Replies

I believe that the Lord drops hints to people who are following non-Christian religious systems. He sure did it with the magi or wise men. Sometimes those hints lead right to Him.

I believe (since I don’t get a lot of feedback I am not 100% sure, but the persons are certainly not complaining at my evangelistic encouragement messages) that I have witnessed a Hindu and his household come to Christ simply by focusing upon Him as the deity he and his family worships, in the wake of some very robust witnessing that was easy because the Lord was pouring blessings out upon it. It sure wasn’t a dry “believe this or go to hell.” I consider that mongo cool. Yes, there is the question of what “church” will be like in the wake of this, but if it catches on to others this family knows in India, that will be a kind of church. This is the very evangelical model — that the gospel itself will put people into the church by making them believers, no matter what they may actually think about other local or denominational churches.

It is only in what was formerly known as 'Christendom', where faith has grown flabby and is failing. I believe it is because God has already provided very well for all of our needs. Because it is our 'wants' that remain unfulfilled, 'prosperity' churches grow so much in the West and, so many have fallen away. Jesus never promised to provide our 'wants', only our needs, ofter through fellow believers. It is where there is oppression that the Gospel is spreading like wildfire. In general, we practice a very weak form of Christian faith in the West.

While it is natural to try to avoid pain and discomfort, God often asks us to live 'dangerously', stepping out in faith, holding on loosely to what he has given us. Not all Believers seem to accept that what they 'possess', is merely 'on loan' from the Creator of everything and everyone, that He may ask us to relinquish our claims on our 'stuff', for the benefit of His Kingdom.

I heard Nabeel Qureshi speaking of visiting Bethel Church in Redding, CA. This charismatic church apparently has the reputation of teaching the 'prosperity gospel', yet Nabeel saw none of that. In fact, he was amazed that there was a real sense expectation that God WOULD fullfil the prayers of His people. He found it very exciting versus the typical Evangelical churches he attends. Here is a link to his comments.