https://eportfolio.unideb.hu/view/view.php?id=8637https://mahara.teachingandlearning.ie/view/view.php?id=1161https://4portfolio.ru/user/slayalicantov-yahoo-com1/hookup-culture-real-or-mythhttp://mahara.hu/mahara/view/view.php?id=10952https://listovnik.sio.si/view/view.php?id=77639https://mahara.ph-noe.ac.at/view/view.php?id=76090https://mahara.wakhok.ac.jp/view/view.php?id=1236https://myportfolio.ac.nz/view/view.php?id=363439“There must be alternatives for our good man of faith. What are they?”
From my Protestant Christian standpoint? There aren’t.
While it’s true that things are either in alignment with what God wants or they aren’t, I strongly question that it’s a linear fashion. Think of a compass pointing to (magnetic) North. Not every direction is 180 degrees from the destination. But if you want to get there, sometimes you only have to turn a little. Fortunately, we’re only called to that destination. If it was based on works, I would have given up a long time ago.
I don’t think Christianity is dying. I think that today’s world has more in common with the fledgling church of the first three centuries than it did in the seventeen centuries in between. It survived persecution, and eventually came to dominate the pluralistic and hedonistic society that was Rome. Even if you’re an evolutionist, you have to admit that man’s capacity for intellect and his motivations have not changed much in the past two millennia.
The downfall of the church’s position of power in society just might be the greatest thing to happen to it in modern times. Throughout the bible, God demonstrates his might by using impossible odds. From the battle of Gideon to the feeding of the five thousand. He takes a position of weakness and overcomes. Today, as the church is in a position of social weakness, it has never had a stronger claim to the legitimacy of it’s message.
I don’t think there is an alternative for the man of faith. I think the most important thing he could do, right now, is to show that there is an alternative to the world. The doctrine of sin lets me drop all pretense. I don’t have to pretend to be a good person. The doctrine of atonement means I can do good works knowing that they’re not wasted; coming from a sinner. In a world where so many people have made such poor choices. There’s great appeal in that message.
I’ve only believed for the past two-and-a-half years. I was raised in a going-through-the-motions Methodist family and have always had doubts about their beliefs. Tomorrow, for the first time in a decade, both my parents are coming to the service (Presbyterian.) Maybe it’s not a solid indication of belief, but it’s hope. I can’t tell you how much that means to me.
195Jason April 23, 2011 at 10:30 pm
I’m inclined to agree Benjamin.
Jason´s last [type] ..Thoughts from CS Lewis
196stormy April 23, 2011 at 10:45 pm
You people are fucking ludicrous. You call yourselves Christians yet say women don’t have an inherent right not to be raped.
uhhh…I get it, you hate women and you hate your life. But God isn’t siding with you. So why don’t you just stop the facade. You’re not fooling anyone.
stormy´s last [type] ..I lack discernment I think that’s just what it is