Answer
The word Christianophobia literally means “fear of Christians.” But, just as very few people are genuinely afraid of homosexuals (the literal meaning of homophobia), so are very few people actually fearful of Christians. Usually, Christianophobia refers to the state of being hateful or spiteful to Christians. A Christianophobe hates or despises Christians and/or what they stand for.
The existence of Christianophobia should not be surprising. Jesus Himself predicted the world’s hatred for Christians: “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (John 15:18–19). Christians are called not to conform to the world but to be transformed into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29; 12:1–2). The unbelieving world hates what it does not understand and, therefore, will hate those who follow Christ.
Few would admit an actual emotional hatred for Christians. And, admittedly, the hatred that Christians endure in most of the world is relatively mild. But the Christianophobia in the world today is simply a foretaste of what is to come. As the world increasingly turns away from God, the hatred of God’s people will increase exponentially.
Examples of Christianophobia in the world today:
(1) In much of the Muslim world, Christians are subject to extreme persecution. In many instances, the choice is to convert to Islam, flee, or die.
(2) In much of the Western world, Christians are looked down upon, mocked or ridiculed, and marginalized.
(3) It is becoming clear that Christians who desire to live by their convictions will be ineligible for certain careers. For example, opposition to gay marriage is absolutely a biblical position. If a Christian stands firm in biblical convictions, any career that might possibly touch gay marriage is becoming off limits. Christian bakers, florists, venue owners, and government officials are being fined and even jailed for attempting to live by biblical convictions.
(4) Christian beliefs are being presented in an extremely biased manner. A belief that homosexuality is sinful is presented as hatred for homosexuals. A belief that abortion is wrong is portrayed as hatred for women. Christians proclaiming the biblical way of salvation are declared to be intolerant, even hostile, toward other beliefs. Christians desiring to train their children in a biblical worldview are seen as guilty of brainwashing.
Christianophobia is real, it is increasing, and, according to the Bible, it will get much worse as the end times approach. Ultimately, Christianophobia is satanically driven. Satan hates God, and, as the “god” of this world, he controls the evil world system that hates God and His followers (2 Corinthians 4:4). Thankfully, Christians have nothing to fear. Followers of Christ are overcomers (Romans 8:37). Greater is He (God) who is in us (Christians) than he (Satan) who is in the world (1 John 4:4).
