still racially segregated, but things are changing” by Michael Lipka, 12/8/14, https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/12/08/many-u-s-congregations-are-still-racially-segregated-but-things-are-changing-2/.
[7] Got Questions, “What does the Bible say about homosexuality?”, 1/4/22, https://www.gotquestions.org/homosexuality-Bible.html.
[8] Freedom from Religion Foundation,”James A. Haught” by Bill Dunn, https://ffrf.org/ftod-cr/item/35979-james-a-haught.
[9] CNN, “For some Christians ‘rapture anxiety’ can take a lifetime to heal” by AJ Willingham, 9/27/22, https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/27/us/rapture-anxiety-evangelical-exvangelical-christianity-cec/index.html.
READERS CAN FIND MY VIEWS ON ABUSE AND ABUSE-RELATED ISSUES AT ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse https://www.avoicereclaimed.com
A Lawyer's Prayers 
Great post and it is very timely! Thank you.
Thank you, Petrina.
Auch wenn es in der heutigen schwierigen Zeit nicht leicht ist, vom Glauben abzurücken, wie es einem manche empfehlen, sollte man darauf hoffen, dass uns Hilfe von oben zuteil wird. In Liebe, Marie
Du hast so recht, Marie. Gott verlässt uns nie. In Liebe, A. ❤
This is such a great overview of what is happening in the church at large today. The statistics are disturbing, especially with regard to women and youth. It surely shows the importance of family study, prayer and worship which then extends into the church. May Christ Jesus return soon!
Those of us blessed to know Christ must remain faithful, teaching our children the truth of the Gospel, even in these dark times.
This goes in cycles through out history. A preacher once said it oh so true. When times are good the churches are empty. When times are bad, churches are full. Only true Christians fill the pews all the time.
An astute observation.
When it comes to knowing God and having a living practical relationship with God, the label of “christian” has no weight with God. It is finally becoming that way in our culture. Many “christians” are in reality practical atheists’ living as if there were no God. I hope their children rebel and find God.
So right, Gary.
We are in “the evil day,” the battle is on, and many are falling away. All the more reason for us to do as Paul counsels. “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Eph 6:13).
Amen.
It’s so sad to me to see young people – some who were once on fire for Jesus – reject the faith because of certain individuals calling themselves Christian but living otherwise. They no doubt consider these hypocrites their enemies. If only they could see that those who claim the name of Christ and do evil are HIS enemies, too.
I so agree w/ you, Ann.
This is a very excellent and timely post. I am astonished by the things happening in the world around us. OH how I pray that my adult children and grandchildren will return to the Lord!
Several of the blogs that I have been following for years, have somehow been removed from my follow list. I had to re-follow you again. I am grateful that you are still here and still posting.
You are very kind, Linda. I, too, pray for unsaved loved ones, as well as for members of the younger generation who do not know Christ.
Excellent post Anna. I see this exodus from church on a frequent basis, and it is always hard to watch people walk away. I have to say however, I fully understand why some leave the church.
When you consider what a mess we’ve made of it, how we selectively pick and choose who we let into our exclusive club, it’s easy to see why some become disillusioned. This is not what our Lord had in mind for His body. Not even close.
Like the Laodicean church of Revelation, we have left our 1st love. Not lost it, but willingly left it and exchanged it for a counterfeit, one that does not work and is powerless to reach the broken.
Until the church repents and does the first works again, I am afraid that the mass exodus will continue.
I fully agree, Ron. Discarding doctrinally sound hymns for rock music and fog machines, while watering down the Gospel message to suit the culture certainly has not worked.
My apologies Anna. I meant to say the church at Ephesus, not Laodicea. Too many irons in the fire today!
Bonjour mon ami, amie ANNA
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Belle journée à toi. Ton ami du net
Merci pour le sourire, Bernard. Ce monde a vraiment besoin de sourires. 🙂