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.
“Where are the prophets like days of old”
“Father, the Most Holy Virgin is very sad because no one has paid any attention to Her message, neither the good nor the bad. The good continue on their way but without giving any importance to Her message. The bad, not seeing the punishment of God actually falling upon them, continue their life of sin without even caring about the message. But believe me, Father, God will chastise the world and this will be in a terrible manner. The punishment from Heaven is imminent....”
“...Father, the devil is in the mood for engaging in a decisive battle against the Blessed Virgin. And the devil knows what it is that most offends God and which in a short space of time will gain for him the greatest number of souls. Thus, the devil does everything to overcome souls consecrated to God, because in this way, the devil will succeed in leaving the souls of the faithful abandoned by their leaders, thereby the more easily will he seize them.”
December 26, 1957 interview with Lucy by Father Fuentes. The Fatima prophecy is not a singular event, and one need not be Catholic to recognize the importance of the same prophecy occurring in different places on the earth.
Yep.
5.56mm
The drums of civil disobedience get louder.
Country was founded on republicanism( govt without a king) and protestantism (church without a pope)
And the kings and popes of the religion in this country today run all gamuts of life in the reIigion of the state, secular humanism...
And the fall is quick and will continue.. you can’t be Egypt, Babylon, Sodom and Gomorrah all rolled up into one (which this nation represents better than any other on the planet) and still think you live in a good country...
It starts right there.. calling this nation evil would not be a bad thing for a believer to say...there, I said it... it would a terrible thing for a politician or celebrity to say or anyone who wanted to get ahead in this nation..
Shouldn’t be that drastic for a believer to call evil, evil.. for we certainly are not a good, messiah led nation...I would be bold and say the ‘god’ of this nation does not resemble the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob in any way..
Believers are called to come out of her..maybe that’s why lukewarm describes the last church age in revelation...
Bjt it is actually becoming easier to differentiate and lines are being drawn. That is blessing from our Heaveny Father.
Maybe because of our heritage, God is allowing lukewarm a last chance to get cold or hot...
I love that question, it really makes us take stock of our lives as Christians.
God gave Christians a peaceful country, but real Christians were never the majority in this country.
In Russia, when the Communist persecution began, the average church went from 300 people to 15. That will occur here also.
A useful choice but I tend to be a cal .30 Christian.
He will, at the moment you need it.
[Jesus said,] “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
Luke 21:28
There would be a confession, deeds can be good without faith, but they mean nothing.
Bless you for your encouraging words.
You’re welcome. I learned that lesson from reading Corrie Ten Boom’s “The Hiding Place.” Her father was a very wise man.
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