The Dumbing Down of Christianity

[ezra]

The Dumbing Down of Christianity
https://churchleaders.com/outreach-...dumbing-down-of-christianity-ethan-renoe.html

 

[reba]

A sad Amen @ezea

 

[MustangGirl]

very sad but true. I saw that in my theology classes. Very shallow knowledge of the bible, no knowledge of the culture or the times (which is needed to help understand scripture), no knowledge of history. One of these days I'll finish those last 2 classes and get my degree.

 

[reba]

Jesus said this... Joh 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

so many well meaning folks, dont trust His very words..

 

[for_his_glory]

This is why the mysteries of what God spoke remains a mysteries to those who lack the deeper knowledge of God and stifles their growth. They have no witness or testimony of Christ in their own life and nothing to share with others other than an unexplained love of Christ.

Does not a Bride want to know everything they can about their Groom!!!

 

[Papa Zoom]

I would be interested in Jim Parker s thoughts on this. OzSpen as well. If they feel like making a comment.

It’s an important thread. Imo

 

[Jim Parker]

I would be interested in Jim Parker s thoughts on this. OzSpen as well. If they feel like making a comment.

It’s an important thread. Imo

Not every one is an apologist.
And, just as not everyone is capable of being an Olympic athlete, neither is everyone is capable of learning at the PhD level.

But anyone can respond to an aggressive atheist with a simple question like, "Why is it so important to you for me to agree with your beliefs?" or "Is it OK with you if I believe in God?"

But those responses are aimed at just bringing the assault to an end and not to accomplish anything of value.

While not everyone is able to open the scriptures like the apostle Paul (who have more than the equivalent of a ThD today), but everyone can apply the teachings of Jesus to their lives and be a "living gospel" by following the instructions of the Bible.
Like: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Mat 5:16)
Or , as St. Francis of Assisi said, "Preach the Gospel at all times; if necessary use words."

The emphasis on apologetics is, IMO, an error. Consider Paul's words at1Co 2:4-5 "... my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."
Paul didn't just preach the Gospel; he demonstrated it daily by his life.

That error is compounded by the false teaching that a Christian doesn't have to do anything other than believe. If I may quote a couple of well worn sayings, "People don't care how much you know; they want to know how much you care." and "Actions speak louder than words."

We are to be imitators of Christ. Everything He did for mankind was based in his love for mankind and His infinite mercy.

Christians aren't called to argue with atheists.

Christians are called to love atheists.

You can argue philosophy and religion til you're blue in the face of til kingdom come, (which ever comes first) but you cannot argue with love in action. It is what it is. (<---- period)

and that's my 2 kopecks.

iakov the fool

 

[Papa Zoom]

Not every one is an apologist.
And, just as not everyone is capable of being an Olympic athlete, neither is everyone is capable of learning at the PhD level.

But anyone can respond to an aggressive atheist with a simple question like, "Why is it so important to you for me to agree with your beliefs?" or "Is it OK with you if I believe in God?"

But those responses are aimed at just bringing the assault to an end and not to accomplish anything of value.

While not everyone is able to open the scriptures like the apostle Paul (who have more than the equivalent of a ThD today), but everyone can apply the teachings of Jesus to their lives and be a "living gospel" by following the instructions of the Bible.
Like: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."(Mat 5:16)
Or , as St. Francis of Assisi said, "Preach the Gospel at all times; if necessary use words."

The emphasis on apologetics is, IMO, an error. Consider Paul's words at1Co 2:4-5 "... my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."
Paul didn't just preach the Gospel; he demonstrated it daily by his life.

That error is compounded by the false teaching that a Christian doesn't have to do anything other than believe. If I may quote a couple of well worn sayings, "People don't care how much you know; they want to know how much you care." and "Actions speak louder than words."

We are to be imitators of Christ. Everything He did for mankind was based in his love for mankind and His infinite mercy.

Christians aren't called to argue with atheists.

Christians are called to love atheists.

You can argue philosophy and religion til you're blue in the face of til kingdom come, (which ever comes first) but you cannot argue with love in action. It is what it is. (<---- period)

and that's my 2 kopecks.

iakov the fool

Thanks. I would say that we all need to be somewhat versed in apologetics (defending what and why we believe) and there are simple things one can do (for example, asking the right questions).

But as you point out, it's not about winning arguments. It's about winning hearts and minds. This is done by being the living gospel. And the foundation is love. The kind of love that emanates from the very heart of God.

 

[OzSpen]

I would be interested in Jim Parker s thoughts on this. OzSpen as well. If they feel like making a comment.

It’s an important thread. Imo

Papa,

I'll have to respond later. On this Easter Sunday it is time for a shower, shave and breakfast before heading off to church. Then to lunch with caring friends who invited me to their place.


Oz

 

[for_his_glory]

2 Timothy 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

 

[reba]

How quickly a thread about the dumbing down of Christianity ... goes to the idea of some one wanting to win an argument
from the article

We have replaced rich, robust theology in the church with emotional music and constant reminders that “God is love and loves you and He’s your personal Savior and loves your soul…” These words are great at bringing outsiders through the doors (because they’re true by and large) but poor at growing believers into mature witnesses with rich understanding of the deep things of God.

Just as a marriage cannot be sustained by the tumble of infatuation, a life of faith cannot be sustained by passionate emotion. Yes, it may be a wonderful (and necessary) entryway, but without depth of knowledge and understanding, it will be “blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming” (Ephesians 4:14).

 

[Papa Zoom]

Papa,

I'll have to respond later. On this Easter Sunday it is time for a shower, shave and breakfast before heading off to church. Then to lunch with caring friends who invited me to their place.

View attachment 5713
Oz

 

[Kidron]

God is not interested in how smart you are or how smart you think you are, and in fact, knowledge "doth make one mad", so be careful how full you stuff your head.
GOD is only interested in how available you are and how committed you remain to the truth and to being obedient.
Get that right, ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ and you Christianity is bullet proof.

The reality is, because men will never be completely empty of pride, and as the wisdom of man is foolishness to God, the fact is, Theologians are responsible for the worst form of confusion that has ever darkened Real Christianity (Protestant) and kept it dark this last 100 yrs....and this is > = "too many new versions of the Bible",< and none of them seem to accurately match each other in doctrine or words.
Let me ask you.......What could be more confused then 1500 people sitting in church every Sunday, and there are 300 different bible versions being used in the congregation , and the one the Minister, Preacher, Pastor, Teacher, is using, doesn't match the other 299 versions in word, theology, doctrine, or verses?
This is the catastrophe of modern Christianity, and Satan is so happy about this, you can hear him LAUGHING.
Absolutely., and why shouldn't he, as he caused it.
And exactly why do you have 300 Bibles, ???? and most of them water down doctrines or remove them completely.....
Its because the PRIDE of the THEOLOGIAN concludes that because they have more degrees then a thermometer, this elevates them into a self realized false position of faux-authority to be a BIBLE CORRECTOR, and so, they create one that SUITS their belief system just in time for Easter or Christmas at your local Bible Book Store.
Money Money Money Money Money.....is of course the other reason you have SO .....MANY........FAULTY......"VERSIONS".
This DEED, is the error of the FOOL, and there are thousands upon thousand of them writing books and teaching in Seminaries.



Happy Easter.
Jesus IS Risen.



<K><

 

[UberMink]

 

[stovebolts]

The Dumbing Down of Christianity
https://churchleaders.com/outreach-...dumbing-down-of-christianity-ethan-renoe.html

That was a good article.
I keep hearing about these churches, but I've yet to go to one.

Where I attend, we use no musical instruments and only a handful of hymns get me emotional. You will rarely, if ever see an arm raised in praise and on occasion, perhaps 3, may be 4 people might clap to a song.

We have deep bible studies for an hour before church service. When I teach. I hand out homework. Sunday night our preacher digs deeper into his lesson. Wednesday, we have a 15 minute worship, and a 45 mi ute bible study.

I guess the church of Christ isn't as bad as people say.... we get beat on a lot and falsely accused of works based salvation continually.

 

[Jim Parker]

and most of them water down doctrines or remove them completely.....

You've read all 300 versions and found trhis to be true?
Plwease give a couple of examples where versions watered down or removed doctrine.

ts because the PRIDE of the THEOLOGIAN concludes that because they have more degrees then a thermometer, this elevates them into a self realized false position of faux-authority to be a BIBLE CORRECTOR, and so, they create one that SUITS their belief system just in time for Easter or Christmas at your local Bible Book Store.

Which versions are those?

 

[Jim Parker]

That was a good article.
I keep hearing about these churches, but I've yet to go to one.
Where I attend, we use no musical instruments and only a handful of hymns get me emotional. You will rarely, if ever see an arm raised in praise and on occasion, perhaps 3, may be 4 people might clap to a song.
We have deep bible studies for an hour before church service. When I teach. I hand out homework. Sunday night our preacher digs deeper into his lesson. Wednesday, we have a 15 minute worship, and a 45 mi ute bible study.
I guess the church of Christ isn't as bad as people say.... we get beat on a lot and falsely accused of works based salvation continually.

So does your church also feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the stranger, visit the prisoner and the sick or does it support ministries that do so and encourage the congregation to do so?
If not, then all the deep Bible studies in the world won't make any difference at the judgment because Jesus isn't going to give us a Bible knowledge exam.
He's going to judge you and me and every other human being that ever lived by our works, not by our Bible knowledge.

Selah

iakov the fool

 

[ezra]

That was a good article.
I keep hearing about these churches, but I've yet to go to one.

Where I attend, we use no musical instruments and only a handful of hymns get me emotional. You will rarely, if ever see an arm raised in praise and on occasion, perhaps 3, may be 4 people might clap to a song.

We have deep bible studies for an hour before church service. When I teach. I hand out homework. Sunday night our preacher digs deeper into his lesson. Wednesday, we have a 15 minute worship, and a 45 mi ute bible study.

I guess the church of Christ isn't as bad as people say.... we get beat on a lot and falsely accused of works based salvation continually.

i am not a big fan of church of Christ .i have listened to several of the ministers in coc .they all say they are the true n.t church.. a person can be coc and be saved that is not my issue. there is nothing wrong with musical instruments clasping shouting what ever be of the spirit. i have yet to attend one of the churches either . but they are there GOD chose through the preaching of the word to save the lost .
many churches many pastor get the idea they ate the only one will make it. the old saying if everyone in this church was just like me. what kind of church would this be? my son first teacher was church of Christ. grade school he asked kids in class out loud who wanted get save. she put the desk together kids prayed.. i had deep respect for her... saying all this i was raised UMC not my cup of tea..but i went back Christmas eve new years eve and preached Jesus . i dont preach against denoms the name tag will either fall off going up or burn off going down...the new age movement has been filtering into the Body of Christ for years.... Jesus said let no man device you .. read the Bible i like a crisp spirit filled service my self..

 

[ezra]

wow another thread gone viral is there anything we can agree with ?

 

[stovebolts]

So does your church also feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the stranger, visit the prisoner and the sick or does it support ministries that do so and encourage the congregation to do so?
If not, then all the deep Bible studies in the world won't make any difference at the judgment because Jesus isn't going to give us a Bible knowledge exam.
He's going to judge you and me and every other human being that ever lived by our works, not by our Bible knowledge.

Selah

iakov the fool

Yes, we have a weekly soup kitchen and work closely with the Michigan food bank
We gave Love Inc a piece of or property and a house. We work close with them to help those in need.
I was involved in prison ministries, and for a while FAN, families against narcotics.
One of our ministries is called Christian's in action. We've helped roof houses etc.
For several years. We put on a carnival for the community. We averaged over 1,200 visitors. We gave away prizes, fed them and had lots of games.
I'm not saying this to brag. Were not perfect, and we have our issues, but we are family, and we are very giving.

Each Wednesday, we take up a cup of blessings. A different member each week takes this collection and finds somebody in need, and gives it to them.