(Isstories Editorial):- Des Moines, Iowa Feb 11, 2026 (Issuewire.com) – In an era where the cultural landscape is shifting rapidly, the overt presence of Christianity in the United States appears to be receding. Recent statistics from the Barna Group paint a sobering picture: over the last quarter-century, the number of Americans identifying as actively participating Christians has dropped significantly, from approximately 47% to around 24%. For many observers, this signals the arrival of a post-Christian nation. However, Rev. John Burger, a long-time pastor and the Missionary at Large for Metanoia Ministries, argues that the conversation shouldn’t end there.
Rev. John Burger suggests that while church attendance may be down, the culture is still saturated with “Gospel handles”, subtle, often overlooked remnants of biblical truth embedded in everyday language and life. By learning to identify these echoes, believers can find powerful starting points for evangelism, helping neighbors and friends rethink their relationship with God.
The Hidden Echoes of Faith
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According to Rev. John Burger, formerly of Faith Lutheran in Adel, IA, the secular world has not successfully scrubbed all traces of Christian heritage from the public square. He points to the very calendar we use to mark time. While academic circles have shifted to using “BCE” (Before Common Era) and “CE” (Common Era), the abbreviation “AD” remains in widespread use. Standing for Anno Domini, “In the year of our Lord”, it is a persistent reminder that history is measured by the life of Christ.
Furthermore, cultural touchstones like the “John 3:16” signs at football games or the lyrics of Christmas carols heard in shopping malls serve as dormant seeds of faith. These are what Rev. Burger calls “Gospel handles.” They are recognizable concepts that allow Christians to introduce the idea that God is not against humanity, but rather for them. This aligns with the mission of his organization, Metanoia Ministries. The word Metanoia implies a rethinking or reevaluating, specifically regarding one’s mindset toward God. By leveraging these cultural remnants, believers can help others discover a God who loves them, rather than one they need to hide from.
A Covenant Relationship in Psalm 23
Perhaps the most potent of these “Gospel handles” is the 23rd Psalm. Often relegated to funerals and solemn occasions, Rev. Burger views this passage as a vibrant, evangelistic declaration of a covenant relationship. He notes that the opening phrase, “The Lord is my shepherd,” is a radical claim of intimacy.
Rev. John Burger draws a parallel to marriage vows. Just as a husband and wife only refer to one another as “mine” after the covenant is sealed, the Psalmist invites the reader into a family dynamic with the Creator. It transforms the abstract concept of a deity into a personal guardian. For Rev. John Burger, who spent years serving in the Iowa District West (IDW) of the LCMS, this distinction is vital. It assures the listener that they belong to a Protector who leads them with purpose, a message that resonates deeply in a world where many feel directionless.
Countering the Culture of Want
The Psalm continues with the assertion, “I shall not want.” Rev. Burger identifies this as a counter-cultural statement in a consumer-driven society. Modern advertising is designed to manufacture need, convincing individuals that they are constantly lacking the next great product. In contrast, the Good Shepherd provides “daily bread,” a concept rooted in the Exodus story where God provided manna for the Israelites one day at a time.
This portion of the Psalm teaches contentment and reliance. It reminds the faithful that they do not need to hoard resources or succumb to the anxiety of scarcity. The Shepherd leads His flock to green pastures that are sufficient for the day. For the evangelist, this offers a compelling alternative to the exhaustion of materialism: a life where needs are met not by striving, but by trusting in a Provider.
Restoration and the Green Pastures of Life
The imagery of “green pastures” and “still waters” speaks to the universal human desire for rest. Rev. Burger suggests that these verses can be used to engage people in conversations about their passions. When someone speaks about their love for gardening, fishing, or sports, they are essentially describing their own “green pastures”, the places where they find restoration and joy.
This leads to the promise that “He restores my soul.” Rev. Burger notes that for young people especially, who may lack the perspective of longevity, hardships can feel permanent. The Shepherd’s role is to lead the weary back to joy. This restoration is not just about relaxation; it is a spiritual renewal that helps the believer navigate the valleys of life with the assurance that seasons of hardship are temporary.
The Family Name and the Path of Righteousness
One of the most profound theological insights Rev. John Burger shares involves the verse, “He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” He illustrates this with a childhood memory from his upbringing. On Saturday mornings, his parents would wake the children for chores, not as a punishment, but because that is what the family did. They worked together because they bore the family name.
If a stranger were to break into the house and do the chores, they would not become a family member; they would be an intruder. In the same way, Rev. Burger explains that righteous acts do not earn a place in God’s family. Rather, Christians do good works because they are already part of the family, a status granted by grace through faith. This distinction is crucial for evangelism. It relieves the burden of performance-based religion, offering instead a relationship where obedience is a response to love and identity, rather than a frantic attempt to earn salvation.
Goodness That Pursues
The Psalm concludes with the famous assurance that “goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” Rev. John Burger offers a unique linguistic insight here: the Hebrew word for “follow” implies an active pursuit, much like a loyal farm dog chasing a truck. It suggests that God’s grace is not passive; it aggressively pursues the believer.
Even when life involves walking through the “valley of the shadow of death,” the believer is not alone. Rev. Burger emphasizes that a shadow requires a light source, in this case, the light of the risen Christ. The Shepherd has already walked the path of death and emerged victorious, turning the grave into a mere doorway to the House of the Lord.
A Shepherd for the World
Rev. John Burger’s journey, from his roots in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS), to planting churches in Adel, IA, to teaching Luther’s Catechism in Vietnam, has culminated in a mission to share this inclusive hope. Through Metanoia Ministries, he emphasizes that the 23rd Psalm is ultimately an invitation to an eternal homecoming. It paints a picture of a life where goodness chases us down, and where the destination is a permanent dwelling in the house of the Lord, free from tears and sorrow.
In a post-Christian culture, these ancient words remain relevant. They offer a “handle” for the skeptical and the weary to grasp, pulling them toward a Shepherd who knows them by name.
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