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Post by asaph on May 12, 2015 5:37:13 GMT -8
www.pewforum.org/2015/05/12/americas-changing-religious-landscape/I remember when the numbers were in the high 80s/low 90s percent claiming belief in God and professing Christianity. Looks like the black hole of secularism is sucking people in exponentially now. The influence of federal government (politicians), the schools, Big Bang/evolution, Hollywood, creeping compromise ... they all take their toll if we are not truly abiding in Christ and pressing on to be sanctified spirit, soul and body. More technology than ever, more opportunities for spreading the gospel than ever and our generation, with all that, cannot do what the early church did in a few decades 2000 years ago. I am reminded of something I heard of what the apostle Paul will say when he resurrects. "You mean it took you 2,000 years to finish the work? Two thousand years?" What a mess. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
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Post by Josh on May 26, 2015 21:10:26 GMT -8
I think it's easy to blame outside influences ( I don't agree with everything on your list. For instance, I'd say Big Bang theory is evidence for the Creator) and let the church off too easily. If numbers are declining (and I'll note, they haven't that dramatically, and may actually just represent some winnowing of marginal believers) it's because we, the church, have neglected our commission to be God's ambassadors in deed and in word.
Our surrounding culture isn't drastically different from 1st century Rome. As you pointed out, the early Christians spoke to that culture compellingly, so can we.
And I see a lot of signs that the church in America is learning some important lessons and maturing because of it.
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Post by asaph on May 27, 2015 6:30:45 GMT -8
Well, fiat creation/cosmic evolution is another can of soup, so I won't go there. That said, proclaimers of the "Big Bang" had/have no intent to place a Creator into the scenario. That is something Christians have forced into Genesis with various juggling and sleight of hand techniques, imhc.
The overwhelming majority of humans believing in everything from a dot of matter (with no explanations where the dot came from), have no use for the Bible and its message. Millions of young people leaving the churches are doing so because of the theory of evolution, if one believes the polling and surveys. So, I have to leave the Big bang in my list as a major factor effecting the Christian church in America.
As far as blaming outside influences, would you say Christ blamed outside influences - Matt 13, Mark 4, Luke 8; parable of the sower? I would, as well as internal choices.
I believe the point is WHY are numbers declining (and if chaff is blowing away, so be it) and Christians are not carrying out the commission in word and deed? What are the reasons?
For me the answer is fairly simple: the kingdom of God is being replaced by the kingdom of men in the hearts and minds of professed believers.
"Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:8
What I see, from the limited vantage point I occupy, is a professed Christian church being conformed to the image of the world, becoming more and more political, and less and less interested in sanctification by the truth.
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