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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 America’s Christianity today is that, for the most part, it doesn’t 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 Person’s 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? “People’s 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 aren’t much better?
Shocking, maybe. Distressing, to be sure. Thou Shalt Not Panic Let’s 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 2:34–35). Every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess Him Lord (Phil. 2:10–11). That is the end to which God has directed all of history. That is the message of the whole Bible, from Genesis to Revelation.
God’s Word is about truth, not self-esteem. Rather than be demoralized by findings like Barna’s, 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 didn’t 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. It’s good to read about the Bible, to take a Bible study course, and to listen to Bible teachers, but there’s 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. Don’t ask, “What would Jesus do?” You don’t know because you’re 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 God’s 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. There’s 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 there’s 55% left to go, and “during a typical week” can be improved to “every day.” Nevertheless, it’s progress — the kind of progress that, in time, ought to mean changes in the more distressing figures.
B'Shem Y'shua
CI>No, because it wasn't written yet.
So;If you want to follow Y'shua you would quote from the same scriptures as He did.
The Tanach
"We also know that Y'shua spoke Greek as his quotations were always from the Septuagint version of the Tanach"
NO, we don't know that! You are presuming that because the Bible was written in Greek (NT), that Jesus spoke the same language, but that argument doesn't follow. His words as written in the Gospels are not necessarily verbatim His quotes in Greek, but the authors writing His words translated into Greek.
"Whether Y'shua spoke Aramaic is questionable as it's only requirement is to support the "rock"/ "peter" myth"
That's ridiculous. Jesus also spoke in Aramaic in other portions of the Gospel, such as "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me". Also, in John's Gospel, the cure of the deaf man - "be opened", also in Aramaic. Your anti-catholic bias is showing through.
Just because the Bible was written in Greek doesn't mean that JESUS SPOKE in Greek!
Regards
Then I suppose you find Jesus' Transfiguration experience a scandalous affair?
No...
Should I??
Ummmm ... no we aren't.
BTW, we're not in bondage.
If you preach salvation by man made rules, you are in bondage.
It's God's money, we're just returning some of what He's loaned us.
God is not a banker. Money is an invention of man for purposes of commerce.
God also has no need of money, being God. Giving money to a Church is not "giving money to God". Its giving money to a Church, and more specifically, to the control of the Pastor or Bishop. If the same brainwash you to convince you that you are really giving money "to God" when you put it in their offering plate, I'd like to clarify your understanding by asking you to check on who is depositing and spending the money. Hint. It ain't the Lord Jesus.
Second, God has not "loaned us" the material things of the earth. We are not in debt to Him by our existence, nor are our possession deeded over by promissory note to the Almighty. God created us to crown the material world and tend it. The material things of earth were created to benefit all mankind. We are stewards of them for our fellow human beings, not God. God has no personal need of these things.
Christ, for example, in counseling perfection to the rich young man, did not say, "sell all you have and give it to God" and he did not say "sell all you have and give it to the Temple and the Priests". He said "sell all you have and give it to the poor."
Christ did, in His lifetime, pay the Temple tax. He gave us an example that we should support His ministers to the requirements of their need. This need is certainly less than 10% of the salary of every Church member.
It is very questionable that families earning $50,000 per year need to give $5,000 to a Church being run by several ministers making in excess of $100,000 per year. The gift is not in line with the means of the giver, and the receiver is taking in excess of what he needs. This is, however, a typical situation in Protestant churches.
This must REALLY come as a surprise to the Jews!!
We are not Jews. Christ rejected their add-on written down, made-up traditions of men. See St. Matthew 15 and 23.
The Bible is not a Talisman that has the complete list of the laws to be followed, etc., etc. Surely you've read Romans and Galatians on this point of Christian liberty and freedom from the law?
If your ORAL 'tradition is NOT 'written down', then it is VERY capable of being corrupted, just as the OT writings prove.
On the contrary, writing down the oral tradition is the first step in corrupting it. The second step is translating it.
The Christian faith is something that is lived, not written down in a Holy Book. In living it, we join in the chain of experience of the ages in participating in the rites and mores of a large transnational and transgenerational community. We know we are off the rails on the wrong track when we go against this edifice of ecclesial experience. Which is what makes the Protestant revolt so laughable.
The purchase of indulgences by almsgiving was entirely voluntary, unlike tithing. No one was under a compulsion to give alms to rebuild St. Peter's.
Still not answering the question. The letter does not require Christians to have faith or worship God. Must a Christian do these things for salvation?
Then I suppose you find Jesus' Transfiguration experience a scandalous affair?
No...
Should I??
If you are consistent with your previous answers regarding those who are dead, yet, are able to view us on earth, then yes... Last I remember, Moses and Elijah were "dead" when Christ was transfigured. And there they were...Desite your quotes from the OT regarding sorcery and conversing with the dead.
Regards
yes
Matthew 17 1. After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 4. Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters--one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." 5. While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" 6. When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7. But Jesus came and touched them. "Get up," he said. "Don't be afraid." 8. When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. 9. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, "Don't tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead." 10. The disciples asked him, "Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?" 11. Jesus replied, "To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. 12. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands." 13. Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist. |
Mark 9
1. And he said to them, "I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."
2. After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5. Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters--one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." 6. (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) 7. Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!" 8. Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. 9. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10. They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what "rising from the dead" meant. 11. And they asked him, "Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?" 12. Jesus replied, "To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? 13. But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him." |
Luke 9:28-36 28. About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. 29. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 30. Two men, Moses and Elijah, 31. appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. 32. Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33. As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, "Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters--one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." (He did not know what he was saying.) 34. While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35. A voice came from the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him." 36. When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves, and told no one at that time what they had seen. |
2 Corinthians 121. I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.
2. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know--God knows.
3. And I know that this man--whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows--
4. was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell.
5. I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.
NIV Ecclesiastes 9:4-5
4. Anyone who is among the living has hope --even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!
5. For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even the memory of them is forgotten.
NIV Matthew 22:30-32
30. At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.
31. But about the resurrection of the dead--have you not read what God said to you,
32. `I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob' ? He is not the God of the dead but of the living."NIV Mark 12:25-27
25. When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.
26. Now about the dead rising--have you not read in the book of Moses, in the account of the bush, how God said to him, `I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob' ?
27. He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!"NIV Luke 20:33-38
33. Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?"
34. Jesus replied, "The people of this age marry and are given in marriage.
35. But those who are considered worthy of taking part in that age and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage,
36. and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God's children, since they are children of the resurrection.
37. But in the account of the bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord `the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.'
38. He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive."NIV 2 Timothy 4:1-2
1. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:
2. Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction.
NIV 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
13. Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.
14. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
15. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.
16. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
17. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
Well, perhaps there are other things required that also are not mentioned expressly there, but certainly are elsewhere. Say like abstaining from murder and theft, or being baptized.
Elsie,
I do not believe in reincarnation. You are comparing apples and oranges regarding Paul's experience. The word "appear" does not mean that the event didn't take place. Jesus "appeared" to the disciples after the Crucifixion. Are you saying that the disciples imagined Christ's post-resurrection "appearances"?
The fact of the matter remains that God is the God of the living, not the dead, as Jesus told the Sadducces when relating the story of the rich man and Lazarus. If God is the God of Jacob, Isaac and Abraham, and He is the God of the living, then these patriarchs are still alive in some manner. The same goes true for Moses and Elijah.
Elijah had "come" refers to the prophesy that a great prophet would procede the Messiah, not that Elijah in person would come again.
I am going on vacation for a week, so I won't be able to respond to you until next week. Take care,
Regards
Yes, during my pro-life activist days, there were plenty of Catholics with us at the pickets -- or, we were with them, however you look at it. One doesn't get into deep theological discussions at a rescue, however.
....and Hispanic rights
Some of that sounds a lot like treason at times. Particularly in light of Magin Catala's prophecies regarding California.
You probably don't see Catholic missions very much unless you happen to live in a third world country.
That's what I meant by, "the Catholic gospel is invisible" -- here, anyways. Like I said, it's the Evangelicals blanketing the airwaves (there's almost no place you can go that doesn't have an Evangelical radio station in range), it's the Evangelicals doing street and campus preaching, etc.
Catholics (as far as I can see) aren't doing any of this, at least not around here. Why? Surely the Catholic Church has the resources to do it. Could it be, instead, that they regard this as "fully evangelized" territory? If so, they're terribly mistaken. A nation that aborts 47 million children is not fully evangelized by any stretch of the imagination -- surely on this, if nothing else, Evangelicals and Catholics can agree.
Well, I actually don't come from a family like that, so I don't know how that denial dynamic works. However, that's a minor issue.
In this sue-happy society, it seems more important to extract a pound of flesh from someone... who often times was....20 plus years ago and was dead!
I do suspect that there are quite a few gold diggers creating false allegations at this point. They see a gold rush, they try to cash in.
Another factor to consider was that psychologists of the 1980's advice to the Church, in retrospect, was partially responsible for the continued coverup. These "professionals" advice was that priests with problems should undergo a few months of counseling
That's the best explanation I've heard yet. Thanks. Truth must be faced whatever anguish of spirit it may bring, but, there's a certain relief in finding out that there's a more benign explanation for something. If the bishops were trying to do the right thing -- but based on bad advice from the pshrinks -- that's a lot more palatable that believing that they were all part of a massive coverup.
Well, perhaps there are NOT things REQUIRED for salvation.
It's so easy when one can define what they WANT the text to say, and then complain when OTHERS do the same....
Have a great vacation. I just came back from a week at the beach. Got out brfore old Arlene blew thru, but she chased us home!
Last night, while we in church, 1 1/4 " of rain came down and our airport got a record 3+
(Indianapolis)
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