No shocker. The number one search on Yahoo! the other day was horoscopes. Many "believers" read their horoscopes daily, and think nothing of it, and actually defend it. I wouldn't be surprised of an all out attack to defend such by some here on BB.
Christians generally judge and condemn these, cast them off, never witness to them, and hang out with only people like themselves.
God put them there for someone to witness to. They're definitely into darkness with purpose.
I've heard of churches praying for various businesses to be shut down.
Do they also pray that the owners and customers come to know Christ? Or is it all about getting the sinners out of 'their' town?
This is a great witness opportunity for the Christians of your community, to show the love and truth of Jesus.
Keep them all in constant prayer, they need it.
I heard of a church years ago that prayed against a Honky Tonk just down the road from the church.
The owner knew of their "special prayer" and when the place dried up, he sued the church claiming their "prayers" caused the ruin of his business.
In court the pastor denied that prayer had anything to do with it.
:laugh::laugh::laugh:
Within five miles of the church where I serve we have the following:
1. An Islamic mosque
2. A Hindu temple
3. A Buddhist prayer garden
4. An Islamic teaching center
5. A Jewish synagogue
6. A Ba'hai community
7. A Buddhist monastery
And that is the buildings/communities we know about.
Welcome to the pluralistic USA. I would discourage you from writing a letter. It would only serve to reinforce a stereotype. Rather I would encourage you to pray, ask others to pray, and find ways of ministering to these people.
As evangelicals in an emerging Post-Christian, pluralistic society we must understand our position as being the Truth of God and find ways to show the Love of God meaningfully.
Oh, I'm going to write them, but my written correspondance to them will not be of the Fred Phelps style "Yer gonna burn in hell you wicked ones unless you repent in dust and ashes" type of correspondance
I'm just not that way. I will treat them with dignity and respect, and might even compliment then on their ecological concern and love of nature.
But as a christian I am compelled to share with them the truth that there IS an eternal life to be gained or lost, and a hell to be experienced or saved from. And that witchcraft will accomplish nothing positive regarding those things.
I agree completely. But showing the Love of God is more that just being kind to people, and affirming their worth and dignity. (as important as that is.) That is the principle failure of the ultra liberal churches.
Showing the love of God includes clearly telling people the truth regarding things that will keep them from an eternal life when they die.
Witches need Jesus too.The fields are white for harvest--where are the workers? The mystery of iniquity already works. It is no wonder, Satan himself is become an angel of light--his ministers seem to preach righteousness.
Satan has been defeated. He knows his days are numbered. He will not go away quietly. Check the armour again--the fiery darts are still flying.
Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.
His "welcome to the pluralistic" world is sarcasm coupled with condescension toward this brother as if he is unaware of the world, or society in which we live. I've heard it makes the author of such feel superior to whom he writes.
Secondly, he doubts AIC's ability to handle this appropriately, and instructs him into givens such as prayer and witnessing, which AIC was already given to do.
That's how we treat one another on BB because it's not a live arena.
I believe without a doubt that AIC can handle this.
God bless him in his endeavor. Again, I support him.
I remember that also. It was in our newspaper. The judge said he had a Honky Tonk owner that claimed that God answers prayer; and a preacher that claims God does not answer prayer.
I have no doubt that you're going to treat with both dignity and respect.:thumbsup:
Showing the love of God begins with identifying them in their inherent human dignity. I just don't know what a letter plans on accomplishing. A relationship is more significant.
I'm all for being honest with people but I don't agree that telling people who don't know you and you don't know them they are going to Hell because they are a bunch of pagans out of the gate. We can be honest in our proclamation but also can be tactful.
Too much of Christianity has been rejected by people who are rejecting the actions of Christians. The early church didn't go and declaim people who worshiped false gods. They went and ministered to them and sought opportunities to build credibility with them through ministering in love, showing them a transformed life, and sharing the Gospel relationally. :)
When we had the Islamic mosque open up near our church we didn't write letters, send out press releases, or publicly lambaste them...we organized an intentional strategy and engaged individuals who are effective at reaching across the cultural divide. We have grown an effective outreach strategy that is truly reaching into their community.
I don't doubt that you have honest intentions. I don't believe you're less educated or an ignorant person, rather I stating a point of view that is something to consider as an alternative to your stated point. :)