Tim Keller writes a lot.
Keller has written a plethora of insightful books over the past couple decades which have positively influenced countless men and women. In his book on the Gospel of Mark, Keller cites some amazing statistics about the global growth of Christianity. Pastor Keller asserts that in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, Christianity is growing at a rate up to 10x the population growth rate. Additionally, more than 50% of Christians in the world currently live in the southern hemisphere. In other words, the Christian faith is growing in what many call the Global South.
As an example, in just two countries (Nigeria and Uganda) there are more than 10x the number of Anglicans than in all of the United States. As further evidence of the shift in Christianity, in 1900 Africa was only 1% Christian, but today Christians make up almost 50% of the African population.
These are encouraging signs for Christians living in the West. Although we do not always see spiritual vitality in the USA or the UK, for example, the message of the Gospel is expanding and the message of the cross if thriving throughout the world.
The message of Christianity can easily be obscured in America. It can be subtly transformed into a nice, moral, respectable religion for the well-to-do. As Keller points out, when Christianity is in a place of power and wealth, there is frequently a tendency to lose the radical message of sin and grace through the cross of Jesus Christ.
This truth is evident in the ministry of Jesus Christ when he says that it is hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God. Christ says, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God" (Mark 10.25). In other words, those who trust in their wealth or possessions (like the rich young man from Mark 10) will not find salvation because they will not look to Jesus Christ.
They are looking to what they own rather than to what Christ offers them.
Christianity is not a nice religion for respectable people trying to get ahead in life. The biblical message is that you are a sinner in need of a savior. You are guilty of sin and face the punishment of eternal death unless your sins are forgiven.
The Gospel message is that your sins will be forgiven when you turn to Jesus Christ. Turn from sin and look to him in faith. Trust him with your life and you will inherit eternal life. This is the message Christians in the West need to recover and proclaim to a world lost in sin and spiritual darkness.