Posted on 02/17/2014 6:08:24 AM PST by shortstop
Being Christian in America increasingly means something very different from what it has meant previously in our nation’s history.
As the culture and its values change, so too does the position once held by the teachings of traditional, Bible-based Christianity.
Simply put, the Christian values once applauded by this society are increasingly being attacked by this society, and that growing antagonism extends not just to the values, but to the people who ascribe to them.
Bible-based Christians should be aware of that attitudinal shift, and of the adversity and persecution which will accompany it.
American society and traditional Christianity have a long and partnered history. The nation was initially settled by people whose Christian faith defined their lives and, indeed, brought them to these shores. And though their denominations varied, the core of their beliefs – and their respect for adherents to those beliefs – did not.
Christian virtues were admired even by those who didn’t practice them. Piety and faithfulness were seen as good traits across the society. That general respect was endorsing of and supporting of those beliefs and the people who practiced them.
It was good to be a practicing Christian, and Christian virtues were seen as a respected standard for all.
But the society has changed.
A rising amorality has defined those who preach morality as intolerant bigots. As the unchanging light of true Christianity has cast unflattering shadows on a darkening American heart, that heart has turned against that light. As the American popular culture has veered ever further from the strait and narrow path of Biblical Christianity, the culture has not been shamed, it has been angered.
And Christians are increasingly the target of that anger.
For centuries, Christianity has been a respected faith in America. In this day, however, it is becoming a reviled faith in America.
The haven this society has provided Christianity is potentially no more. And Christians will have to adapt to that, and perhaps recognize that this respite from persecution has been an exception to the historical rule.
Part of the antagonism will be a fight over who gets to define what “Christian” means. People with pretty vestments and fancy titles and contemporary views will continue to pollute the pulpit and cloud the issue. They will preach strange doctrines and consecrate ancient blasphemies, but their authority will come from man, not from the Bible or its Author.
Their partners in the attack on traditional Christianity will come from the newly self-appointed arbiters of right and wrong – the pronouncers of political correctness. Activists and politicians and celebrities, ordained by web hits and reality television, will conduct a modern Inquisition, chasing down any deviation from their godless views.
And that puts Christians in the crosshairs.
Real Christians.
The ones who believe what their great-grandparents believed 100 years ago, and what their Savior taught 2,000 years ago.
But the society has changed.
Being a persecuted one will bring its own rewards.
Bump
Prophesy said this would come. It should come as no surprise.
I never thought I’d live to see this day. I pray God gives me, my children & my grandkids the courage to stand & not deny Him.
Christians had a chance to stop this decline when we were still the majority in this country. I don’t see it getting better for the culture at this point.
Being a Christian in America, it pains me to say this, but as one looks at the History of the Church, it would seem that the more Christians are persecuted by the prevailing government, the more devoted and and courageous they become. It seems to be a “purification” process, like precious metal refined in the fire.
Christianity is on the increase in China, despite nearly two generations of repression.
Eastern Europe is another example.
But “refining and purification” HURTS, so, to be honest, I am not looking forward to it.
The biggest enemy of the church is complacency and comfort.
Free Republic has changed. There is a small handful of Freepers that expend nearly all of their efforts attacking other Christians.
They can do whatever they want to try to do but as long as I belong to Jesus... my reward is assured.
That's at least how long this has been going on.
Just remember, it's not you they hate, it's Jesus Himself.
The Judeo-Christian ethic is increasingly HATED by the culture at large, at least here in the United States.
Stand strong, Christians. You are being assaulted with small arms fire now... The big guns are coming.
Our society started changing when the muslim moved into the White House.
From my observation, those in the media who are allowed to publicly define Christianity for those who do not know are those who routinely slander Christianity and its adherents.
Its right to do good works, but at some point the church is going to have to stand firm and offer a clear vision that sin exists and that certain acts and actions constitutes sin. With that, the church needs to continue to offer true compassion and a hand to those seeking a lift out of the cultural quagmire.
I think the church today is very caught up in the idea of being seeker friendly and really what this means is blending in to the culture so as not to offend. Too, many of us as Christians are not trusting and putting faith in our Savior. Hence, we are sure to avoid rocking the cultural boat so as not to offend anyone with our stance. Therefore, we too are easily and willingly camouflaged by the culture around us.
I think the author is correct. And I pray that as the church comes alive and we as individual Christians (the church) wholly trust in our Savior that this will surely raise the ire of our nemesis, Satan and that's when things will get interesting.
For we our battle is not against flesh and blood...
“It was good to be a practicing Christian, and Christian virtues were seen as a respected standard for all.
But the society has changed.”
On the other hand, my child recently went on a weekend retreat, and the kids were very happy and seem very committed to the spiritual aspect of their young lives.
My personal feeling is that the deepest messages of Christianity - love, forgiveness, salvation - are so profoundly correct and compelling, that whatever cycles we go through in the world, the secular critics and enemies of Christianity will always and inevitably lose to the truth.
That is a really interesting point. I think its that people get complacent and take the Christian Virtues for granted. When they are actively suppressed people realize how important they are.
Sad to say, it was long before that. How in the world Bill Clinton was allowed to stay in office given the nature of his abhorrent behavior, is still a mystery to me. It was so in-your-face (with finger pointing: “now you listen to me...”), and his Democrat machine supporters were so “we’ll be damned if we’re going to let you remove ‘our’ guy.” It’s been downhill fast ever since. And now we have the prospect of HC becoming the next POTUS! Just YUCK! I shake my head in disbelief with how fast we’ve sunk in this country...at lightening speed, if you ask me.
Yes. You are correct. The sad part is that they often do so from WITHIN the church.....wolves in sheep clothing. Used to be that men like Spong were relegated to “high church” groups and positions.....but now, the perversion of Christianity has crept into many evangelical and so-called fundamental groups.
Being a respectful Christian and believing in Christ and accepting him as your savior is rebellious.
Sounds like things have come full circle from when Jesus died for us. Back then we were treated as rebels and were hunted down, made fun of and oppressed and Killed for our beliefs.
The romans couldn’t stop us then, I doubt these creatures today will have any luck.
The comments at that website make the case for him.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.