Yeah, I’m a Christian. I believe in God.

Wading Across Blog ^ | 8-30-10 | Wading Across

[Wading Across]

Let me point out that I do believe and profess both statements; however, the latter does not fully nor accurately define the former. The sad reality is that many, if not most people in the United States (and probably globally – more so in the West) believe that a belief in God simply and wholly defines what and who a Christian is. I believe it is not only a condemnation of those who state this – of their ignorance or laziness – but of the Church as a whole, in our ignorance and laziness. A partial explanation of it is noted in the recent findings that most people – specifically Christians – really don’t know much about their faith/religion/denomination; whether what their religion professes and/or what they believe. Here’s the story. Here’s the article. ... I believe that much of this stems from problems within the church that the world and more importantly the church has battled for centuries, but more recently over the last two centuries. It boils down to pragmatism/utilitarianism, effectively that what works is good and must be “true”. The modern equivalent of this is primarily found in the “Emergent” movement. Pastor Bob DeWaay has spent a lot of time delving into that movement, and I urge you to read some of his articles as he dissects it.

I’ve been reading an old book by John MacArthur called Ashamed of the Gospel. Pastor John looks at Charles Spurgeon’s battles with mediocrity and liberalization in the Church in the 1800s and compares and applies that to today (which was then the early 90s). You see, the issue is not new, and it is growing as a problem, highlighted in the Pew study. ...

[Wading Across]

My thoughts on the results of the recent Pew Study findings showing that a large percentage of the population know very little about other religions, much less their own.

A sad picture on today's society, more so on professing Christians.

We need to straighten up and fly right.

[circlecity]

This study showed nothing. In the 15 questions posted on the internet not a single one had anything to do with New Testament Christianity. A couple of questions dealt with religious history (reformation, New Awakening) but that is not the same as a question on “religion”. So, leaving out any questions on Biblical Christianity and then saying the results show that Christians don’t know about their religion is disingenuous in the extreme.

[bkepley]

Well then you’re an idiot or insane, so says Bill “Brains” Maher.

[Wading Across]

I’ll gladly be a fool for Christ, and Bill Maher is a fool too, of a different sort.

[Wading Across]

True, the survey offered now is rather innocuous and shallow, but apparently the original survey was more in depth.

Even if the study shows “nothing”, I believe it does support anecdotal evidence concering the American populace and Christians as a whole.

As I noted/alluded in the title, there are a great many people who think that they’re Christians and that Christianity is equated with a belief in God.

Frankly, when you press most people on that, they’ll give you some sort of amorphous answer that delves into pragmatism, universalism, relativism, agnosticism, etc.

[circlecity]

Yep, the wheat and the tares.