The State of Theology 2016: DISMAL

[Guest Robert]

In reading this study, I found some very disturbing trends amongst "evangelicals" as listed by this study:

- 46 percent believe that God accepts the worship of all religions, including Christianity, Judaism and Islam.

- 52 percent agree that sex outside of marriage is wrong

- only 27 percent agree that the Bible alone is the written word of God.

There's more listed in the study, found here:

 

http://thestateoftheology.com/

Edited October 8, 2016 by RobertS

[Ezra]

15 hours ago, Yowm said:

I reading this study, I found some very disturbing trends amongst "evangelicals" as listed by this study

It is evident from this study that college and university education undermine faith. What may not be evident is that because the seminaries have undermined the faith and doctrines of prospective preachers, so-called"evangelicals" now hold to unorthodox or heterodox beliefs. At the same time, everyone has access to Scripture, so that is not really an excuse.

As Ligonier states, the antidote is to aggressively preach and teach the true Gospel and Bible truth to more-or-less pagan America (whether people hear or not).  Each one will give account for rejecting the Bible and Bible truth.

[SavedOnebyGrace]

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By the good deeds that I do, I partly contribute to earning my place in heaven.

36% of self-identified evangelicals agree or somewhat agree with this statement.  Where are they getting this from?

Quote

The term evangelical locates within itself the gospel, the evangel. The heart of the gospel is the truth that Jesus Christ alone is the way, the truth, and the life, and that His work alone accomplishes our redemption (John 14:6; Romans 3:21–25). The two above statements undermine the gospel, and significant numbers of evangelical respondents agree with them.

The first statement undermines the exclusivity of Christ. The second undermines the truth that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone. In 2016, we’re on the eve of celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. We find that evangelicalism is faltering. The stakes could not be higher. Salvation is found in Christ alone and not in any other mediator, any other religion, or by any other means.

Matthew 7:12-14;

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The Narrow Gate

12 In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the prophets. 13 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.…

Berean Study Bible

 

Edited October 12, 2016 by Saved.One.by.Grace

[SavedOnebyGrace]

Quote

 

2 Thessalonians 2 [KJV]

1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,

2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,

17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

 

Is this just the beginning of the great falling away, the middle, or hasn't it even started yet?

[Ezra]

3 hours ago, Saved.One.by.Grace said:

Is this just the beginning of the great falling away, the middle, or hasn't it even started yet?

The great falling away began in the 19th century, so we are approaching the end. The Church of England is probably one of the best examples.

[SavedOnebyGrace]

4 minutes ago, Ezra said:

The great falling away began in the 19th century, so we are approaching the end. The Church of England is probably one of the best examples.

What was the start?

[Ezra]

36 minutes ago, Saved.One.by.Grace said:

What was the start?

Theological liberalism (from Theopedia)

Theological liberalism, sometimes known as Protestant Liberalism, is a theological movement rooted in the early 19th century German Enlightenment, notably in the philosophy of Immanuel Kant and the religious views of Friedrich Schleiermacher.

It is an attempt to incorporate modern thinking and developments, especially in the sciences, into the Christian faith. Liberalism tends to emphasize ethics over doctrine and experience over Scriptural authority. While essentially a 19th century movement, theological liberalism came to dominate the American mainline churches in the early 20th century. Liberal Christian scholars embraced and encouraged the higher biblical criticism of modern Biblical scholarship.

Protestant liberal thought in its most traditional incarnations emphasized the universal Fatherhood of God, the brotherhood of man, the infinite value of the human soul, the example of Jesus, and the establishment of the moral-ethical Kingdom of God on Earth. It has often been relativistic, pluralistic, and non-doctrinal.

Liberalism birthed other movements with varying emphases. Among these movements have been the Social Gospel, theological Feminism, Liberation theology, Process theology, and the Jesus Seminar. One product of these movements is the heretical Myth of Christian Origins which denies the divinity of Christ and the authority of scripture.

[SavedOnebyGrace]

12 minutes ago, Ezra said:

Theological liberalism (from Theopedia)

Theological liberalism, sometimes known as Protestant Liberalism, is a theological movement rooted in the early 19th century German Enlightenment, notably in the philosophy of Immanuel Kant and the religious views of Friedrich Schleiermacher.

It is an attempt to incorporate modern thinking and developments, especially in the sciences, into the Christian faith. Liberalism tends to emphasize ethics over doctrine and experience over Scriptural authority. While essentially a 19th century movement, theological liberalism came to dominate the American mainline churches in the early 20th century. Liberal Christian scholars embraced and encouraged the higher biblical criticism of modern Biblical scholarship.

Protestant liberal thought in its most traditional incarnations emphasized the universal Fatherhood of God, the brotherhood of man, the infinite value of the human soul, the example of Jesus, and the establishment of the moral-ethical Kingdom of God on Earth. It has often been relativistic, pluralistic, and non-doctrinal.

Liberalism birthed other movements with varying emphases. Among these movements have been the Social Gospel, theological Feminism, Liberation theology, Process theology, and the Jesus Seminar. One product of these movements is the heretical Myth of Christian Origins which denies the divinity of Christ and the authority of scripture.

I studied Kant in Philosophy class but I'm not familiar with Friedrich Schleiermacher.  I'll have to look him up. 

[Guest Robert]

10 hours ago, Ezra said:

Theological liberalism (from Theopedia)

Theological liberalism, sometimes known as Protestant Liberalism, is a theological movement rooted in the early 19th century German Enlightenment, notably in the philosophy of Immanuel Kant and the religious views of Friedrich Schleiermacher.

It is an attempt to incorporate modern thinking and developments, especially in the sciences, into the Christian faith. Liberalism tends to emphasize ethics over doctrine and experience over Scriptural authority. While essentially a 19th century movement, theological liberalism came to dominate the American mainline churches in the early 20th century. Liberal Christian scholars embraced and encouraged the higher biblical criticism of modern Biblical scholarship.

Protestant liberal thought in its most traditional incarnations emphasized the universal Fatherhood of God, the brotherhood of man, the infinite value of the human soul, the example of Jesus, and the establishment of the moral-ethical Kingdom of God on Earth. It has often been relativistic, pluralistic, and non-doctrinal.

Liberalism birthed other movements with varying emphases. Among these movements have been the Social Gospel, theological Feminism, Liberation theology, Process theology, and the Jesus Seminar. One product of these movements is the heretical Myth of Christian Origins which denies the divinity of Christ and the authority of scripture.

The birth of the Modern Mess...

In all seriousness: thank you for posting that Ezra. That answers some questions and suspicions I had concerning this issue.

Edited October 14, 2016 by RobertS

[SavedOnebyGrace]

Back to the OP, nominal Christians come in many flavors at this present time:

• Worldly Christians - Christians who are more concerned about laying up treasures on Earth than they are in Heaven.
• Apathetic Christians - Christians in name only who don't care and have a decided lack of interest in the deeper meanings of the Bible.
• Traditional Christians - Christians who rely upon the traditions of Man and the edicts of their denomination.
• Once Saved, Always Saved Christians - Christians who believe since they were once saved or answered an altar call, they are now free to do anything they want.
• Hungry Christians - Christians whose only desire is to devour the full meat of the word, not because they have to, but because it satisfies their hearts desire.
• Laser Focused Christians - Christians so focused on one topic that they forgo other sections  of the Bible.
• Liberal Christians - Christians who keep Christianity out of their everyday life so they can blend in better with society's morals and ethics.
• Conservative Christians - Similar to Fundamentalist Christians, but they use politics as a way to influence others.
• Fundamentalist Christians - Christians who accept the Bible as written.  They are different than Reformed Christians and Calvinists.  They have a great deal of respect for God's Chosen People, and the Jewish State of Israel.
• Reformed Christians - Christians of many flavors: some Calvinistic; some embrace Replacement Theology, and other dubious theological constructs.
• Roman Catholic Christians - Christians who hold the traditions of man equal to the traditions and words of God.