The entire bible assumes God's people are together in assemblies. As CS Lewis put it, "The Bible knows nothing of solitary religion." By NOT being part of a local congregation you violate this command:My husband and I do not attend "church". ACTS 17.24 "The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands;"
mkgal1, churches are so diverse and different in terms of the support they offer, so it's hard to generalize. If we are talking about why people who profess Christianity but don't go to church tend to divorce more often, I suspect physical abuse is probably not the main reason in terms of percentages of people who divorce. But that's just my guess based on my own set of life experiences.
I've never said they do. It's not one group against another.mkgal1,
Psychologists and counselors don't have all the answers, either.
Oh....and some examples of "Nominal Christianity"? How about movies like God is Not Dead and War Room? IMO....those are excellent examples of nominal Christianity (and they seem to be well-received in large numbers). For instance.... the entire movie of God is Not Dead suggests that if the two main characters (it's been a long time since I've seen it---I just remember the basic premise) would just have faith, things they ask for (like their car starting) will be granted them (really?). It's like God is presented just like a Genie in a Bottle. And in War Room.....when the two women were almost victims of a mugging, but they thwarted the mugger-- that had a knife-- with the words, "Put down the knife in Jesus' name" (I don't think I'm going to suggest that to my daughter as a self-defense tactic).
Exactly! There's a lot of music that's not branded as Christian that I can recognize a lot more of God's attributes in rather than what *is* branded as "Christian". Bono (U2) for instance.
Oh....and some examples of "Nominal Christianity"? How about movies like God is Not Dead and War Room? IMO....those are excellent examples of nominal Christianity (and they seem to be well-received in large numbers). For instance.... the entire movie of God is Not Dead suggests that if the two main characters (it's been a long time since I've seen it---I just remember the basic premise) would just have faith, things they ask for (like their car starting) will be granted them (really?). It's like God is presented just like a Genie in a Bottle. And in War Room.....when the two women were almost victims of a mugging, but they thwarted the mugger-- that had a knife-- with the words, "Put down the knife in Jesus' name" (I don't think I'm going to suggest that to my daughter as a self-defense tactic).
Kansas - LeftOverture has a bunch of biblical themes, starting with Carry On Wayward Son. Then there's Dust In the Wind, Questions of My Childhood...
I wouldn't be surprised if that were based on some kind of real incident. I've heard testimonies like that.
Well, yes, I'm sure there are loads of testimonies like that. In fact, I believe there's a whole page (or section of a web site....not sure) that's devoted to a lot of testimonies of our people experienced answered prayer *because* of setting up their "War Rooms" and "getting serious" about praying.
This is just my opinion---and maybe I'm extremely cynical--but that's just not my variety of Christianity. I know a few people that grew up with that flavor of faith---and they were let down (loss of homes....loss of jobs....loss of spouse to death....loss of child....etc) and since that was the only version of God they knew....they lost their faith in God in the process. We live in a fallen world---and I don't see it as probable that we're going to avoid awful things (not matter how hard or earnestly we pray). To me.....it's more about seeing good (which is all from God and His goodness) contrasted with the awful (and even finding some good IN the awful).
This is just my opinion---and maybe I'm extremely cynical--but that's just not my variety of Christianity. I know a few people that grew up with that flavor of faith---and they were let down (loss of homes....loss of jobs....loss of spouse to death....loss of child....etc) and since that was the only version of God they knew....they lost their faith in God in the process. We live in a fallen world---and I don't see it as probable that we're going to avoid awful things (no matter how hard or earnestly we pray). To me.....it's more about seeing good (which is all from God and His goodness) contrasted with the awful (and even finding some good IN the awful).
That type of Christianity, I believe, is an immature faith. Our church family just went through something VERY hard...one of our pastors was killed in a car accident. It's easy to pout and scream and wonder why the drunk kid who caused the accident didn't get killed when the pastor did...but...it's hard to do what we as a church are doing...embracing the young man and his family and offering them the love and forgiveness of Christ to them. So...maybe God is using this horrible situation to bring the young man and his family to Him. I pray this is so...and I will be rejoicing with the saints if they do come to Christ.
I don't believe that means what you think it means.What variety of Christianity is that? The variety that actually believes 'whatsoever ye ask in prayer believing, ye shall receive'?
What variety of Christianity is that? The variety that actually believes 'whatsoever ye ask in prayer believing, ye shall receive'?
Oh.....RPD....it needs to be a noble thing....you know, like peace within a denomination....or no divisions in churches (you know....the things that I'm certain have been fervently prayed for for millennium).
Link....have you never had a loved one (young and otherwise healthy---like a car accident) hanging on to life and had hundreds or thousands of people sincerely praying for them....yet they still passed away?
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