1. your church? 2. your culture? 3. even your personal beliefs
I have noticed tendencies by many to express their views in these "ideals" and they have not realized what they are really embracing (or maybe they do ). We appear to be continuing in the times when everyone is right in their own mind, defending their views with this "Christian" author says........
Culture in Britain for the under 40s is basically post modern. Don Carson provides a helpful summary in the Gagging of God of how far it has affected life and provides some Christian responses to it.
Those in influence in my church tend to be older than 40 so I guess we are still in the grip of modernism.
Like post-modernists I am aware of the limitations of our knowledge. I'm also aware that my peers are very loathe to state anything is right or wrong.
Since Postmodernism began "more" full-force in the later 60s and early 70s it is no wonder the over 40 crowd there has been influenced by its philosophy.
What are the specifics of its influence that you have see there in Britain? I use to live in various parts of Europe, thus some comparisons...................
An acceptance of all sorts of lifestyles, a government that is terrified of suggesting a "family" has a man married to a woman in it, an avoidance of moral absolutes, Christians who consider choosing a church to be like choosing a favourite clothes shop, an unwillingness to care about doctrine and an increading ignorance about all matters Christian.
Sounds to me you have summed up "most" of so-called Christianity in America today as well. Many denominations are accepting "any" lifestyle as Christian. We even have so-called homosexual churches. The SBC a few years ago thought it necessary to have to put a new article in their doctrine explaining what a family "is." We too have a church on every corner and the swinging door of indecision and unconformity to the faith once delivered to the saints.... And of course, what would America be today without a "new" interpretation of Scripture every week.
I think this is one of the VERY important reasons why we need a systematic theology and why the Reformed view of Scripture, terms, philosophy, etc is so IMPORTANT! Here are some articles I located,
In simple terms, today, many people call themselves "Christians" when in fact their definition of that word has tremendously different interpretations. Even amongst regular church attenders the definition is varied. Calvinism has frequently been called Biblical Christianity and that for me is the key. Biblical Christianity versus Humanistic christianity.
Even though our society doesn't accept absolutes it doesn't change the reality that there are absolutes. God has put certain things in place which remain constant and everlastingly true. The timeless principals taught in the Word of God will not conform to the will of man but to God alone. In America today pluralism, humanism, and atheism still blind a lot of folks. The New Age movement and Postmodernism have simply elevated man to the point where he has to decide for himself what's real.
Your original question was how has this effected me or my church. Well it has encouraged me into deeper study of God's Word because it doesn't matter so much what I think (ie. humanistic) as what God says is true. When I read authors who discuss these trends I need to ponder what Scripture has to say with relevant texts. I think many churches have played right into the devil's hands by trying to meet the perceived needs of people with worship services catering to man-centered thinking. This has made the church in America look very different from what God intended. Instead of being the pillar and the ground of truth it has conformed to the will of man. It is also why society doesn't want the True Church to play a role today.
Wes
When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride. - Isaac Watts
Today, we indeed have a smörgåsbord of church and denominational flavors. Each man determining for himself what truth is as opposed the THE TRUTH that has already been delivered to the saints. Indeed this humanistic philosophy is in our politics, schools, churches, and out ways of thinking.
Yes, the ONLY solution is a continual embracement of Divine Truth.
An example of how far deconstructionism has moved the mindset of our society is evidenced in political correctness. Nearly every value is turned upside down to establish this new order. Nothing is sacred.
Look at Iraq's Minister of Information. He's becoming a hero for those who hate the truth.
When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride. - Isaac Watts
In reply to:Nearly every value is turned upside down to establish this new order. Nothing is sacred.
And the same thing happens in the church, as in the political example you gave! For people to say anything contrary to another's beliefs (though they be wrong and heretical) they are looked down on by many. Some think we are to lie down in our theology and allow ourselves to be run over by the munitions of another's view all in the name of love...... But, because of their re-defining the Christian faith, terminology, et. al. to fit their own thoughts and beliefs they have fallen into a form of deconstructionism. This certainty shows how important correct teaching in the church is! Many embrace error and do not even realize it!
One of the largest pushers of the postmodern "Christian World View" is John Shelby Spong. He wrote that insightful pile of puke called, "Why Christianity Must Change or Die." He is probably the basist heretic impacting the church today. His contentions are that since we live in a world that is becoming increasingly more emipirical and scientific Christianity must submit to the relativity and preach a downgraded Gospel. Of course the main reason for this yuckiness is he is trying to rationalize his homosexuality. All I have to say to this man and the other faithless wonders out there is that God is eternal and that biblical Christianity will overwhelmingly conquer this eroneous interpretation of science of religion.
O Jesus please open the eyes of the relativists that they might see the glory of Your gospel and recieve the imperishable ineheritence of Your Salvation. In your name my Lord Jesus
Yes, as just think here is a man (John Shelby Spong the Bishop of Newark) embracing his depraved nature, and that is NOT enough for him, but he desires to take others with him in the process. You know what they say Spring has Spong , that is sprung a leak infecting others with his seasons of poisons.
We recently had a big todo over Calvinism at Campus Crusade for Christ when a leader suggested a discussion on the biblical validity of Calvinism some lunatic sent a message over the list serve that such talk about doctrine interfered with the Gospel and how dare the Calvinists disrupt the listserve. The conversation ended after that. I'm not as involved the group anymore because of the theological relativity that is so predominate in the group. I really thank God though that He brought Flagstaff Christian Fellowship to this town. We're right off Campus and our Pastor is Steve Cole who wrote the review of Dave Hunts trash "What Love is This"; truth is declared in Flagstaff by the grace of God. Peace, Levy
It is unfortunate that this is the view of some. But, of course, you could take a back door approach and form any Arminian POV and dissect its errors giving rise to the truth of Calvinism. It is great that you have a good church. It is SO necessary for proper teaching. What is your pastor's education and favorite authors...?
My Pastor went to DTS (Dallas Theological Seminary) I know that it has fallen on bad times theologically. His fovorite authors are Luther, Calvin, Edwards, John Piper, but his library is huge. He was a philosophy major in California. God bless.
). We appear to be continuing in the times when everyone is right in their own mind, defending their views with this "Christian" author says........
, that is sprung a leak infecting others with his seasons of poisons.