Sounds like my "Christian sojourn", Dave. I was brought up in the EUB denomination until I was 12 when our father decided the RSV was "from the devil" and left our long-time church home to take us to a "non denominational" church that met in a former little frame schoolhouse in our part of PA. That church grew exponentially because the…
Sounds like my "Christian sojourn", Dave. I was brought up in the EUB denomination until I was 12 when our father decided the RSV was "from the devil" and left our long-time church home to take us to a "non denominational" church that met in a former little frame schoolhouse in our part of PA. That church grew exponentially because the pastor (C. Jack Orr) preached FROM the Bible - expository preaching. The congregation followed along, word for word. He was more of a "fire and brimstone" type in his delivery. But the Word was held sacrosanct. I know so very much of the Bible from that rearing. Since moving back to PA from CA (in late 2000, I have yet to have a "church home"--I read from my devotionals and search Scripture for edification and instruction. Never too old to learn!!
This resonates. And as it is, the delineation by choice is indeed rather stark ... either the Light or Darkness. And when Mankind severs itself from God a Dark Night of Horrors looms. Many of us now see this more clearly in the aftermath of Health Terrorism and the covid deception.
And how so I remember reading of the Wicker Gate in Pilgrim's Progress ... and how to enter through the Wicker Gate is to embark upon the Straight and Narrow. And to leave the City of Destruction far behind. And how I remember seeking a huge 'The Wages is Sin is Death' written on the side of a Broadway building up near Columbia University. I remember how edgy stark that was, and really being my young twenties could not quite fathom the import of those words. But they, as you see, stuck.
I eschew a lot of theological debates, some of which seems to me to be an endless turning of a squirrel wheel to no good avail. But then there is basic Christian orthodox theology which leads to a Truth without which lies perdition just around the corner.
How profound, Dave! I would venture to say there is just as much "darkness" present in most church services as there are in any "den of iniquity" anywhere in this sin-sick world! Revival starts in the HONEST SEARCHING for TRUTH and admiting we are ALL sinners--only SAVED by G.R.A.C.E. (God's Righteousness At Christ's Expense).
The degree the Church has fallen is more than astonishing. Was the church ever more fallen than today in the West. That's a debatable item. But I have no idea as to how one ever would reach conclusive determination. And basically, I have to agree with your assessment as well as the acumen of insight regarding this matter. This is something which somehow eludes most people.
One thing I noticed early on once I started poking my nose around is how uniform the Reformation confessions of faith were, whether in England or on the continent. And how badly the political class wanted to control religion but could not thanks to the printing press.
God bless ... and take good care of yourself and your family!
And that's why the Catholic aspostate "church" had Gutenberg imprisoned as a "heretic". Gutenberg opened up the "Holy Script" for "every person" to read at their compunction--and NOT have to go to an "earthly priest" to interpret it for them. We have a HIGH PRIEST in the heavenlies--JESUS CHRIST THE LORD and the Holy Spirit to interpret Le Biblio for us!!
Sounds like my "Christian sojourn", Dave. I was brought up in the EUB denomination until I was 12 when our father decided the RSV was "from the devil" and left our long-time church home to take us to a "non denominational" church that met in a former little frame schoolhouse in our part of PA. That church grew exponentially because the pastor (C. Jack Orr) preached FROM the Bible - expository preaching. The congregation followed along, word for word. He was more of a "fire and brimstone" type in his delivery. But the Word was held sacrosanct. I know so very much of the Bible from that rearing. Since moving back to PA from CA (in late 2000, I have yet to have a "church home"--I read from my devotionals and search Scripture for edification and instruction. Never too old to learn!!
SHINE HIS LIGHT INTO THE DARKNESS!!
This resonates. And as it is, the delineation by choice is indeed rather stark ... either the Light or Darkness. And when Mankind severs itself from God a Dark Night of Horrors looms. Many of us now see this more clearly in the aftermath of Health Terrorism and the covid deception.
And how so I remember reading of the Wicker Gate in Pilgrim's Progress ... and how to enter through the Wicker Gate is to embark upon the Straight and Narrow. And to leave the City of Destruction far behind. And how I remember seeking a huge 'The Wages is Sin is Death' written on the side of a Broadway building up near Columbia University. I remember how edgy stark that was, and really being my young twenties could not quite fathom the import of those words. But they, as you see, stuck.
I eschew a lot of theological debates, some of which seems to me to be an endless turning of a squirrel wheel to no good avail. But then there is basic Christian orthodox theology which leads to a Truth without which lies perdition just around the corner.
How profound, Dave! I would venture to say there is just as much "darkness" present in most church services as there are in any "den of iniquity" anywhere in this sin-sick world! Revival starts in the HONEST SEARCHING for TRUTH and admiting we are ALL sinners--only SAVED by G.R.A.C.E. (God's Righteousness At Christ's Expense).
The degree the Church has fallen is more than astonishing. Was the church ever more fallen than today in the West. That's a debatable item. But I have no idea as to how one ever would reach conclusive determination. And basically, I have to agree with your assessment as well as the acumen of insight regarding this matter. This is something which somehow eludes most people.
One thing I noticed early on once I started poking my nose around is how uniform the Reformation confessions of faith were, whether in England or on the continent. And how badly the political class wanted to control religion but could not thanks to the printing press.
God bless ... and take good care of yourself and your family!
And that's why the Catholic aspostate "church" had Gutenberg imprisoned as a "heretic". Gutenberg opened up the "Holy Script" for "every person" to read at their compunction--and NOT have to go to an "earthly priest" to interpret it for them. We have a HIGH PRIEST in the heavenlies--JESUS CHRIST THE LORD and the Holy Spirit to interpret Le Biblio for us!!
AMEN AND AMEN!