Posted on 03/09/2022 10:19:43 AM PST by Red Badger
Why has American Christianity grown so weak? It’s because of sin, and especially one in particular. Not the sin you’re probably thinking of, though. It’s one you may never have thought was sin.
There’s nothing even slightly hidden about this instruction in the Bible. It’s the most frequently taught theme in the whole New Testament. It’s in the Great Commandment. Disobedience to it earned one group the most stinging rebuke in all the New Testament epistles. The Church as a whole is disobeying it right and left, yet totally oblivious to it.
What is this long-forgotten sin? Intellectual laziness. It’s the failure to keep learning. To keep growing in knowledge. To pursue God with all our minds.
And I’ll bet you never thought of that as sin. But it is.
Yes, We’re Lazy
The Church is definitely lazy. We’re not learners. We’re not disciples. (The word means “student.”) Most of our sermons are mere reminders of what we already knew, and besides that, who remembers on Tuesday what the preacher said on Sunday, anyway?
Some very earnest churches still have Sunday School for adults, but how many treat it as school, as a place of serious learning? How many classes have review sessions? How many give quizzes and tests?
Surveys show that only about one-in-ten self-identified Christians knows and believes the most basic truths of the Christianity. This isn’t a failure of faith, or prayer, or giving, or mercy. It’s a failure of knowledge.
Yes, It’s Sin
Maybe you question whether learning and knowledge are such a big deal in God’s eyes. Re-read the Great Commandment. Or count how often the Bible mentions it, and compare it to some obvious virtues like faith and love.
(Excerpt) Read more at stream.org ...
Excellent Post!
I was disappointed that the source is ‘excerpt only’ ... I wanted to post the whole article..................
I am grateful I found a church that teaches, offers adult classes and is not the type that is mentioned. It took a while to find it, and it’s right in my town! Currently, we’re studying Genesis 1:11 in my weekly women’s class. It’s been very informative.
I disagree. It’s not laziness, but idolatry. God warned us sooo many times not to worship idols, and idols are not just statues, but much more often people. People who lead the flock astray. People who claim to know better and who become false prophets. The church is filled with them, just as Paul warned the seven churches of antiquity would happen if they were not judicious. Laziness is just a symptom.
From the article: “If you’re not convinced yet, open up your Bible to Hebrews 5:11-14. The writer is rebuking them for intellectual laziness. I’ll have more to say on this more in a future column. For now, let me just remind you how sharp a word it was when he said they “need milk, not solid food.”
Our church is going through Hebrews, we’re around Hebrews 8 currently, we had some really good sermons on this. Thanks for posting this article.
[[The Church is definitely lazy. We’re not learners. We’re not disciples.]]
Hmmm- he goes to different churches than we did-
[[Why has American Christianity grown so weak?]]
It’s weak? Nope- Some churches are- no doubt- but many are quite strong- always have been, always will be-
I thank God for my Monday night Bible Study Group, through the Bible Study Fellowship organization. It’s an amazing organization with a great program.
Very interesting. I’ve never been a church goer, but I go to a bible study class each week. It’s fascinating history, if nothing else.
BOOKMARK
The article was focused on theologic cause and effect issues, so perhaps that is why it overlooked the main reason why Amercian Christianity has become so diluted, so weak, flabby and often without resolve: The Courts.
It is quickly becoming an act bordering on breaking the law to describe and discuss basic tenets of The Bible, such as The 10 Commandments. Few teachers in the New America would dare to invite any of their students to their Church or one of the Church functions.
The very concept of “Sin” implies opportunity and responsibility, two character traits that are often downplayed in this era where playing a helpless victim can garner a lot of attention and rapid compliance.
The sacrament of Marriage has been scrambled and redefined in the eyes of the law. Same thing with the term ‘Family’.
The book of Proverbs urges us to seek knowledge and wisdom many many times over and is a solid guide for how we should live our lives.
For those interested, 0there are 31 chapters in the book of Proverbs.....one to read each day of the month. (Read more than one chapter in months with less than 31 days).
A great way to begin or supplement you Bible reading.
James 1:5 ESV
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
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HE WILL GIVE WISDOM TO ALL WHO SIMPLY ASK......................
There will come a ‘great falling away’.............
“SIMPLY ASK”
Yep many won’t or don’t however........I call it “the selfish rebel heart” which the Bible also warns about.
Jeremiah 17:9 comes to mind.
A big thank you to SaveFerris, who made me aware of Bible teacher Dr. George W. Westlake Jr. He has dozens of YouTube videos, and he is the absolute best Bible teacher I have ever heard. He has several End Times videos from his church. Right now, my husband and I are viewing his “End Times” series. He is a Greek Scholar, and is 90 years old. We also enjoy his “Answers To Bible Questions” videos.
“My people perish for lack of knowledge.”
Covid had this verse playing out in spades.
Asking is the easy part. Being willing to accept God’s wisdom, when it conflicts with our human desires and weaknesses is the hard part.
I call B.S.!
Regards,
Proverbs 31 is engraved on my late wife’s headstone. She was the worthy woman. It took me 53 years to find her.
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