Decline of Christianity in Western Society?

[Breetai]

Wishy-washy Christians not standing up for the Bible.

"The Bible can be interpreted in many ways..."
"The Bible doesn't really mean what it says..."
"The stories in the Bible are all metaphors..."
"etc."

When Christians stop trusting God's word as fact, they slowly (sometimes quickly) begin to lose their faith in Christ.

 

[bertie]

I think it a qestion of peoples hearts more than their minds.
I think that even the poor of the west are fabulously wealthy compared to other 3rd world standards.
The european socialistic goverments have leveled the playing field too.
We have not real challenge to our survival and well being as others who are increasing church memberships.in the face of poverty and hardships we cant really imagine till we go and actually see the mexican kids scrounging in the dump for a living,the families living on the east indian streets........We really dont call out to God anymore because we dont experience the situations where only He can make a difference in the same way as other far less fortunates .Instead we hope for human relief from our aflictions......
We smugly rely on human means ....long after we should have been praying....
We dont understand what giving really costs to those who have nothing....
Nor do we approach the humility to the Lord that poverty produces....
The old camel through the needles eye trick played on us....

 

[exodus19]

Can anyone offer a good explanation for the decline of Christianity in Western Societies?

The traditional church in those societies are dying. More people are turning to other alternatives for their faiths.

IMHO, I think that Christianity suffered a serious setback in the two World Wars when millions of people were killed or were maimed. In Britain and France in the aftermath of the First World War, many widows or mothers used mediums or the occult to try to contact their dead sons or husbands. The church was unable to offer an answer to the people's questions on suffering.

When the church has failed, and more people embracing secular ideas, Christianity became meangingless - a dead activity with boring rituals.

I think only when the church and Christians around the world put into practise, Jesus' teaching on love and self-sacrifice will we see a revival.

IF YOU TAKE A SNAP SHOT OF THE PEOPLE WHO ATTEND CHURCH AND CALLED THEMSELVES CHRISTIANS AND FOLLOWED THERE EVERY MOVE FOR 7 DAYS 24/7 I WOULD SAY THERE MAY NOT BE TOO MANY CHRISTAINS,

IT'S ONLY AN ORGANIZATION AFFILATION WHO SELLS MEMBERSHIPS TO A FALSE PROMISE OF HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF CLOUDED SUBURBS SITTING IN HEAVENS ;OUNGING AROUND NOT EATING OR DRINKING IT'S JUST HEAVEN , NO NEED TO EXPLAIN.

ODDLY ENOUGH THE CHRISTAIN CHURCH DOESN'T GIVE YOU THE ANSWER IN REV CH 21 DO THEY , WONDER WHY?????


..........CAUSE THEY AIN'T CHRISTIANS , THEY ARE CLUBS WITH MEMBERS WHO SERVE FLESHLY DESIRES.

LOL , sorry, but it's true.

 

[OttawaUk]

Until I set foot in Heaven, I am not going to say that the judgement doesnt count.

ALL will be judged, and I am not sure any can claim the reward til they pass that.

Ever read the apparitions of Medjugorje? Its a curious thing.

Warrior, this is the saddest part of Christianity today, they don't even believe God's promises in the Bible.

God has PROMISED us eternal life for those who are in Christ Jesus. This is not a maybe, this is not conditional, this is a promise.

Sadly even many born-again Christians are duped by Satan's lies that God is waiting to squash them for every mistake they make. This is why we have so many ineffective Christians stuck in their past not believing God's promises about our future.

Now as an aside to this thread. I agree, we are headed for bad times, but you and I have a responsiblity. We can't hide in our houses and wait to die. We need to be out there telling people the Truth.

I myself am getting braver about sharing Christ and I look for every opportunity. We have nothing to fear. Even if we die for our Faith, we still have our Faith!

God Bless,
OU

 

[bertie]

Sharing ones faitrh means LIVING ones faith......Who among us has the guts and the gumption to get out and do exactly that?
First of all, it can get you chewed to pieces in our society,second of all it can get you committed to a MENTAL INSTITUTION FOR LIFE!
As nearly happened to me......(true story)
People these days are of the type we have been warned about by Christ and also Paul.(having a testimony of the gospel,but denying its power......)
Christians are by definition insane by modern Psychological diagnosis....
I challenge anyone to literally try to follow Christ,and i gaurantee it will get you committed or worse.
Only when you deny the power of the Holy Spirit will you be accepted by modern society.....and psychologists.Thusbe deemed to be let free to live your life outside of the institutional system.
There is NO PLACE FOR GOD IN THIS SOCIETY!People tell you they are Christians,but dont believe them till they admit that Jesus was the son of God and that he came in the flesh earth to show us the way we are to live in order to be allowed the priviledge of residing in Gods Kingdom after the second comming of our LOrd.And actually live like what they say is true!
There are far and away too many triflers in the churches.They pay only lip service to the whole concept,then they go and do what they want.
There are few enough restrictions on a gentile believer.Yet most people disregard these and rationalize the scriptures to find no blame for their transgressions.
I speak about church members who are regularly violating even these simple rules of conduct.
They assume no guilt for their actions,and only expect others to be the Christians they fail to be.
They do not find fault with themselves and never consider their own iniquity.This is insane on their part,and yet there is no getting them to view the reality of their sin,because in their minds,this all has to do with others!Certainly not them!
This state of mind leads to multiple personality disorder of some kind.
It is insidious and destroys those who sincerly try to follow ....
But the majority is forced to destroy these people(literal believers) in order to preserve their own insanity!

 

[exodus19]

Sharing ones faitrh means LIVING ones faith......Who among us has the guts and the gumption to get out and do exactly that?
First of all, it can get you chewed to pieces in our society,second of all it can get you committed to a MENTAL INSTITUTION FOR LIFE!
As nearly happened to me......(true story)
People these days are of the type we have been warned about by Christ and also Paul.(having a testimony of the gospel,but denying its power......)
Christians are by definition insane by modern Psychological diagnosis....
I challenge anyone to literally try to follow Christ,and i gaurantee it will get you committed or worse.
Only when you deny the power of the Holy Spirit will you be accepted by modern society.....and psychologists.Thusbe deemed to be let free to live your life outside of the institutional system.
There is NO PLACE FOR GOD IN THIS SOCIETY!People tell you they are Christians,but dont believe them till they admit that Jesus was the son of God and that he came in the flesh earth to show us the way we are to live in order to be allowed the priviledge of residing in Gods Kingdom after the second comming of our LOrd.And actually live like what they say is true!
There are far and away too many triflers in the churches.They pay only lip service to the whole concept,then they go and do what they want.
There are few enough restrictions on a gentile believer.Yet most people disregard these and rationalize the scriptures to find no blame for their transgressions.
I speak about church members who are regularly violating even these simple rules of conduct.
They assume no guilt for their actions,and only expect others to be the Christians they fail to be.
They do not find fault with themselves and never consider their own iniquity.This is insane on their part,and yet there is no getting them to view the reality of their sin,because in their minds,this all has to do with others!Certainly not them!
This state of mind leads to multiple personality disorder of some kind.
It is insidious and destroys those who sincerly try to follow ....
But the majority is forced to destroy these people(literal believers) in order to preserve their own insanity!

yes bertie this is pretty much true. i can emphathize with your personal story and probably share a similar on.

nothwithstanding all the mental cases that said they heard God and believe Him to be real and suddenly see their familily and peers tturn on them and soon they are given pills of sorts that really sets them off as looney.

this is the way of the Gove to maintain control over their Evil rulled cultures of sin life. Essentially they promote Sodom (y) and gamorrah,
in the last 50 years it has eccelerated to the point that they cannot bring it back under control b/c it would go against "CAPITOLISM' and what fuels it SEX SELLS. naked bodies all looking like made up dolls and figures that they have caused to be the idols of society.
IE WOMEN, these are the obsession hence they rule what drives the ecomomy.

GO figure, AND SOMEONE CALLED ME A ROCKET SCIENTIST , HAHAHA

sex, drugs and rock and roll, increases guns , violence, hatred and ultimately war.

those who have big guns, or should i say big armies made their money from selling sex on tv,
and they though the jews were brilliant.

EVER WONDER WHY THE jews WERE HATED BY GOD, FOR THEIR MAINIPULATIVE WAYS?
yet it says that Zion will come again.

IT WILL .............................AS NEW ZION................

READ MY LIPS

Do any of you ever think the Palestines are reading the Bible correctly? or literally too?

 

[Breetai]

I challenge anyone to literally try to follow Christ...

How about I don't do that. I'll try to do what Christ wants me to do, but nowhere are we told to literally do what He did!

 

[exodus19]

How about I don't do that. I'll try to do what Christ wants me to do, but nowhere are we told to literally do what He did!

Beetrai,
Jesus did not speak in the physical, his words were spritual.

heal the spirit, implies puge your conscience from sin desire.

This one goes over 99.9 % of all people.

peurge your self from sin desire. jesus implied live perfectly, as did the Holy Prophets.
to be perfect implies all you do and think is for the pleausre of God.

What Prophet came to say it was impossible, "everything is possible with God"

who said that, some nut case of God, the Holy Spirit or is it something we just have to overlook to satisfy sin desires and claim faith as the saving grace and when you commit sin , you go oh well ,

that cool Jesus, he died for me so all is good. Let me see i've cut down my sin action to 5 a day.

well???????????????????????????????

some kill, some lie, some cheat.

Did not one say one sin is equal to the other, therefore if you break one then it is like you have broken all.

Who said that, God or some rambling idiot?

And what did imply?

if you live with a sin attitude then you cannot see God, nor hear Him, nor recognize Him.

Therefore Rev 3:18 says "to purge yourself buy buying from me the gold tried in the fire."

the same verse comes from the OT.

there is nothing new in the World, neither are you new, just a soul come again but now you have choice to live with God in harmony with him or live in sin with the sons of evil kings accepting their liberal physcical laws permitting you to sin and they give you a god too.

could be a buddist, god a hindu god a muslim god a christian god, all god promising by all the Gove instututed religions of the world granted by their respective universities have a saving god.

so enjoy life, sin and god, so gods allow sex with 14 year olds, but now the gods say 18 is better sex or whatever,

sex is not sin right, just sport with some dark corners in white houses by presidents who can get away with calling it massage.

ya right.

read the 2cd ch of 1Sam and see what the boys were doint with the girls..


have we all forgetton the Words from Solomon and all about the girls that invite men into their house for a little sin action, with perfumed places and pillows to boot and what is their but THE DEAD.

ALL FORGETTING WHAT SIN IS EH?

God hasn't and it will be worse in the end times than in the days of Sodom(y) and Gamorrah.

ARE WE THERE YET?

Good question?

is it selective reading or just LIVING IN DENIAL

WHICH IS IT?

 

[OttawaUk]

Yes I do agree with you that as Christians, we often become too complacent with sin.

Especially in the Western world where sin is so abundant around all of us, its easy to get ensnared into it.

However, trying to become sinless is not what saves us, it is the blood of Christ on the Cross. As we grow as Christians, we become more like Christ and less like a sinner.

I think as Christians, we need to worry less about trying to be perfect, because while we're in the flesh I don't see how its possible to be perfect and only God is perfect. What we should be doing is listening to what God's Will is for our lives and let the Holy Spirit transform us from being a sinner into being more like Christ.

OU

 

[Breetai]

Exodus, I think you completely missed my satire.

 

[OttawaUk]

Concerning the earlier talk about Christians trying to be perfect and without sin.

Listen to Paul - "I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin."

Or James "We all stumble in many ways."

The idea is to turn from sin and turn to God.

Those who are claiming sinless perfection, I would probably point them to what the Pharisees were claiming in Jesus' time.

OU

 

[exodus19]

bertie ,

nothing personal, but you need see what this 'christain' thing is.
originally jesus did teach the perfection of the spirit.
Man has come in the guise of calling themselves christian, which was coined as a follower of jesus in the church of Anitioch, but this idea of follower was not extended by birthright but by one who walks in the shoes or likeness of a sinless life believing in the shed blood of Jesus as the replacement sacrifice for repenting and being cleansed from a sin.
" i here there is fornication amongst you ", said Paul. One who was committing adultry or continuing in sin was not a ' Christian" per say.
Though there were people who aligined with the faith and later decided to say the were christian by birth is no different than the brahman caste of Priests in Indian who claim to brahman by birth yet they are constantly sinning.
A man who lives a life of sin is not a priestly or saintly man.

Originally one was identified as priestly according to their lifestyle.

Now there were gifts as freely coming from God that permitted the differences to exist among the tribe of followers. However, unless they followed the standards set out by God via the Moses law of righteousness then they would be cast out.
This said it implied no longer accepted, or accredited as being called a christian. This expression comes from the OT wherein the jews were born jew in name only but followed after the habits of pagan religions and were adulterers and fornicators as well as offfered flesh foods to the gods that were not accepted by the God of Moses.

so birthright or simply being a church folowerer or professing ones affiliation to a body of people or simply being born into a type of so called religious label, does not 'TRIUELY PERMIT ONE TO BE ONE, THOUGH HE MAY OR THEIRT PARENTS MAY CLAIM TO BE "

so it is best to leave off c'hristian' unless you can really do his will and follow him, as he said "those who do the will of my Father are in me and i in them" .
Why has this been deminished.???????????


the answer following is to your concern unless you understand that there is a need for a 2cd coming.
If all christians are saved through birth and simply making a claim then what is the need for a return??????????????

God's will, hence the coming or 2cd coming of the son to restablish what is the "true follower" opposed to what is in name only.

Hence as it is prophetized the son will come and the bride will recieve a 'new name' written in the 'new stone', ie' new heart' given them as is written in the ' living word' or the 'book of the lamb' which essentially is also seen in the book of the seven seals.

"And he had a book that no one was capable to look thereon but as it was said a great angel said but look the " lion of Judah, has come to open the seven seals". Rev ch 5
______________________________________

Unless you keep with me here as it is written in the Text and acknowledge you agree or understand , then advancement cannot be made.

There is a new condition, that appears and though you may have a hard time hearing it, it comes nonetheless and is allready laid out in God's plan.

You have all avoided many times my repeating having to sing the song of Moses. It's not new, but because it has been lost, that said implies lost to the so called christians today who are teaching a 'false hope' doctrine.

if you cannot accept this, then i'm sorry you are not at first base yet in your understanding as to what is a christian and what is one in name only.

so despite all what is said as in accepting the 'nicene creed' i tell you, it too it is flawed by it's very authors who have written in false doctrine.

i may say i am christian for no other purpose but to teach the True teachings of Jesus. I come in the testimony of jesus and say it is the 'spirit of prophecy' and one must abide in that prophecy to know Him.

if you just ignore my post and address each other at some time in the future this post or portions thereof will resurface in order to bring in the PATTERN OF THINGS TO COME.

peace ,bro

 

[WarriorAngel]

Warrior, this is the saddest part of Christianity today, they don't even believe God's promises in the Bible.

God has PROMISED us eternal life for those who are in Christ Jesus. This is not a maybe, this is not conditional, this is a promise.

Sadly even many born-again Christians are duped by Satan's lies that God is waiting to squash them for every mistake they make. This is why we have so many ineffective Christians stuck in their past not believing God's promises about our future.

Now as an aside to this thread. I agree, we are headed for bad times, but you and I have a responsiblity. We can't hide in our houses and wait to die. We need to be out there telling people the Truth.

I myself am getting braver about sharing Christ and I look for every opportunity. We have nothing to fear. Even if we die for our Faith, we still have our Faith!

God Bless,
OU

I am confused about the 'stuck in their past..?'

 

[OttawaUk]

Felling guilty over sins before they were born-again, walking in the flesh instead of the spirit, listening to Satan's lies etc.

Here is who we really are in Christ (forgive the caps)..

WHO AM I?

I AM A CHILD OF GOD. (John 1:12, 1 John 3:1)
I AM NOT MY OWN; I'VE BEEN PURCHASED BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST! (1Cor. 6:19-20, 1 Peter 1:18-19)
I AM THE CENTER OF GOD'S LOVE AND AFFECTION. (Zechariah 2:8)
I AM ALIVE IN CHRIST! (Ephesians 2:4-5)
I AM MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD. (Genesis 1:26)
I AM FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE! (Psalm 139:13-14)
I AM THE PURPOSED CREATION FO THE ULTIMATE CRAFTSMAN. (Ephesians2:10)
I AM AN HEIR WITH CHRIST JESUS. (Romans 8:17, Galatians 4:7)
I AM A CITIZEN OF HEAVEN. (Philippians 3:20)
I AM AN ETERNAL SOUL AND WILL LIVE FOREVER! (John 3:36, Romans 6:23)
I AM THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT-THE DWELLING PLACE OF GOD. (1 Cor. 3:16, Ephesians 2:22)
I AM SEALED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. (Ephesians 1:13)
I AM EMPOWERED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT TO BE CHRIST'S WITNESS. (Acts 1:8)
I AM THE SALT OF THE EARTH. (Matthew 5:13)
I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. (Matthew 5:14)
I AM CHRIST'S AMBASSADOR. (2 Corinthians 5:20)
I AM WORTH MORE THAN MANY SPARROWS. (Matthew 10:31)
I AM A SHEEP OF HIS PASTURE. (John 10:14-16)
I AM A FRIEND OF JESUS. (John 15:14)
I AM NOT A SLAVE TO SIN, BUT A SLAVE TO RIGHTEOUSNESS. (Romans 6:18)
I AM FREE FROM COMDEMNATION. (Romans 8:1)
I AM A MEMBER OF THE BODY OF CHRIST. (1 Cor 12:27)
I AM CHOSEN BY GOD. (1Thessalonians 2:13)
I AM A MEMBER OF HIS ROYAL PRIESTHOOD. (1Peter 2:9)
I AM HOLY-SET APART BY GOD. (Eph. 1:4)
I AM EQUIPPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK. (2 Timothy 3:17)
I AM A NEW CREATION. (2Corinthians 5:17)
I AM FREE!! (John 8:36)
I AM JOINED TO CHRIST AND HIS LIFE FLOWS WITHIN ME. (John 15:5)
I AM AN OVERCOMER - MORE THAN A CONQUERER. (Romans 8:37)
I AM THE BRIDE OF CHRIST! (Revelation 19:7)

 

[WarriorAngel]

Good post...AND we shall 'work out our salvation with fear and trembling.'

Peace!

 

[exodus19]

Ottawa,UK,

it's nice to have all the quotes, but the reality is this follows the 2000 year old Jesus and all the quotes from the NT.

so when the son appears then you have all this obligation to be a part of his association as with the rest of the bride.

Being able to abide in all the above would make you angelic and ready to move on with proceedure as Revelation has it recorded, correct.

so therefore the call to order as written in Rev ch 2 & 3, you have embraced and are ready to receive the messiah.

Then he says i stand at the door knocking, he who shall receive me, i will go into his house and sup with him. So you understand that, that sup implies ''eat the bread of life'', therefore hear from God, Our Father and execute His Will as it is written , correct.

so i'll be glad to further our relationship should you be willing.

peace bro.

as i said before, the Ottawa River flows right by the front of my house on Perrot island, perhaps we can share the river this summer, it's absolutely beautiful were i'm at.

 

[exodus19]

Ottawa,UK,

it's nice to have all the quotes, but the reality is this follows the 2000 year old Jesus and all the quotes from the NT.

so when the son appears then you have all this obligation to be a part of his association as with the rest of the bride.

Being able to abide in all the above would make you angelic and ready to move on with proceedure as Revelation has it recorded, correct.

so therefore the call to order as written in Rev ch 2 & 3, you have embraced and are ready to receive the messiah.

Then he says i stand at the door knocking, he who shall receive me, i will go into his house and sup with him. So you understand that, that sup implies ''eat the bread of life'', therefore hear from God, Our Father and execute His Will as it is written , correct.

so i'll be glad to further our relationship should you be willing.

peace bro.

as i said before, the Ottawa River flows right by the front of my house on Perrot island, perhaps we can share the river this summer, it's absolutely beautiful were i'm at.

WHO AM I ?

According to the Bible, i am, and according to the Bible you are too.

So who are you?

Do you serve God. or man.?

 

[bertie]

bertie ,



Man has come in the guise of calling themselves christian, which was coined as a follower of jesus in the church of Anitioch, but this idea of follower was not extended by birthright but by one who walks in the shoes or likeness of a sinless life believing in the shed blood of Jesus as the replacement sacrifice for repenting and being cleansed from a sin.
"
ex, what are you saying here?The blood of Jesus is not a replacement for repenatance.....are you sure you mean this as written?

 

[OttawaUk]

Exodus, that is what the Bible says about those who are in Christ. That is how God sees us.

We're still in the flesh, still tempted, still sinners, but when we die, that is how God will see us.

OU

 

[JediMobius]

How about the replacement of true christianity as opposed to it's decline? Word of Faith and the so-called Purpose-Driven churches claim to be engrossing more followers by the day. Another alternative is the "paradigm shift" *dramatic reverb*

I think the decline shows what's been happening all along, since the days the Israelites wouldn't listen to one of God's prophets, instead listening to whoever would tell them what they want to hear.