America is falling apart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Clue: America was never 'together'!

 

America has always been "falling apart"...

...falling away from God.

GOOD NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

God is now open for business in:

China.....South America....India.....Africa

America: burn your Harry Potter books, YuGiOh cards, Grand theft Auto video games, and return to Christ the Lord.

 

4-Christ, you are so right. As Christians we need to "get on our horses" and proclaim God's Word to our nation.

Vaspers, your post raises an interesting question: What are the implications for foreign missions in light of the spiritual condition of America in comparison with many other places?

 

4-christ you can take your bible to school no one can stop you, you can read it in your free peirod.
if they try to stop you there are people you can find to help fight back, I know this because I work for a school district in texas.also if they allow students to wear T shirts with any thing other than school spirit you can wear a christian shirt.

 

I agree with this post in principal, but if you think America is falling apart, you should visit a few other countries in this world...then you'll know how fortunate we truly are.

In the U.S., we argue, discuss, and litigate over these things. In other countries around the world, our brothers and sisters are truly being persecuted - I've seen it myself.

 

[William Penn]sylvania Jim:

China is sending missionaries to USA, England, France, Saudi Arabia, etc.

I heard on CBN the Chinese Christians say to American Christians: "Don't worry. We're on it. War on Terrorism and Radical Militant Islam? Done deal. We are sweeping toward Jerusalem, converting everything in our path! We are hot on the trail of Muslims, to bring them to the Lord Jesus. We are stubborn and will get it done!"

Brothers and sisters, I paraphrased a bit, but that was the gist of it, and it has warmed my heart exceedingly since I heard it.

Don't mess with the Chinese underground Christians. They mean business.

The Iraqi Christians don't care what happens politically in their country. They actually said this. On a CBN program recently. Underground, persecuted, approved, institutionalized, honored, despised, whatever.

They could care less how they have to worship or evangelize. With acceptance or with a death sentence of Sharia Law, big deal. They will do what God says no matter what the political climate is. Wow!!!

 

Very intteresting and exciting post, Vaspers.

Still, my question about foreign missions, in a little more specific terms:

Having declined seriously in America over the past 2-3 generations, are we pouring resources into foreign missions that should be used to save our own culture and build the church back up in our own country?

Are we presumptious to emphasize foreign missions as though we have done our job here and need to help others to "do it like us"?

Not a rhetorical question, I seriously wonder.

 

It is not a choice of foreign verses domestic missions. It must be both, that is what Jesus commanded.

Concerning America falling apart....that is new news to whom? Perhaps if it fell apart we would finally turn in the only available direction, toward Jesus and away from th selfishness of sin. How many times did God use "tough times" to try and get his people to return to him? I say tear it apart, if that is what is needed to draw us closer to Jesus!

 

go2church,

If you would like to have your family tortured or killed, or starved, or imprisoned for worshipping, ok. I fail to see the romance in it. I'd prefer to sit that one out, thanks.

Yes, Jesus did command us to spread the gospel to the whole world, but I don't think my question (read carefully, please) precludes that.

 

PJim: it is more blessed to give than to receive.

We give missionaries to the world, foreign countries send missionaries over here. This door swings both ways.

Missionaries went to China in the 1930s was it? Lottie Moon and Hudson Taylor or whoever. Now Chinese Christians are sweeping toward Jerusalem.

Jesus said to go out into all the world, not just stay put in your nation and neighborhood.

Some one with smarts tell us: isn't "missionary" a relatively new concept in practice? Didn't church denominations harshly condemn missionaries for centuries? Until 1930s or 40s?

Seems like I came across something on this. It was Hudson Taylor or someone who changed it.

Anyone know this well? I admit I'm fuzzy on the subject. Love to know more.

 

But here is my question, and again it's a question, I'm not trying to be rhetorical:

Jesus commanded that the gospel be spread to the whole worls, starting where he was speaking. Now, 2004, it has spread to the whole world, although much remains to be done to reach many.

But, if it has been spread to, f'risntance, England and the US, why should we "exchange missionaries", pretending that we're carrying out the Great Commission by sending the gospel to each other? THAT doesn't strike me as what Jesus had in mind. Why can't the English preacher preach in England, and the American preacher preach in America, and save the plane fares?

 

Because God wants us to understand other cultures, to get out of our comfort zones, to demonstrate His love for all people groups...

...going as a missionary to India, North Korea, Africa, Haiti, Cuba, Saudi Arabia, France, Holland, Japan, Russia, Australia, Netherlands, Antarctica...

...people in those places will be impressed and interested that you left your friends and family and culture to make an impact for Christ on a foreign land.

This provokes greater cooperation between nations. yes, in big ways and tiny ways. Every little bit counts and adds up gloriously. To be isolated in your nation with your dumbnomination, and your culture and your diet and your music and your dress...

...can lead to intolerance and aloofness and superiority.

Americanized Christianity is just a tiny part of Global Christianity, and increasingly irrelevant. The developing world is charging ahead with salvation, conversion, healing, miracles...

...while our theologians debate Calvinism, predestination, gay bishops, abortion, cessationism, etc.

 

You've given good practical reasons, but haven't answered my question as to how all of our foreign missions activity relates to the Great Commission.

By the way, your comment

leans against foreign missions, not in favor of them, IMO.

I'm NOT against foreign missions. But I'm wondering just exactly how much biblical support do we have as their basis as a necessity.

 

I think that it's all a matter of where a person has been called. Even though the gospel had arrived in the city of Corith, Paul continued to visit. I think the key is found in Acts 13:4. We should respond to the Holy Spirit's direction. If it means sending someone from America to England, so be it. If it means that an Englishman is called to the inner-city in Detrot, so be it.

The Holy Spirit calls us and gives us gifts of service. He also shows us the path in which to use those gifts.

 

Scott, thanks, and I agree. But, it still does not address my specific question of whether our present practices regarding "foreign missions" are biblically mandated by Christ. I'm not being a smart-alec, I really wonder about this.

 

Matt 28:19 therefore go and teach ALL nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
If you look up the word nations in strongs it means foreign. Also when God calls you to go you dont ask why there you just go,and those who do go will be blessed

 

Very true, Vaspers, however, don't quote EVERYTHING CBN says, they have a tendency to -- well exagerate quite a bit to keep their ratings up (and thus revenue). In general, they are okay, but take it with a grain of salt. Just a word of caution from someone who has spent a lot of time in the media business, and still owns a Christian Radio station.

 

Thanks Phillip.

PJim: the gospel has not gone out into all the world.

Think of Amazon tribes newly discovered, and such like.

Your own neighborhood, and mine too, how many people have never had anyone come right up to them and ask them to decide to accept or reject Christ?

A church on the corner and a Bible on the coffee table doen't mean a home has been reached with the gospel.

My dad had a picture of Jesus hanging on the livingroom wall and claimed to be an atheist until a few months before he died.

What specifically about missionaries do you question?

I mean I have a million questions about churches...and find them laughable and barely biblical...very alien to First Century Church...

...so you got a sympathetic ear here my friend.

One thing I know is horrible about missions:

To not allow the native population to take over once a work is established, to enforce officials from the missionary society as the only valid leaders---stuuuuuuuupid.

Now...what can I help you understand (like I'm some kinda expert. Ha!)?

 

Since it is the moral responsibility of parents, not schools, to teach their kids the Ten Commandments, then, if America is falling apart, it's not the schools' fault, but the parents' fault for not living up to their responsibilities. Besides, many here on the board believe that the 10C's are old covenant, and no longer in force. Hence, would the teaching of the Ten Commandments in school not violate the freedom of religion of these?

Really? Then why does my 16yo daughter have a bible that she takes to public school with her? Why is she taking a "bible as literature" class for English in her senior year next year?

If you bring your children up to be heterosexuals, this should not be a problem.

It's illegal in California. It's illegal in most states. So far, I believe it's only legal (by vitrue of absence of a law saying otherwise) in only one state, and that is being challenged as we speak.

Sorry, but I don't blame America for my woes. I blame myself.