David you commented about a number of factors in decline in church attendance and it being because hasn’t stood on the bible in your perception. I see where you are coming from with that and it certainly has been true in my experience of growing up in the west of Scotland, that there has been a high proportion of nominalism that has not withstood times of testing.
At the same time, I think there is something that with respect you may have overlooked. I don’t think it is enough to “stand on the bible” but to be the “living stones” that the bible talks of. What do I mean by that? Well, having good biblical interpretation and application such that the word comes alive in the church, and folks form outside can look at churches and see that is something that they would desire for themselves, life in it’s fullest. If churches appear to be unattractive and even repulsive, then what is there to draw people to sit in a pew?
I personally find this to be an exciting time. A great time to “think outside of the box” and in creative ways of sharing good news with any BS or sense of coming across as “superiour” being picked up whereas at other times of higher nominalism may have got in under the radar.
I understand this will be a struggle for some and there may be times to come for many churches to die out before seeing any change. This is not easy. But then this is not without precedent with Israel being taken captive to Babylon until generations died out and there was a remnant left. Or with the destruction of the temple in AD 70. Or thinking more recently the church for the most part in 1930’s Germany being in support of Hitlers “positive Christianity” as opposed to Bonhoeffer’s “confessional Christianity”.
“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.” Matt 7:13 NLT
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
David you commented about a number of factors in decline in church attendance and it being because hasn’t stood on the bible in your perception. I see where you are coming from with that and it certainly has been true in my experience of growing up in the west of Scotland, that there has been a high proportion of nominalism that has not withstood times of testing.
At the same time, I think there is something that with respect you may have overlooked. I don’t think it is enough to “stand on the bible” but to be the “living stones” that the bible talks of. What do I mean by that? Well, having good biblical interpretation and application such that the word comes alive in the church, and folks form outside can look at churches and see that is something that they would desire for themselves, life in it’s fullest. If churches appear to be unattractive and even repulsive, then what is there to draw people to sit in a pew?
I personally find this to be an exciting time. A great time to “think outside of the box” and in creative ways of sharing good news with any BS or sense of coming across as “superiour” being picked up whereas at other times of higher nominalism may have got in under the radar.
I understand this will be a struggle for some and there may be times to come for many churches to die out before seeing any change. This is not easy. But then this is not without precedent with Israel being taken captive to Babylon until generations died out and there was a remnant left. Or with the destruction of the temple in AD 70. Or thinking more recently the church for the most part in 1930’s Germany being in support of Hitlers “positive Christianity” as opposed to Bonhoeffer’s “confessional Christianity”.
“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.” Matt 7:13 NLT