How Many Christians Does It Take to Change an Empire?
Roger Olson, in his interesting The Story of Christian Theology, remarks on p. 137, “No one can say just what percentage of the citizens and subjects of the empire were Christians by that time [c. ad 301], but a fair estimate would be about 5 percent.”
Olson is remarking on the incredible sea change that followed almost fifty years of intense imperial persecution to Christianity becoming tolerated through Constantine’s Edict of Milan, ad 313, and then becoming eventually the established religion of the empire.
Now let’s think about our current world. Years ago, when we came to our ministry, someone showed me a study showing that church attendance in Victoria, BC, was only about 6 percent of the local population on any given Sunday, including all the mainline and apostate denominations … and the cults. It is no wonder that my city has such a secular mindset and so little Christian influence.
What about, the United States? According to Wikipedia (I know, I know…) evangelicals amount to about 25% of the population.
Comprising nearly a quarter of the U.S. population, evangelicals are a diverse group drawn from a variety of denominational backgrounds, including Baptist, Mennonite, Methodist, Pentecostal, Plymouth Brethren, Quaker, Reformed and nondenominational churches.1
Thinking about this further, I wondered what the statistics were for a state like California, often thought of as one of the more secular states in the Union. According to Religious Beliefs In California – WorldAtlas, Protestants account for 32 percent of Californians, which of course would include evangelicals, but also mainline and liberal denominations. According to Religion in California 2023 | Christianity in California, the numbers break down to 20 percent evangelical, 10 percent mainline, and “Historically Black Protestants” at 2 percent.
Now, who knows what these numbers mean? It is possible that these numbers are just what people say, but the individuals claiming them are mostly “nominal” evangelicals without any real living testimony.
The question is, how many Christians does it take to change an empire?
According to Olson’s quote, about 5 percent. Doubtless these Christians had a real testimony, with any frauds winnowed out by persecution. But think about that number.
If 5 percent can change an empire, why can’t 25 or 20 percent change America or California?
What needs to happen to bring about change and overthrow the triumphant secularism and the hubris of the activist social agenda?
It is one thing to “fight fire with fire” and become a conservative activist. Perhaps such efforts will have some effect. But I wonder if we shouldn’t focus more on those who profess faith in Christ but can’t be bothered to live for him. I wonder if what we need is just a little revival among those who profess to be Christians.
Don Johnson is the pastor of Grace Baptist Church of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
Photo by Maria Dolores Vazquez on Unsplash
- Not sure how Quakers qualify as evangelicals, but that is the quote from Wikipedia as of 3/30/2023. [↩]
The difference being is that the Roman empire was pagan in decline, while Christianity was a refreshing new world-view on the rise that had the power to transform. The USA is on the decline while rejecting it’s Christian heritage, so it is headed in the opposite direction looking for answers away from God.
Thank you for your comment. I don’t think the Romans were in decline at 300. They had at least another hundred years to go before decay started to set in. However, the point that we are in a post-Christian society in the USA and especially other western nations is true.
Nevertheless, it is remarkable (if the estimate is true) that a Christian population of 5% had such an impact on a society such as the Roman Empire.
Maranatha!
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3
A parallel question: How many people in a nation must become so bad that God decides to judge that nation? The OT has many warnings of judgment to different nations, including Israel. During Elijah’s time many people still followed God, but God judged nevertheless. The percentage probably varies depending on God’s plans. I often pray, privately and publicly, for the Lord to bless what He can and be merciful with the rest.