Posted on 06/09/2005 12:03:02 PM PDT by Rytwyng
Radio evangelist Chuck Baldwin, WorldNetDaily, and Whistleblower magazine have recently revisited findings by Christian opinion researcher George Barna that only 9% of born-again Christians have a Biblical perspective on life. The problem with Americas Christianity today is that, for the most part, it doesnt exist! Baldwin said, in a June 1 broadcast.
We should revisit these figures too. They first appeared in a Barna Update December 1, 2003: A Biblical Worldview Has a Radical Effect on a Persons Life.[1] Barna defined a Biblical worldview as belief in eight propositions:
Absolute moral truths exist. The Bible defines moral truth. Jesus Christ lived a sinless life. God is the all-powerful and all-knowing Creator of the universe, and He rules it today. Salvation is a gift from God and cannot be earned. Satan is real. Christians have a responsibility to share their faith in Christ with others. The Bible is accurate in all its teachings. What Does It Mean? Peoples views on morally acceptable behavior are deeply impacted by their worldview, Barna wrote.
In general, he found, people who do not have a Biblical worldview are much more likely than those who do have a Biblical worldview to condone or engage in immoral behavior: cohabitation, drunkenness, homosexual activity, adultery, profanity, voluntary exposure to pornography, abortion, and gambling. For example, those who held a non-Biblical worldview were 31 times more likely to accept cohabitation than the Biblically faithful.
Nondenominational Protestant churches yielded the highest percentage of persons with a Biblical worldview (13%), with Pentecostal churches next (10%), and Baptists third (8%). Mainline Protestant churches (2%) and Catholics (1%) brought up the rear.
The results are shocking! Baldwin said.
Given the prevalence of the non-Biblical worldview in a country in which 80% of the people call themselves Christians is it surprising that our entertainment industry cranks out smut? That our public schools teach moral relativism and hold workshops to teach children how to perform aberrant sex acts? That our politicians, judges, and business leaders arent much better?
Shocking, maybe. Distressing, to be sure. Thou Shalt Not Panic Lets not panic. As bad as these statistics are, we who do have a Biblical worldview know that Christ sits enthroned at the right hand of the Father. All power in heaven and earth is given to Him (Matt. 28:18). His enemies shall be made His footstool (Ps. 110:1; Acts 2:3435). Every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess Him Lord (Phil. 2:1011). That is the end to which God has directed all of history. That is the message of the whole Bible, from Genesis to Revelation.
Gods Word is about truth, not self-esteem. Rather than be demoralized by findings like Barnas, we should take them as indicators of where we are as a nation and where we need to go.
Acquiring a Biblical Worldview If America wanted to be a Godless nation, there would not have been such a decisive values vote in the 2004 election. Support for abortion would not be slipping in poll after poll. Eleven out of 11 states would not have amended their constitutions to block gay marriage. Mainline denominations would not be losing droves of members to Biblically faithful churches.
These are indications that more Americans would like to adopt a Biblical worldview. Speaking as someone who for much of his adult life did not have a Biblical outlook, my biggest problem was that I didnt know I had a problem.
How do you acquire a Biblical worldview?
Read the Bible every day, making it an indispensable part of your daily routine like getting dressed. Its good to read about the Bible, to take a Bible study course, and to listen to Bible teachers, but theres no substitute for the Bible itself. God will speak to you through His Scriptures if you listen. Get into the habit of measuring all things by how they stack up against the Scriptures. To be able to do that, you have to acquire the familiarity with the Bible that comes with daily reading. Dont ask, What would Jesus do? You dont know because youre not Jesus. Ask instead, What does the Bible say? This is the standard used by Jesus Himself and by His apostles (Rom. 4:3; Gal. 4:30). Strengthen your prayer life. Prayer is how you connect with God, person to Person. There is none righteous, no, not one (Rom. 3:10; Ps. 53:3); this means you, and everyone. We need Gods grace in our lives. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). No one else can pick us up when we stumble. No one else can help us to do better. Theres Hope Barna has reported one sign that more Americans are already trying to acquire a Biblical worldview. In an April 11, 2005 Barna Update, he found that 45% of adults in America read the Bible during a typical week a significant rise from the 31% measured in 1995, he reported.[2]
A level of 45% still means theres 55% left to go, and during a typical week can be improved to every day. Nevertheless, its progress the kind of progress that, in time, ought to mean changes in the more distressing figures.
Does TODAY's 'traditions' equal the 'traditions' that the Thessalonians were taught?
Where is: Reading the Bible, Worshipping God, celebrating the Eucharist, being charitable to the poor, loving your fellow man, avoding theft, avoiding murder, etc., etc., etc. in this too?
Things that are simple and obvious do not need to be endlessly repeated, except perhaps to you.
The subject of Baptism was not being debated in the Church as recorded in Acts 15. Rather, some felt you needed to also be circumcised.
They REALLY need your TITHE!!!
A few (?) million bucks paid out because of sin in their priestly ranks has seriously put a dent in parish life.
Nope.
Yeah, I thought of that too. The thought of my tithe going to pederasty payoffs... ugh... aaaghh... there are no words...
When did we switch subjects?
We are talking about "What is NEEDED" for salvation.
I'm not the one who uses a Rosary.
This list may be found in the traditional rules to guide our behavior, establish the liturgical worship, and govern the Christian society that were set down in the early Church.
Unfortunately for you, they are not merely written down in the Bible, so you will just have to take my word for it, as the Bible advises.
2 Thessalonians 2.12-14 "But we ought to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, beloved of God, for that God hath chosen you firstfruits unto salvation, in sanctification of the spirit and faith of the truth: Whereunto also he hath called you by our gospel, unto the purchasing of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast: and hold the traditions, which you have learned, whether by word or by our epistle."
This is why St. Paul says in Romans 10:13-17 "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? Or how shall they believe him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they be sent, as it is written: How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, of them that bring glad tidings of good things? But all do not obey the gospel. For Isaias saith: Lord, who hath believed our report? Faith then cometh by hearing; and hearing by the word of Christ."
Since you have never had the patience to hear and accept the teaching of the Catholic Church spread throughout the world, I suppose you certainly wouldn't have any idea what this list of everything Jesus commanded consisted of.
It certainly wouldn't be communicated by writing, since most of humanity has been illiterate from the time of Christ until now.
No it hasn't. We are rich beyond your wildest imaginations, which is why we are able to run so many charitable institutions, schools, hospitals, and parishes around the world.
We don't tithe in the Catholic Church. We are not in bondage to these sort of man-made obligations that you Protestants are.
traditions had to do with the Jewish traditions, since Christianity hadn't been around long enough yet to establish any "traditions."
Perhaps you could cut and paste the entire King James. It is really professional to bold and use different color fonts in order to emphasize those points you'd like to emphasize. Does your Bible have such helpful guides as this?
Or are these your own "sola scriptura" interpretations? Every man his own Pope. Must be kinda cool in a way. Unbiblical, but cool nonetheless. You're your own authority. Cool.
Suffice to say that I attempt to keep all the commandments necessary for growth in holiness and justification that Jesus Christ handed on to his apostles and they to their successors. My religion is more than 100 years old. In fact, Martin Luther and John Calvin would be aghast at what some of the fundies have turned "religion" into...
Sigh... Big sigh...
Again, read my lips. I'm not interested in exchanging Bible verses. Sacred Scripture is not self interpreting, and as a non-Catholic, I recognize your authority as zero regarding your interpretation of Sacred Scripture.
Oh?
So Christians needn't read the Bible, worship God, celebrate the Eucharist, be charitable to the poor, love their fellow man, not steal, not murder, etc., etc., etc., yet they can receive salvation all the same? The letter doesn't say Christians must accept Christ as their savior, believe any specific doctrine about Him, or any host of other things.
So since none of these things are listed as "needed for salvation" in this letter, one needn't do them, eh?
Christianity then is a purely negative religion which is held by all who do not (1) eat idol offerings, blood, or the meat of strangled animals and (2) are not sexually immoral?
News to me.
"I'm not the one who uses a Rosary"
Indeed. On my drive home tonight, I will pray to Jesus Christ through the intercession of his Blessed Mother, the Mother of God, as Martin Luther rightly acknowledged, for your conversion and for reparation to be made against the sacrilege, outrage, indifference and irreverence shown to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. I'm certain that your insults directed toward His Mother pleases Jesus Christ greatly.
Mary, Mediatrix of All Graces, Ora Pro Nobis!
"The thought of my tithe going to pederasty payoffs"
And the rate of divorce, contraception use, remarriage and pederasty in the Protestant ranks is what? Hmmm... Let me see... How about those Anglicans.
Oops, I know, you don't claim them either--just small seeker's churches so you can practice your newly-found Biblical exegesis on ignorant Catholics like us...
Pity us... Come to Sullivan's Island, SC July 20-23 if you want to see the return of masculine spirituality, coupled with Catholic triumphalism...
Tee hee hee... You don't even know we're taking over the Bible Belt...
I know you aren't. That's why you are not yet glorified and are neither a prophet nor a doctor.
That is why you make silly statements to the effect of if the Apostles in Acts 15 didn't mention baptism, it therefore voids every other mention of Baptism anywhere in the Bible as necessary for salvation.
More seriously:
And the rate of divorce, contraception use, remarriage and pederasty in the Protestant ranks is what? Hmmm... Let me see... How about those Anglicans.
And how about those Catholics? What percent follow church teaching on those matters? With whatsoever standard ye judge, ye shall be judged.
In point of fact, the small % who DO embrace a biblical worldview, DO have a MARKEDLY different behavior pattern. By their fruits shall ye know them:
Upon comparing the perspectives of those who have a biblical worldview with those who do not, the former group were 31 times less likely to accept cohabitation (2% versus 62%, respectively); 18 times less likely to endorse drunkenness (2% versus 36%); 15 times less likely to condone gay sex (2% versus 31%); 12 times less likely to accept profanity 3% versus 37%); and 11 times less likely to describe adultery as morally acceptable (4% versus 44%). In addition, less than one-half of one percent of those with a biblical worldview said voluntary exposure to pornography was morally acceptable (compared to 39% of other adults), and a similarly miniscule proportion endorsed abortion (compared to 46% of adults who lack a biblical worldview).
Among the more intriguing lifestyle differences were the lesser propensity for those with a biblical worldview to gamble (they were eight times less likely to buy lottery tickets and 17 times less likely to place bets); to get drunk (three times less likely); and to view pornography (two times less common). They were also twice as likely to have discussed spiritual matters with other people in the past month and twice as likely to have fasted for religious reasons during the preceding month. While one out of every eight adults who lack a biblical worldview had sexual relations with someone other than their spouse during the prior month, less than one out of every 100 individuals who have such a worldview had done so.
You bring up the pederasty thing, as if that is an argument against the Truth of the Catholic Faith, then you have the gall to accuse me of being sarcastic and petty...
Give it a rest. You want to play with the big dogs, then stop with your attacks on the Sacred Priesthood. All men are sinners, as you alluded in your private post. So why did you bring it up?
In logic, it is called the fallacy of "spoiling the well." Again, it is a fallacy.
>Yeah, I thought of that too. The thought of my tithe going to pederasty payoffs... ugh... aaaghh... there are no words...<
I have been told emphaticly by RC's on these threads that they don't tithe.Maybe that's one of those things that results when you are not in that small percentage of Catholics with a Christian world View.I know Baptist don't tithe if their World View is out of whack.
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