Hey, at least unlike Islamic cult, no one is going to hunt them down and kill them.
Christianity hasn’t failed. Churches have failed. Christianity is the hope of mankind ultimately being able to live in harmony.
One Sunday, our pastor Dr. Robert Marsh at First Baptist, Dothan, preached on Christ in the Old Testament.
It was truly surprising, maybe even amazing how many times it references or foretold the life and divinity of Jesus.
You tell them they’re welcome back when they’re ready.
In my experience, this is often the case of putting “hope” in a person instead of Christ. It is the difference between life in the physical (flesh) and that in the Spirit. Jesus is the cornerstone and the stumbling block: either accept Him and His path to Spiritual living, or stumble on the threshold of faith.
Not sure this helps - just the voice of experience.
We “Hope” this persons find the real source of Life before it is too late.
Trying to understand our lives through faith is not easy. There are so many unanswered questions or things that don’t make sense. But I attribute this to the fact that we simply can’t see the whole picture. We are incapable.
But know that there is something greater than ourselves that we are all part of. Something wonderful. And remember that it is the message that is important and not the messenger. There are many Christian leaders who are wrong or corrupted. Seems like it is impossible to find a leader who is not corrupted or corrupts the Word. So look for solace in prayer and reading the Bible for yourself and know that, at the core, the origins of the Christian faith (Christ) is self sacrifice and Love. Sacrifice and Love because there is something more.
Give them Mete Christianity. Follow that up with AGrief Observed
Then be kind
Gettin' closer every hour. We are witness to the 'falling away' and will soon be snatched away so the testing of the remaining can begin.
Tell them their is no ‘social’ in justice & no ‘social’ in forgiveness. We are judged as individuals & God will judge us, & forgive us, as individuals.
Israel & the US had a covenant, so maybe these will be judged as countries. Otherwise...it’s up to the individual to live a God-fearing - & loving - life.
I’d say look around you - 50 years ago Chrstianity was still a major influence in our national character; today as its influence wanes, we have free-fire zones in our cities, chaos in our schools, feces in our streets, rampant illegitimacy, social pathologies beyond description. The influence of Christ in our individual lives varies with our unique responses, but the influence of his teachings on society as a whole is hard to dismiss. We’re headed for a Brave New World, and it ain’t likely to be a pretty one.
Where will you be the day after your funeral?
Christianity a failed hope? No, it’s the only hope
If they say they had the faith and walked away then they didn’t have the love of Yeshua within them and accepted Him as their Lord and Savior.
Christianity failed? Only in a human mind, not in reality or in God’s plan. Many people walk away from it, many return to it but all still have the love of God right up to the end if they will just accept His love. Just don’t worship false idols like the many who abound today.
I’d ask them what they were hoping for? And take it from there.
How can there be no hope in the creator of heaven and earth, who sent his only son to die on the cross so we could have eternal life?
Give them a copy of “Mere Christianity” by C.S. Lewis.
AMF; YOYO
Such things are always personal, and I have struggled with my faith a million and one times.
I was probably in my late forties before I understood that the Gospel according to John was written nearly 2000 years ago for me...personally.
One of the most important themes of the Good News is hope never has to completely fail i.e. there is always hope as long as we are still breathing. I have suggested to people that when he or she is ready to take another run at it, It will be here waiting with open arms.
bump for later reading