Tuesday 24 January 2023

Christianity in retreat

 

It grieves me to note that Christianity is in retreat, and there's very little our churches and their leaders are doing about it. Very often we see the Bible misinterpreted, behaviour that is un-Christian, and challenges and mocking at the very notion of the existence of God; and nothing is said by our elders for fear of upsetting people.

There are those who believe that the Old Testament is no longer relevant to today's modern society; and what was said then is no longer appropriate in a modern world.

Some believe that Jesus did not really mean it when He said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." It was all imagery, they say. God loves everybody. He even loves and forgives the devil.

Such interpretation of an "all loving" God is wrong and dangerous. Of course, God loves everybody. But this does not entitle those very same people whom God loves to turn their back on Him and not love Him back. They can't say, "I can do what I want because God will always love me anyway!" They can't interpret God's love to suit them and invent their own alternative gods, be they materialistic or spiritually un-Biblical.

Some voices, in some cases within the Church itself, do not believe in the virgin birth. Christ was not born through the Holy Spirit; they say. It was all a story by the Gospel writers to explain that He was blessed by God. 

Some Christians do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God, born of God; begotten not made, consubstantial to the Father, as we recite in the Credo. He is now considered by some as a teacher, a wise man, a blessed man; and not the Son of God. And some Churches allow this false belief and teaching.

Others, also within the Church, have hinted that the Resurrection is also imagery to explain that "we are all born again". It did not actually happen, but it is a story to explain that we are all put right with God as long as we are good in our life and the way we live.

The many teachings of Christ about Heaven, hell, marriage, divorce, sin and so on are being re-interpreted by a modern society to suit its selfish needs.

Slowly, but surely, such watered-down Christian teaching is permeating through society and the apparent silence from prominent Church leaders becomes yet another step in the march of retreat.

At a recent funeral I attended, someone at the lectern prayed, "I thank the Universe for the life of (the deceased)".

The priest left this un-challenged. He did not, (gently), explain that "the Universe" (whatever that is) had nothing to do with the life this individual led.

Humanity has always searched for a supreme power to explain its existence and its inadequacies. From earliest time people have worshipped the sun, fire, volcanoes and other man-made gods as they progressed in their quest for the one living Creator God we have come to know and worship.

Today, it seems we have gone full circle and some prefer to revert back to idolising nature, the Universe, Mother Earth, celebrities like musicians, sports personalities and the like, or even materialistic things not too dissimilar to the golden calf in the Old Testament.

They prefer to worship anything apart from the true living God Who created us all.

NOTE: If you agree with this article please invite others to read it here. Thank you.

23 comments:

  1. ...in my opinion, churches need to meet people where they are and be welcoming.

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  2. Over the centuries Christianity has overcome many issues. I'm confident that this will be one of them.

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  3. Church teachings from an early age might lessen crime today

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    1. I agree, we seem to be watering down the Christian message.

      God bless, Christine.

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  4. Dearest Victor,
    So very true! A sad moment in history...
    May God help us all for getting back on track.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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    1. As a human race, we certainly are off track right now. Prayers needed.

      God bless, Mariette and Pieter.

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  5. So true and very sad. Some people don't even know who God is. The first time someone told me they didn't believe in God, I was shocked.

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    1. Thank you for what you said, Bill. Yes - some people don't even know who God is. That is why I wrote the book on the right, and also "Searching for God". Often, what we write on our B logs would be the first time someone has heard about God. Difficult to believe but true.

      God bless you, Bill.

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  6. These 'people' sound exactly like those our church is trying to disaffiliate with. Already they blatantly ignore the Book of Discipline. I hate the strife which exists, but neither can I align myself with their 'new age' thought processes.

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    1. You've used the right words, "new age". There is a new trend in some churches that implies a more lax attitude to Christianity. The thought process goes like this: God is a loving God so He loves us all no matter what we do.

      Nowhere in The Bible have I found such teachings. Jesus warns time and again of the consequences of doing wrong and sinning against God's Commandments.

      I'll probably return to this subject in future.

      God bless you, Mevely. Thank you for your thoughts here. I am sorry you see divisions in your Church too.

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  7. Sorry to say you are right!!
    The Bible is God's Holy word. I wonder how many people actually have read it.

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    1. Not only is it not read; but many deliberately misinterpret the Bible.

      God bless, Happyone.

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  8. Yes, i agree, and it will get worse as the end draws near. Those who hold fast to the end will not lose their reward. We need to pray for all who are falling away.

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    1. Yes, I join you in prayers Mimi. Many are sleepwalking into hell.

      God bless.

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  9. Excellent post and I totally agree with you. It seems since the pandemic people have walked away - I know of someone, who used to say they were Christian - and now, both her husband and herself, are getting into Wicca. But they still have convinced themselves that they are still Christians. I see that a lot these days.

    The God of the Bible is the same as He always has been. We mere humans, are arrogant if we think God needs to be interpreted. All the different (new and improved) bible revisions and newer versions are dangerous and we get further away from His truth. Sadly, that is probably the whole idea of this. And not to leave out, Christian music. It used to glorify God and now, it's repetitive.

    We need to pray for our Christian Church.

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    1. Thank you Debby for your visit here and for taking the time to comment. Please call again soon and often.

      Indeed, I have noticed people moving away from Christianity and relying on new vogue religions. It seems to be the fashionable thing to do.

      God bless always.

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  10. We are in no place or position to waffle when it comes to God's Word, Victor. He has the final say, and final judgment, no matter what we think, or do, or say. We need to open our hearts and minds to the teaching of His Word, in both the Old and New Testaments, and stand up for the Way, the Truth, the Life, whenever we are challenged (and that's most of the time, sadly!)
    Blessings!

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    1. Yes indeed, Martha. Christianity is challenged all the time and it is up to us to stand up for the Word of God. That's why I keep this Blog going ...

      God bless you and yours.

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  11. So true Victor. As Matthew ch. 24 v.10 says 'Many shall fall away from the faith'. God bless.

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