There is a misconception out there about Christianity: If we can get people to "feel" their faith, then they will grow in Christ. The problem is that it doesn't work.
Two-thirds of all adults in America say they have "made a commitment to Christ." I was astounded to learn that 82% of adults have attended a Christian church, most for at least three months. In fact, "a vast majority of teenagers will spend a significant amount of their teen years participating in a Christian congregation... but within a decade, most of these young people have left the church and will have placed their emotional connection to Christianity on a shelf." (Unchristian, 74)
It is easy to have feelings, but it is totally different to have a Christian worldview. The same research revealed that young people who held eight Christian doctrines to be true had "a substantially different faith." They not only held onto their commitment to Christ, but served, gave and lived different in areas of morality.
So, starting Sunday, August 1, we are going to take about 10 weeks and talk about what I am calling a "Christian world view." What are the eight doctrines? I am listing them below and would like feedback on how you view each statement.
1. Jesus Christ lived a sinless life.
2. God is the all-powerful and all-knowing Creator of the universe and he still rules it today.
3. Salvation is a gift from God and cannot be earned.
4. Satan is real.
5. A Christian has a responsibility to share his/her faith in Christ with other people.
6. The Bible is accurate in all of the principles it teaches.
7. Unchanging moral truth exists
8. Unchanging moral truth is defined by the Bible.
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I think you hit the nail on the head Kevin. In fact I think that the lack of a thoroughly Christian worldview in the Church might be one of the most important Kingdom issues of our time and will affect the health of the Church for generations to come. The Christian worldview might even be refined further into four categories:
ReplyDelete1.God
2.Man
3.Problem
4.Solution
God- An eternal uncreated creator created all things. Since only beings with person-hood create, this creator is personal and thus has a specific plan in mind for his creation. This plan is revealed in the Bible.
Man- Man is a special creation of God. Made in His image and as a creation is accountable to his Creator. Man is both highly noble and seriously fallen.
Problem- All mankind has the deep sense that they have somehow offended their Creator and are under His displeasure and wrath. This causes a very real separation of God and man. The Bible defines this as sin.
Solution- A holy and just God became man in Jesus Christ and took the punishment and wrath in our place as our mediator. By Him we are reconciled to God. His coming was prophesied in Old Testament Scriptures and historically recorded in the New Testament scriptures.
I've been listening to the podcast. Keep up the good work!! Blessings,
-Tim
Great to hear from you... that thinking mind is still at work. Thanks for the feedback.
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