Saved Not Soft Podcast Episode Summary
Episode Title: American Christianity (Addressing Lukewarmness)
Host: Emy Moore
Release Date: February 25, 2025
Introduction
In this pivotal episode of Saved Not Soft, host Emy Moore delves deep into the pressing issues plaguing American Christianity. Titled "American Christianity (Addressing Lukewarmness)," Emy passionately addresses the spiritual apathy and superficial faith that she perceives as widespread in the United States. Drawing from personal experiences, scriptural references, and stark statistical analysis, Emy challenges listeners to introspect and reignite a genuine, transformative relationship with Christ.
The State of American Christianity
Superficial Belief vs. Genuine Discipleship
Emy begins by highlighting a concerning statistic: 68% of Americans identify as Christian. However, she contends that this number doesn't accurately reflect true discipleship. Through meticulous breakdown, she suggests that only about 9% of the population embodies the biblical definition of a Christian—one who not only believes in Jesus' death and resurrection but also actively lives out His teachings.
“A lot of people I know who have thought that they're in the right standing with God, but they are a walking cemetery on the inside.”
— Emy Moore [15:45]
Discrepancy in Church Attendance and Bible Engagement
Emy presents additional statistics:
- 30% of Americans regularly attend church.
- Among these, only 30% engage in personal Bible reading outside of services.
- Alarmingly, 20% of regular churchgoers have never read the Bible independently.
These figures underscore a significant gap between self-identification as Christians and active, informed faith practice.
“Two out of three people should be Christian. But when you boil it down to Bible studying, church attendance, active participation of being a disciple, that percentage quickly boils down to roughly about 9%.”
— Emy Moore [22:10]
Factors Contributing to Lukewarmness
Overexposure and Misrepresentation of Jesus
Emy argues that the overabundance of Jesus' image in American culture—through social media, merchandise, and casual mentions—has led to a diluted understanding of who He truly is. This commodification fosters a superficial faith where the name of Jesus is known, but His nature and lordship are not genuinely embraced.
“We're prostituting the image of Jesus to where people are so apathetic and dead in spirit, to where they're walking around thinking that they're saved because they know who Jesus is and they've seen His face everywhere, but they have no relationship and they have no revelation of the Scriptures.”
— Emy Moore [35:20]
Lack of True Discipleship and Spiritual Blindness
Emy identifies two primary causes of spiritual blindness in America:
- Overexposure: Familiarity breeds complacency. Just as the people of Nazareth couldn't believe in Jesus' miraculous powers due to their preconceived notions, Americans' constant exposure has numbed their faith.
- Passivity and Apathy: A general lack of active engagement with faith, leading to a reliance on church leaders rather than personal scripture study and relationship with God.
“America does not have enough faith to induce and to cultivate this miraculous power because of a lack of faith.”
— Emy Moore [40:30]
Theological Insights
Faith and Works
Emy emphasizes the biblical principle that faith without corresponding works is dead, referencing James 2:19 and Ephesians 2:8-9. She stresses that genuine faith manifests in actions that align with Christ's teachings.
“Faith without works is dead and works is evidence of your faith.”
— Emy Moore [30:15]
Jesus as Lord
Referencing Matthew 7:21-23, Emy warns that mere acknowledgment of Jesus' name without true obedience and relationship leads to exclusion from God's kingdom. She challenges listeners to evaluate whether Jesus truly reigns in their lives.
“Is Jesus Lord to you? Does He reign? Is He the number one on your priority list?”
— Emy Moore [28:50]
Scriptural Adherence Over Cultural Christianity
Emy criticizes American Christianity's drift from scriptural authenticity to cultural adaptation, urging a return to biblical truths rather than personal or societal interpretations.
“We have to go to the Scriptures and accept everything of who Jesus Christ and God claims Himself to be through what the word of God says, not our own perception.”
— Emy Moore [25:20]
Call to Action
Repentance and Genuine Relationship
Emy passionately calls for repentance and a sincere pursuit of a personal relationship with God. She urges listeners to move beyond superficial declarations of faith to living out Christ's teachings daily.
“Repent, seek the heart of God, come into His presence and apologize. Ask Him to reveal to you where you're spiritually dead on the inside.”
— Emy Moore [50:10]
Active Discipleship and Church Leadership Responsibility
Emy highlights the pivotal role of church leaders in fostering true discipleship. She criticizes the lack of effective discipleship programs and the leaders' focus on self-gain rather than guiding congregants towards authentic faith.
“As a leader, it is your job and responsibility to disciple who you're shepherding. If these pastors are not discipling properly and reaching people to share the authenticity and the conviction of God's word, then it is done in vain.”
— Emy Moore [45:00]
Embracing Faith with Works
Emy encourages listeners to integrate their faith with tangible actions—serving the church, engaging in scripture study, and living out Christ's commands with love and compassion.
“What makes you worthy of Jesus is seeing Jesus as worthy. That's what the kingdom of God is like.”
— Emy Moore [60:30]
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
-
On Superficial Faith:
“A lot of people I know who have thought that they're in the right standing with God, but they are a walking cemetery on the inside.”
— Emy Moore [15:45] -
On Discrepancy in Christianity:
“When we boil it down to Bible studying, church attendance, active participation of being a disciple, that percentage quickly boils down to roughly about 9%.”
— Emy Moore [22:10] -
On Overexposure of Jesus:
“We're prostituting the image of Jesus to where people are so apathetic and dead in spirit…”
— Emy Moore [35:20] -
On Faith and Works:
“Faith without works is dead and works is evidence of your faith.”
— Emy Moore [30:15] -
On Jesus as Lord:
“Is Jesus Lord to you? Does He reign? Is He the number one on your priority list?”
— Emy Moore [28:50] -
On Church Leadership:
“If these pastors are not discipling properly and reaching people to share the authenticity and the conviction of God's word, then it is done in vain.”
— Emy Moore [45:00] -
On Worthiness to Jesus:
“What makes you worthy of Jesus is seeing Jesus as worthy.”
— Emy Moore [60:30]
Conclusion
Emy Moore's episode "American Christianity (Addressing Lukewarmness)" serves as a clarion call for introspection and transformation within American Christian communities. By dissecting the dissonance between societal self-identification and genuine spiritual practice, Emy emphasizes the urgent need for a return to authentic discipleship rooted in scripture. She challenges both individuals and church leaders to cultivate a faith that not only professes belief in Jesus but also embodies His teachings through active obedience and compassionate works. Emy underscores that true faith is a dynamic, ongoing relationship with Christ, characterized by repentance, dedication, and a steadfast commitment to living out the gospel in daily life.
Notable Prayer and Announcements: While the episode includes prayers and announcements about donations and resources for salvation, these segments are supplementary to the core message and have been succinctly addressed within the summary to maintain focus on the primary content.
Final Encouragement: Emy concludes with a heartfelt prayer, seeking divine intervention to awaken the spiritual consciousness of listeners and urging them to embrace a transformative relationship with God. She reiterates the importance of personal devotion over superficial participation, encouraging listeners to actively seek and embody the true essence of Christianity.
For more insights and transformative messages, subscribe to the Saved Not Soft podcast and join Emy Moore on this fruitful spiritual journey.