What in the world is going on these days? Ramble-post?

[ViaCrucis]

I can't think where else to post this topic, so this seems like the most sensible. If a mods/admins think that it is a better fit elsewhere, firstly I apologize, and secondly thank you.

Also, this is not a very organized set of thoughts, so it's going to be very ramble-heavy.

So I've been exploring music recently. And not too long ago I had discovered the musician Derek Webb, formerly of Caedman's Call. I had come to really enjoy several of his songs, such as King and Kingdom,

Most recently I had been really enjoying his covers of Rich Mullin's Creed and Peace.

Only to discover that he had actually left Christianity several years ago after he had been unfaithful with his wife.

Now, I'm not shocked when I read of a Christian artist stumbling into sin, we're sinners. Of course what did bother me was that that rather than repentance and restoration--you know, grace--he fell away from faith altogether.

Now, I'm not trying to make this topic about Mr. Webb or his deconversion from Christianity.

Instead it led me to thinking about how there has been this something-or-other going on seeing lots of people walking away from the Church, away from the faith.

I find myself a bit shaken up. Perhaps because I've personally felt some soul-shakiness in recent months with my own emotional, mental, and spiritual struggles. But where de-converts like Webb (and others I suspect) speak of deconversion as a freeing, I keep smelling smoke and feeling the cold when that dark specter comes creeping.

But what I'm left finding myself asking is this: What the heck going on in the Church? I mean, if you had asked me this question just a couple months ago I'd offer the same kinds of answers I've always given over the years: Toxic churches, hypocrisy, worship-tainment, etc. And I know some will definitely make eschatological scare-words. But like, no really, what the heck is going on? As I don't want to engage in blaming others (it's easy to find scapegoats), I want to be more introspective.

Fundamentalism isn't the answer.
Progressive Christianity isn't the answer.
I know the only answer is going to be Jesus--just Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, and more Jesus.
We can't blame this denomination, or that denomination. It's not about Protestants, Catholics, Orthodox; it's not Mainline vs Evangelical. There's something that's hurting all of us, it's affecting all of our churches. Whether you consider yourself conservative, liberal, centrist. There's something going on, right?

How do we make it all about Jesus? No, really. Not just saying "it's all about Jesus", but really making this about Him. Because movements, revivals, whatevers ain't gonna mean anything.

This Body is hurting and she needs her Lord.

 

[LizaMarie]

I get what you are saying. There seems to be something that is happening with all branches of Christianity right now that is not good. And yes there are de-conversions and things happening such as The scandals with Ravi Zacharias, several Christian bloggers I used to follow have gone off the deep end or on tangents.
All I can say is attend Church, listen to the Gospel of Christ, receive the sacraments and pray.
Pray. That is what I have been doing.
I've increased my prayer life.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

.

 

[chevyontheriver]

I can't think where else to post this topic, so this seems like the most sensible. If a mods/admins think that it is a better fit elsewhere, firstly I apologize, and secondly thank you.

Also, this is not a very organized set of thoughts, so it's going to be very ramble-heavy.

So I've been exploring music recently. And not too long ago I had discovered the musician Derek Webb, formerly of Caedman's Call. I had come to really enjoy several of his songs, such as King and Kingdom,

Most recently I had been really enjoying his covers of Rich Mullin's Creed and Peace.

Only to discover that he had actually left Christianity several years ago after he had been unfaithful with his wife.

Now, I'm not shocked when I read of a Christian artist stumbling into sin, we're sinners. Of course what did bother me was that that rather than repentance and restoration--you know, grace--he fell away from faith altogether.

Now, I'm not trying to make this topic about Mr. Webb or his deconversion from Christianity.

Instead it led me to thinking about how there has been this something-or-other going on seeing lots of people walking away from the Church, away from the faith.

I find myself a bit shaken up. Perhaps because I've personally felt some soul-shakiness in recent months with my own emotional, mental, and spiritual struggles. But where de-converts like Webb (and others I suspect) speak of deconversion as a freeing, I keep smelling smoke and feeling the cold when that dark specter comes creeping.

But what I'm left finding myself asking is this: What the heck going on in the Church? I mean, if you had asked me this question just a couple months ago I'd offer the same kinds of answers I've always given over the years: Toxic churches, hypocrisy, worship-tainment, etc. And I know some will definitely make eschatological scare-words. But like, no really, what the heck is going on? As I don't want to engage in blaming others (it's easy to find scapegoats), I want to be more introspective.

Fundamentalism isn't the answer.
Progressive Christianity isn't the answer.
I know the only answer is going to be Jesus--just Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, and more Jesus.
We can't blame this denomination, or that denomination. It's not about Protestants, Catholics, Orthodox; it's not Mainline vs Evangelical. There's something that's hurting all of us, it's affecting all of our churches. Whether you consider yourself conservative, liberal, centrist. There's something going on, right?

How do we make it all about Jesus? No, really. Not just saying "it's all about Jesus", but really making this about Him. Because movements, revivals, whatevers ain't gonna mean anything.

This Body is hurting and she needs her Lord.

The smoke of Satan has entered the building. And there is considerable smoke damage already. What worries me is that when there is smoke there is fire. Think of the cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris as the appropriate metaphor. Something IS going on and it's bad.

The answer for us is Jesus. More Jesus. Hang on because it's gonna be a rough ride.

We're gonna think that Rich Mullins was blessed to be called home when he was. But we were born for these times. If only we can allow the Holy Spirit to focus us on Jesus. And maybe recognize the other friends of Jesus in our midst that we have been alienated from.

There will be a day when I go into the adoration chapel and it will be full up SRO at 2 AM. Not the more normal two or three people keeping their vigil. Then I will know that Elijah has returned and the days will be short. I just hope I can hang on until then. I know I'm not better than Derek Webb. Whose music, by the way, was exceptional. But for naught.

 

[Tigger45]

With today’s extremes in weather, politics, crime and economics amplified by agenda driven news channels, I think we eventually wear down and numb out undoubtedly effecting our spiritually. I think the answer is the simplicity of the Gospel. On a personal level reading scripture to just let it feed you by absorbing it with the heart and less critical theological thinking coupled with the same perspective for prayer. I also choose churches that don’t use the pulpit as the pastor’s/church’s soap box. I mean that for both sides of the political aisle of extreme left or right. The scripture that comes to mind is “ be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

 

[LizaMarie]

Yes. I've been attending 2 Bible studies a week even though I work and I'm tired. The small church I personally attend does not use the pulpit as the pastor/church's soap box, as Tigger said. I have so appreciated that in the last couple of years, through the pandemic and so forth. Our good pastor preaches Christ crucified and the gospel, and we have excellent theologically rich Bible studies.
I agree with that the extremes on both sides of the aisle have gotten depressing. I have quit watching cable news it just made me angry and stole my joy. I watch local news and get headlines from the internet to keep up with what is going on.
Yes Jesus, more Jesus and pray for Jesus to help keep us anchored though these tumultuous times.
Also I have been doing an inventory of my blessings that I have in this life, including the fact that I still live in peace and safety. There are so many others that do not have that these days.

 

[Joy]

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[timf]

To understand what can be done, one needs to understand what has happened and why. To this end consideration of Satan's hand in history is a good place to start.

http://christianpioneer.com/videos/ebooks/Satanic_history_of_the_world_v1.pdf

as web pages;

Christian Pioneer - Current blog

Satan has set the course of this world to advance collectivism presumably so that he can leverage his control of the world. Along the way he has been able to influence and even use churches to create a society no longer based on truth but feelings.

People (even Christians) who have lost a connection to truth are easily led into whatever direction Satan wants. It may be that when most of the whole world has become immune to truth, that God will bring in the last days.

The world (including churches) is headed towards a shipwreck. Individual Christians can keep their families from integration with the world and try to find others who can see the looming calamity and encourage each other.

 

[lismore]

Hello! I think this passage may be relevant:

2 Timothy 3:1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.

All the way on to:

2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

I think this passage speaks directly to our day, a culture obsessed with celebrity and worldly popularity, even in the church. The antidote is also in the passage:

2 Timothy 4: 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

God Bless

 

[JohnC101]

Praise be to God for all the blessings He has given us!

Matthew 22: 36-40 "Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

To my understanding, when we do something in the name of Christ, we do so with love to other people so that they can see and experience the love of God so that they can be saved. It's not Christ-like to point fingers.

May God bless your endeavors!

 

[Tuur]

I can't think where else to post this topic, so this seems like the most sensible. If a mods/admins think that it is a better fit elsewhere, firstly I apologize, and secondly thank you.

Also, this is not a very organized set of thoughts, so it's going to be very ramble-heavy.

So I've been exploring music recently. And not too long ago I had discovered the musician Derek Webb, formerly of Caedman's Call. I had come to really enjoy several of his songs, such as King and Kingdom,

Most recently I had been really enjoying his covers of Rich Mullin's Creed and Peace.

Only to discover that he had actually left Christianity several years ago after he had been unfaithful with his wife.

Now, I'm not shocked when I read of a Christian artist stumbling into sin, we're sinners. Of course what did bother me was that that rather than repentance and restoration--you know, grace--he fell away from faith altogether.

Now, I'm not trying to make this topic about Mr. Webb or his deconversion from Christianity.

Instead it led me to thinking about how there has been this something-or-other going on seeing lots of people walking away from the Church, away from the faith.

I find myself a bit shaken up. Perhaps because I've personally felt some soul-shakiness in recent months with my own emotional, mental, and spiritual struggles. But where de-converts like Webb (and others I suspect) speak of deconversion as a freeing, I keep smelling smoke and feeling the cold when that dark specter comes creeping.

But what I'm left finding myself asking is this: What the heck going on in the Church? I mean, if you had asked me this question just a couple months ago I'd offer the same kinds of answers I've always given over the years: Toxic churches, hypocrisy, worship-tainment, etc. And I know some will definitely make eschatological scare-words. But like, no really, what the heck is going on? As I don't want to engage in blaming others (it's easy to find scapegoats), I want to be more introspective.

Fundamentalism isn't the answer.
Progressive Christianity isn't the answer.
I know the only answer is going to be Jesus--just Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, and more Jesus.
We can't blame this denomination, or that denomination. It's not about Protestants, Catholics, Orthodox; it's not Mainline vs Evangelical. There's something that's hurting all of us, it's affecting all of our churches. Whether you consider yourself conservative, liberal, centrist. There's something going on, right?

How do we make it all about Jesus? No, really. Not just saying "it's all about Jesus", but really making this about Him. Because movements, revivals, whatevers ain't gonna mean anything.

This Body is hurting and she needs her Lord.

Walking away from a denomination is not the same as walking away from Christ. It often can be, but sometimes it's not. Walking away from Christ is something else entirely, and I don't have any good answers to that. We know it happened even in the early days of Christianity, and shouldn't be surprised when it happens now, and yet...

Well, it hurts, doesn't it. Hurts when thinking about the other person, hurts with a feeling of betrayal. Those who hold to Conditional Security say they fell from Grace; those who hold to Eternal Security say they were never saved to begin with. Either way, the results are the same.

You ask "How do we make it all about Jesus?" That's a good question. All too often we seek our own glory instead of God's. All I know is prayer.