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The coming evangelical collapse (Whats up with this?)
Christian Science Monitor ^ | March 10, 2009 | Michael Spencer

Posted on 03/10/2009 4:02:24 AM PDT by dalight

Oneida, Ky. - We are on the verge – within 10 years – of a major collapse of evangelical Christianity. This breakdown will follow the deterioration of the mainline Protestant world and it will fundamentally alter the religious and cultural environment in the West.

Within two generations, evangelicalism will be a house deserted of half its occupants. (Between 25 and 35 percent of Americans today are Evangelicals.) In the "Protestant" 20th century, Evangelicals flourished. But they will soon be living in a very secular and religiously antagonistic 21st century.

This collapse will herald the arrival of an anti-Christian chapter of the post-Christian West. Intolerance of Christianity will rise to levels many of us have not believed possible in our lifetimes, and public policy will become hostile toward evangelical Christianity, seeing it as the opponent of the common good.

(Excerpt) Read more at csmonitor.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bho44; christendom; evangelical; evangelicals; religiousleft
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I just don't get it. Perhaps someone can explain this. Is there any possibility that this fool isn't just pitching this as wishful thinking.
1 posted on 03/10/2009 4:02:25 AM PDT by dalight
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To: dalight

I’m just guessing here, but based on what I’ve heard of their ideology, the “Christian Science” Monitor is mis-named for the first two thirds of their name.


2 posted on 03/10/2009 4:09:01 AM PDT by Hardastarboard (The Fairness Doctrine isn't about "Fairness" - it's about Doctrine.)
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To: dalight

I’m thinking the exact opposite: America will experience another Christian revival - we get those every 50-100 years or so - and the Marxists and communists will be ostracized and pushed into the big liberal cities and eventually move to the friendly shores of North Korea where they can worship Dear Leader and eat tree bark.


3 posted on 03/10/2009 4:12:06 AM PDT by sergeantdave (obuma is the anti-Lincoln, trying to re-establish slavery)
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To: dalight

Wow! Now this is something I would like to see!!! Not...

I seriously doubt this kind of thing will ever happen...

Guess I’ll have to read this again to get an idea if this article is designed to inflame, make insane, or just drive people into a ditch...I haven’t figured it out just yet...

So far I am “coo-coo” for coco-puffs...


4 posted on 03/10/2009 4:15:03 AM PDT by stevie_d_64
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To: dalight

“he considers himself a postevangelical reformation Christian in search of a Jesus-shaped spirituality.”

______________________________

I’m sorry. But you have to leaugh at how many adjectives the guy takes to describe himself.

And yes....he is obviously wishing the whole evangelical “movement” becomes enlightened...like him.


5 posted on 03/10/2009 4:16:14 AM PDT by 1curiousmind (OBAMANTICIPOINTMENT is palpable)
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To: dalight

Rapture.


6 posted on 03/10/2009 4:17:35 AM PDT by ScoochDude
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To: dalight

From My experience (In Australia) most Evangelical Protestant Churches are neither Evangelical or Protestant.

The people in control of many of these churches are Liberal and many do not hold a faith that is consistent with the Bible. There are of course individual churches who still carry the flag - they tend to be in country areas or in new suburbs where the pastor has been actively involved in promoting the Gospel to the unchurched.

Most of the Inner City prestigious churches are gone because these are considered desireable by Liberals as a good career move.

Mel


7 posted on 03/10/2009 4:20:27 AM PDT by melsec (A Proud Aussie)
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To: 1curiousmind
... a postevangelical reformation Christian in search of a Jesus-shaped spirituality

But "barking moonbat" takes fewer keystrokes!

8 posted on 03/10/2009 4:21:14 AM PDT by Tax-chick ("There are more enjoyable ways of going to Hell." ~ St. Bernard)
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To: dalight
This is enemy propaganda... google Tokyo Rose and listen to her recordings... same thing!

LLS

9 posted on 03/10/2009 4:22:59 AM PDT by LibLieSlayer (hussein will NEVER be my President... NEVER!!!)
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To: dalight
Political evangelical Christianity has not digested, and probably does not believe, John 15:18-19.

I love Evangelical Christians. The nation and the world would be a better place if they were running it.

But, as this author correctly points out, we are entering into a period where the world's hatred of the Lord becomes manifest and wherein ravening wolves throw off their sheep's clothing.

Many Evangelical children are taught that the outward trappings of Christianity will do them some good in this world. When they discover that precisely the opposite is true - that the world hates them because of Jesus - then the question is, does their form of religious upbringing give them a shield, or does it leave them defenseless?

I'm deeply involved in a small Christian school, and I'm very familiar with the issues this author raises. He's asking some good questions.

10 posted on 03/10/2009 4:31:31 AM PDT by Jim Noble (They are willing to kill for socialism...but not to die for it.)
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To: dalight

I didn’t read the whole thing, but Anti-Christian sentiment and real persecution, predicted in Scripture, will drive the Christian-in-name-only out of the flock. Jews and real Christians will then be sought out and persecuted as the cause for all the wrongs and evils of society. There is no reason to doubt this and I predict in 5 years (give or take a couple) it will become almost intolerable to speak the Name of Christ openly. Most authentic churches will be going underground mostly. I pray I am wrong, that America will trun around, but I fear I am not wrong.


11 posted on 03/10/2009 4:34:42 AM PDT by Shery (in APO Land)
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To: dalight

I predict revival along with litmus testing and reprimanding, maybe even purging, of the apostates.


12 posted on 03/10/2009 4:40:47 AM PDT by polymuser (Wake up, America!)
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To: All

Aside from the scriptures mentioning a great falling away this outlook logically makes sense. Many evangelicals are flocking to nondenominational “feel good” coffee, jeans and Jesus churches. Others are simply leaving the church or dying off. Modern culture puts evangelicals on the same shelf as Republicans, old school, out of style, intolerant and simply not cool. The media and plethora of corrupt preachers have helped to accelerate the evangelical falling away.

Islam and New Age cults are growing in numbers but the evangelical era is dead until after the Second Coming.

Mike

FWIW I’m the son of a Baptist minister, I wish my outlook was wrong but I’m afraid it’s accurate.


13 posted on 03/10/2009 4:42:13 AM PDT by TSgt (Extreme vitriol and rancorous replies served daily. - Mike W USAF)
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To: dalight

He seems to be talking about trends and that from a secular perspective.

Mostly, he’s a clueless idiot about the topic.

1. It will be worse much sooner but for a much briefer period than he seems to have any understanding of.

2. Christians will essentially be outlawed the world over. The Bible is pretty clear about that in the time of THE GREAT TRIBULATION.

3. THE GREAT TRIBULATION will last 7 years with the worst of it the last half—3.5 years. The Bible’s pretty clear about that.

4. It remains to be seen what sort of “Christians” will be here or what part(s) of THE GREAT TRIBULATION.

5. Regardless, ONCE IT’S OVER ALL THE EVIL DOERS ALL OVER THE PLANET WILL BE UTTERLY WIPED AWAY. EVEN THE EVIDENCE OF THEIR EXISTENCE WILL BE GONE TO LARGELY GONE.

6. At that point, there will no longer be RC’s, Evangelicals, Pentecostals—ALL WILL KNOW THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE LORD FIRMLY IMPLANTED BY GOD ALMIGHTY IN THEIR HEARTS—INTO THE VERY FIBER OF THEIR BEING.

7. BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD.


14 posted on 03/10/2009 4:42:33 AM PDT by Quix (POL Ldrs quotes fm1900 2 presnt: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/2130557/posts?page=81#81)
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To: MikeWUSAF

The Church is growing according to God’s plan.


15 posted on 03/10/2009 4:44:51 AM PDT by Cedric
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To: dalight

What does he the “coming evangelical collapse?” It’s already happened and it started 40 years ago.


16 posted on 03/10/2009 4:59:38 AM PDT by pctech
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To: Shery

Do you believe this is the expected end-of-time scenario in preparation for the Anti-Christ, or, should we believe that these times were predictable as the spirit of the Anti-Christ seems to be in control already. If that is true, then the Second Appearance of Christ is close at hand. Unfortunately, the circumstances continue to be put into place to persecute Christians as never before. It is too interesting that Christians are the main target of the God-haters. The persecutors do not feel the same hatred for other religions.


17 posted on 03/10/2009 4:59:43 AM PDT by jazzlite (esat)
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Comment #18 Removed by Moderator

To: Quix

You know, while I agree with most of what you said, you lost me in your 2nd sentence when you typed “he’s a clueless idiot.” If you’re going to debate this kind of issue, the personal insults don’t lend very much credibility to your argument. State your opinion, but leave the pesonal stabs out, you’ll be more legitimate if you do.


19 posted on 03/10/2009 5:02:50 AM PDT by pctech
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To: melsec

I fear Liberation theology within the Christian churches.

Too much political activism trying to bring justice to the poor by bashing capitalism and emphazing class war by the rich against the poor.


20 posted on 03/10/2009 5:05:32 AM PDT by Le Chien Rouge
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