Where has the Christian church failed?

[Smalcald]

I don't think this nation could conceivably be called a Godly nation today, I don't know if it ever could have been called that, but definitely not now.

The question would be what is the Church that has failed, how do you define that, and secondly how can we point fingers in this way? The true Church of Christ must be separated from the visible Church of Christ. The true Church is made up of all true believers from the beginning of time and is eternal and unassailable. The visible Church is made up of these people and others who just go through the motions. This visible Church is fallible listing this way and that way. This is predicted in the New Testament, it should not surprise us.

I see many good Christian people in the US and world today and many Churches filled with the Holy Spirit, including some of the mega Churches, big is not always bad, not always good either.

At some point though we are going to have to start separating ourselves from US culture and society in a more meaningful way, and our visible Churches are going to have to be part of that. Part of my problem is when Churches seem to yearn for not only acceptance by the world, but yearn to be part and parcel of the world, to control the world.

But I think we all need to start with our own individual congregations in the towns and cities where we live, and I think this probably starts with our own Church leadership, who are they, what do they believe, and how do they live, who are we ordaining?

I also think we should be clear that what is happening on Television and radio has little to do with the actual day to day working of the Christian Churches in the US.

[IreneM]

When the church no longer preaches the Cross and sin

When the church no longer calls false doctrine false

When the church lets you say you are not resposnible for your sin

when the chuch no longer stands by Bliblical judgement

When the chuch offeres an easy Salvation and does not tell the cost

then yes the chuch has failed

but it is not the church it is the preachers

it is the ones standing behind the pulpet (sp) who have not stood and kept standing

they have given in to the world

just my 2 cents worth

In Christ

IreneM

[Smalcald]

Well I would agree except there are some congregations doing some of those things, some doing none of those things and some a mixed bag. It really does come down to what is happening in the individual congregation. With the splintering and wide variety of Protestant congregations out there, it is simply impossible to make blanket statements about them, there is just too much diversity.

There has been a general apostasy, which has been creeping in to our mainline denominations for about fifty years; this would deny the infallibility and inerrancy of the Holy Bible. A large number of seminary professors today don't even believe in the physical resurrection, virgin birth or miracles of Christ, basic things like that, let alone other doctrines.

In that sense those churches should shrivel and die and I think most of them are seeing a general decline.

[gypc]

The church hasn't failed.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If we're talking about the "Bride of Christ" the remnant who has made herself ready, walking in the Spirit and longing and waiting for Christ's soon return then that is one thing, but if we're talking about the Church as a whole then the church as we know it in America has failed. She's no longer salt and light, but preaches an easy gospel and lives a life spotted by the world. A social gospel of prosperity, materialism and entertainment is what is sought by the majority of church-goers in America...Mega Churches who offer this type of gospel are filled to overflowing. A watered down gospel flows from the pulpits of Christian churches today that does not convict of sin or lead people to repentance. Christians think all they have to do is give God 2 hours on Sunday morning and the rest of the week live for themselves, their jobs and their pleasures. Others think all they need to do is perform many good works, give charitably to those less fortunate, and take part in every church program to be good Christians.

This is the Laodicean church age in America, rich and increased with goods thinking they have need of nothing...knowing not they are blind, wretched, poor and naked.

Many, many people call themselves "Christian" in America but most are just religious. Religion is standing around the Cross...Christianity is getting on the Cross...dying to the flesh and living a life pleasing to Christ. For if any man be in Christ, he is a NEW Creature...Old things have passed away and All things have become new.

But the Church has mingled with the World...they live like the world and enjoy the ungodly worldly pleasures. Christians can sit hours in front of the TV, rent DVD's or go to movies that use Jesus' and God's name as common curse words...watch sexual immorality, perverse acts and listen to the foul profanity and any twinge of conviction is repressed or else they never feel convicted...Why? Because there is no separation...no consecration...no dedication unto the Lord...they've become numbed to the Holy Spirit's still small voice and allowed the filth of the world to dull their spiritual senses.

Judgment must first begin at the house of God...and it's coming to America's churches....then it's coming to America as a nation. This nation has turned from God and cannot be called a Godly nation any more...and the Church is asleep...yes she has failed!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Wow!! You let me have it but you are absolutly right. Great word!!!!

[IreneM]

A large number of seminary professors today don't even believe in the physical resurrection, virgin birth or miracles of Christ, basic things like that, let alone other doctrines.

Well if they feel this way they should not be ministers but who am I ??

to become a minister and not believe the Word of God is a contridiction

guess they think it is an easy way to make a living compromise the word of God compromise the needs of the congragation compromise the tenets of being a minister,

Oh my

Many will come in My name and I will say depart from me I never knew you

In Christ

IreneM