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Where Have All the Christians Gone?

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by stilllearning, Oct 10, 2009.

  1. stilllearning

    stilllearning Active Member

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    A news story from the AP

    Bruce Feiler is bestselling author of eight books, including "Walking the Bible" and "Abraham," and the host of the PBS series on "Walking the Bible." A frequent commentator on National Public Radio, CNN and FOX News. His latest book "America's Prophet: Moses and the American Story" will be published in October.
     
  2. Carico

    Carico New Member

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    Jesus tells us in MT. 24;10, that the closer we get to the end, that many will grow away from the faith, the love of most will grow cold, and "Christians" will hate and betray each other. That's happening so fast it's alarming. All one has to do is look at the online arguing and bickering between Christians alone to see that love is almost absent in the church. Only the "elect", the true born again Christians will stand firm.
     
  3. donnA

    donnA Active Member

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    a christian is a christian, theres no part or almost or not quite a christa, a person is either a christian or they aren't. How are you seeing a difference between christians then, that some christians aren't christians and some are?
     
  4. Twizzler

    Twizzler Member

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    His point about christian arguing with christian is spot on here, DonnA... we see it every day here on the BB. I'm convinced there are folk that are 'born again' that still have trouble supporting what is 'correct' in a biblical sense. The Holy Ghost may be whispering to their soul that they should believe in something but they are haughty and proud, leaning on their own understanding as we're seeing a LOT of folks these days doing.

    As for your statement, 'a christian is a christian'... that's kind of a non-issue for this thread too in my opinion... what's more relevant to me is the fact that in the 'world' the majority of the public believes that if you confess an existence in the Lord you're "christian". So, in essence, there's the 'world's definition of 'christian'...' and then there's OUR definition of the word 'christian', which we take to mean born-again, accepting Jesus Christ as our personal savior.
     
  5. Carico

    Carico New Member

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    All wolves in sheep's clothing call themselves sheep. So scripture differentiates between the true elect and the wolves in sheep's clothing which are also the first 3 groups in the parable of the sower. Jesus also makes clear that his true sheep never follow a stranger. So his true sheep cannot fall away; only the false ones described in the first 3 groups in the parable of the sower.
     
  6. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    You really don't add to the "love fest" by condemning all non calvinists are lost. You should really look in the mirror...
     
  7. donnA

    donnA Active Member

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    This is not what I was asking.
    He is identifying two different groups of people as being christians.
     
  8. menageriekeeper

    menageriekeeper Active Member

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    Lets look at what this article really says. Only half of Americans are PROTESTANT. Not Christian, but Protestant. (well, if you consider all Catholics to be heathen you won't count them as Christian either, but that is beside the point)

    Consider the influx immigrants from our southern border. They are much more likely to consider themselves Catholic than Protestant.

    Add to that, the growing acceptance in the country of peoples who don't identify with ANY religion, the growing numbers of Muslims and this is what you get.

    NOW add in the fact that many of our so-called Protestant churches teach their followers to follow "rules" rather than the guidance of the Holy Spirit and you find the reason that the younger members of our society are falling away from "traditional" worship.

    We reap what we sow. When we sow dicord, we reap falling numbers. In that I agree, we have lost sight of "by your love for one another shall ye be known".
     
  9. Carico

    Carico New Member

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    Do you think that Jesus didn't love the Pharisees or sinners whom he said were lost?:confused: If so, you're wrong. Just because some people are lost doesn't not mean that they are not loved.
     
  10. saturneptune

    saturneptune New Member

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    The problem with your statement is that you do not set the standard for the definition of what makes a "wolf in sheep's clothing." This is the job the the Lord and His Word. Your opinion of the Bible and Biblical truth are not synonyms. I have read many, many opinion papers about that parable, and while I think three are lost and one is saved (my opinion), there are a great many that think the seed that took root and was choked out by the weeds never fell away over time and worldly concerns were a temporary condition, sort of like you sinning every day, and, at the moment you do, you are in a sense "following a stranger." To me the evidence suggests this person is lost, but that does not make it Biblical truth.
     
  11. saturneptune

    saturneptune New Member

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    While I agree with the doctrines of sovereignty and grace (despise the word Calvinism), the very fact you would even imply those that do not agree with us are lost, makes every post you create in the catagory of opinion, and makes no real attempt to discover Biblical truth. It is hard to take anything you type seriously. Why is it that people who equate their weak opinions with the foundation of the Bible always end up on the side of the position I take, and end up hurting the doctrine. You remind me of Rippon.
     
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