Why is Christianity declining?

[1Tonne]

Unbelievers are not indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

Agreed. Maybe you misunderstood what I was saying (Or maybe I miswrote something. I just can't find it). The Holy Spirit works through us.

 

[FenderTL5]

Why is Christianity declining?
Mahatma Gandhi summed it up this way, “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”

 

[Ignatius the Kiwi]

I mean, how much is love of neighbor the controlling idea of Christianity today? It's not apparent that it has any influence.

It seems to dominate the Christian mindset. The idea of loving your own brothers and sisters in Christ more than others is considered anathema to most.

 

[public hermit]

It seems to dominate the Christian mindset. The idea of loving your own brothers and sisters in Christ more than others is considered anathema to most.

As it should be.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

I have asked many believers about the Gospel and many, even pastors have not been able to say it.

Let's explore it a bit here then.

From Mark 1:14-15 (KJV):

Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

So What Jesus actually preached was "The time has come, The kingdom of God is at hand" followed by "repent and believe".

That is the Gospel Jesus preached.

We, of course, know the full development. That Jesus is the irreplaceable savior making the forgiveness of our sins fully possible. And yet even that is just the beginning. Fellowship with him gives the fullness of life even here and now as well as for eternity. We are commanded as well as empowered to bring about the realization of that kingdom by believing in him and obeying his teachings.. But I don't think we need to condemn others so much as clearly state the righteous expectations, the fruits of love.

What am I missing?

 

[Ignatius the Kiwi]

As it should be.

Why? Is our love to be entirely equal to everyone?

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Why? Is our love to be entirely equal to everyone?

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (Matt 5:43-45)

I recall the end of that speech ended saying those who listen to His words receive a certain effect, and those who don't receive a certain effect .. and this certain effect is probably connected to any said decline.

 

[Ignatius the Kiwi]

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (Matt 5:43-45)

I recall the end of that speech ended saying those who listen to His words receive a certain effect, and those who don't receive a certain effect .. and this certain effect is probably connected to any said decline.

No one is denying that we are to love our enemies. But should we love them more or equally to our friends/family/siblings in faith?

 

[Gregory Thompson]

No one is denying that we are to love our enemies. But should we love them more or equally to our friends/family/siblings in faith?

We should emulate God. God is love. be consistent.

 

[Ignatius the Kiwi]

We should emulate God. God is love. be consistent.

Are humans capable of love like God is?

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Are humans capable of love like God is?

People born again by the Holy Spirit could do it if they tried.

Regular people would have a lot of problems treating all others with equality.

Since we cannot tell which is which, setting reasonable expectations would be difficult.

However, it is written for whom it is written. "imitate God"

There are indeed greater heights, but even the most basic of basics seems to come off as a chore so ..

 

[David Lamb]

People born again by the Holy Spirit could do it if they tried.

Regular people would have a lot of problems treating all others with equality.

Since we cannot tell which is which, setting reasonable expectations would be difficult.

However, it is written for whom it is written. "imitate God"

There are indeed greater heights, but even the most basic of basics seems to come off as a chore so ..

I'm just checking that I have understood your post correctly. Are you saying that human beings can, if they are born again, love absolutely perfectly, as God does, for He is perfect, and everything He does is perfect?

 

[Gregory Thompson]

I'm just checking that I have understood your post correctly. Are you saying that human beings can, if they are born again, love absolutely perfectly, as God does, for He is perfect, and everything He does is perfect?

No. that's incorrect.

 

[dzheremi]

Christians would be better off learning to love each other first and foremost instead of trying to cater to those who will never love them in return.

Is love based upon reciprocity really our aim? Did Christ not love those who persecuted and ultimately crucified Him, and are we not called to be like Christ?

 

[Ignatius the Kiwi]

Is love based upon reciprocity really our aim? Did Christ not love those who persecuted and ultimately crucified Him, and are we not called to be like Christ?

We are, but we are limited creatures with limited capacities. It was said earlier that Christianity is too insular, yet the insular nature of Christianity has been there since the beginning and ultimately aided in it's survival. Love, the highest love, is reserved not for my enemies but for those I care most about, my family, my brothers and sisters in Christ and this is entirely natural and good.

 

[Ignatius the Kiwi]

People born again by the Holy Spirit could do it if they tried.

Regular people would have a lot of problems treating all others with equality.

Since we cannot tell which is which, setting reasonable expectations would be difficult.

However, it is written for whom it is written. "imitate God"

There are indeed greater heights, but even the most basic of basics seems to come off as a chore so ..

So as a rule, the true Christian is one who loves everyone equally, his enemies equally to his brothers and sisters in Christ? He will not only think of what benefits himself and those aligned with him, but what benefits his enemies? I'm curious how this was ever put into practice within the Christian community historically because I don't see this sort of equal love being expressed.

 

[dzheremi]

We are, but we are limited creatures with limited capacities. It was said earlier that Christianity is too insular, yet the insular nature of Christianity has been there since the beginning and ultimately aided in it's survival. Love, the highest love, is reserved not for my enemies but for those I care most about, my family, my brothers and sisters in Christ and this is entirely natural and good.

Insular in terms of having expected norms of behavior and belief for those already inside of it, sure. I don't think that's necessarily the criticism when people say Christianity is too insular.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

I don't see this sort of equal love being expressed.

It's a shame isn't it?

The scriptures on a similar note had a rule in the law that those who were foreigners and citizens would have one law .. but Israel of the bible didn't practice that either.

 

[Ignatius the Kiwi]

It's a shame isn't it?

Is it a shame? Why shouldn't the most intimate forms of love be expressed within different contexts or relationships? We don't think twice about the love that is reserved for marriage or the love that belongs within families, yet it is somehow wrong to suggest we ought love our brothers and sisters in Christ more than Non Christians?

The scriptures on a similar note had a rule in the law that those who were foreigners and citizens would have one law .. but Israel of the bible didn't practice that either.

Could it not be said about Israel that they loved their neighbours more than they loved God or the community of God and this is what lead to their corruption and downfall?

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Is it a shame? Why shouldn't the most intimate forms of love be expressed within different contexts or relationships? We don't think twice about the love that is reserved for marriage or the love that belongs within families, yet it is somehow wrong to suggest we ought love our brothers and sisters in Christ more than Non Christians?

Could it not be said about Israel that they loved their neighbours more than they loved God or the community of God and this is what lead to their corruption and downfall?

I wonder when the sermon on the mount stopped being the foundation of the faith?