[Lexinom]

As for the services themselves, Lakewood makes sure to put on a grand show. It has a 12-piece stage band, a lighting designer to set the mood and three large projection screens. The technology will be even more spectacular when it moves into its new home in the former Houston Rockets' stadium "We really want it to feel like a concert," says Duncan Dodds, Lakewood's executive director. Something is working: Church attendance has grown from 6,000 in 1999 when Osteen became pastor to 25,060 today.

This, and not the liberals, is probably the biggest reason our society has degenerated so much in the last 100 years. God is no longer feared. The purpose of these churches is to "put on a show" rather than worship the Holy One of Israel. Can you imagine Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, or John Calvin preaching in one of these congregations? How many of us even know who these men were today, and the prominent roles they played in shaping American culture?

Our Lord said, "Strive to enter into the narrow gate", for the broad path leads to destruction. God is not your buddy. He is a consuming fire, and an awful, irreprehensible, and righteous Judge. At least in my Bible...

Every single problem we discuss here on FR can without exception be traced back to society's myopic view of God, regardless of denomination.

[LearnsFromMistakes]

This, and not the liberals...

If by 'this', you mean christians looking for any reason to speak ill of other christians, even to the point of taking the worlds word for what is going on, then we are in agreement.

[Zack Nguyen]

Every single problem we discuss here on FR can without exception be traced back to society's myopic view of God, regardless of denomination.

Fascinating statement. I agree. Nearly all political and social problems are fundmentally theological in nature.

[ladyinred]

I know who they are, but then I studied Church History in a Bible College. But you might be correct that many in Churches today have no idea who these pioneers of Church history are.,

[c-b 1]

This, and not the liberals, is probably the biggest reason our society has degenerated so much in the last 100 years. God is no longer feared.

That is a fact!

The purpose of these churches is to "put on a show" rather than worship the Holy One of Israel. Can you imagine Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, or John Calvin preaching in one of these congregations?

NO! They would be told to leave.

How many of us even know who these men were today, and the prominent roles they played in shaping American culture?

Not nearly enough.

Our Lord said, "Strive to enter into the narrow gate", for the broad path leads to destruction. God is not your buddy. He is a consuming fire, and an awful, irreprehensible, and righteous Judge. At least in my Bible...

That too is a fact!

Every single problem we discuss here on FR can without exception be traced back to society's myopic view of God, regardless of denomination.

Another truth!

I have visited some smaller versions of the Mega Churches who follow the example of Saddleback Church. I will not be going back, when I have to wear ear plugs because of the volume of the music something is wrong. In my opinion a preacher wearing a Hawian shirt is disrespectful. The loud music, the words of the songs projected on screens, and a number of other things are major distractions. The issues we discuss here on Free Republic were never mentioned, however I did hear, "the way of the world."

[webstersII]

"The purpose of these churches is to "put on a show" rather than worship the Holy One of Israel. "

You call the stuff that goes on in most mainline denominational churches today is worship? Dressing up in suit and tie and singing a few hymns that contradict the Scriptures is hardly worshipful.

[allthingsnew]

Opening line of Calvin's Institutes: "Our wisdom, in so far as it ought to be deemed true and solid Wisdom, consists almost entirely of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves."