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Boy, where does one start?

I disagree with much of what is said in this article; however, I do agree Christianity today is a far cry from what it should be.

Our divorce rate is markedly above the national average. Sin seems relative. Excommunications are unheard of despite the many justifiable situations for it.

Unfortunately, the "traditional" approach mentioned in this article is also the problem with Christendom.

We need to all get back to what the Bible truly says and follow it with all our heart, mind, and soul.

Flowing robes, boring Mass, and candles have never saved a soul.

But God has.

Though lacking Scriptural support for this, I contend that hell consists in some small part in viewing films with English subtitles.

Totally a side issue, but I take great exception to this. Most of the most delightful film I've viewed has come from (lesser) China and (greater) Iran, all with English subtitles. In the latter case, the wife can fill in subtleties I'd miss (the significance of various accents, for example), but we've both enjoyed the Chinese (mainland) film we've seen.

Hell is poorly dubbed film. The picture shows a couple of guys walking down a country road in Russia in frigid winter wind, but what you hear are two guys reading before microphones in a dead room somewhere.

Pietism is on the rise. Most people outside the Lutheran traditions have no idea of what that is, which is kind of shocking to me.

In the end, pietists think that they are the only authority of what to believe, and wander all over the theological landscape. Or, the churches in which pietism is taught end up with a theology a mile wide and an inch deep.

Orthodox Lutheran's know the difference between the theology of the cross, and the theology of man's glory. The former leads you to realize that you are sinful, and that you are not capable of earning salvation. It makes you realize that Jesus Christ went through the most horrible death for us, because of our sins.

The theology of glory takes the focus away from Jesus. It focuses on yourself, your feelings, your lifestyle, everything about you and not a lot about God. Some end up leaving the church when the bad times hit (and they do) because they have been taught if they are truely right with God, nothing bad will happen. Glory is flashy, entertaining, and is just what the inching ears want to hear.

Small groups within churches that do not foster commitment to corporate worship and thus to the means of grace are enemies of the cross of Christ. The premise of such groups is that word and sacrament are not enough to meet individual felt needs. Everyone is different, so everyone must be met on a different level. Some have daily sins to confess and to be absolved from and some don't. All have something different they need or want from the church salad bar on Sunday morning. This is a malignant American individualism, and it smells of Lucifer's droppings.

Interesting passage and one I'd like to share with anyone who has a hand in Church planting / growth, for comments