Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

The Surprising Reason Why More Americans Are Not Going To Church
The Atlantic via msn ^ | 08-2016

Posted on 08/28/2016 2:41:41 PM PDT by Salvation

click here to read article


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 321-340341-360361-380 ... 401-419 next last
To: Elsie
And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.

To love God and each other is the basis for the Ten Commandments. Not a contradiction. HMMmmmm . . .

341 posted on 08/29/2016 12:43:06 PM PDT by BipolarBob (Our security has been hacked, media and politicians bought off and we're being brainwashed.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 336 | View Replies]

To: Mr Rogers
If the Lord wants me to rest on Saturday, and do no work, His Spirit can instruct me.

So you're using the "It's all Gods fault" defense at Judgement Day?

. But there is nothing in the New Testament that indicates I am bound by the Old Covenant.

#1 The Ten Commandments are not a covenant. They are Gods Law not subject to debate. See my post #183 for verses indicating the permanence of His Law which will stand throughout eternity. Jesus had a custom which was to worship on the Sabbath day and keep it holy(Luke 4:16). He did this throughout His lifetime (and even unto death). He is our Example. From Adam and Eve until the present day, man has kept the Sabbath. It is the only Commandment that starts with the word "REMEMBER". Why is that?

342 posted on 08/29/2016 12:56:22 PM PDT by BipolarBob (Our security has been hacked, media and politicians bought off and we're being brainwashed.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 328 | View Replies]

To: MHGinTN
Matthew 7:21 is revealed by JESUS in John 6:28 Then they inquired, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” 29 Jesus replied, “This is the work of God: to believe in the One He has sent.”…

Belief includes repentance:

Luk 13:3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.

Act 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"
Act 2:38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Repent of what? Sin:

2Co_12:21 lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced.

Repentance of sin, genuine repentance, is absolutely required in order to belief AND be saved.

Mere belief without repentance is empty. It's meaningless. When we don't repent of sin we're practicing lawlessness, iniquity. Repentance includes obedience to the law of God. Not obeying the law of God is lawlessness.

Mat_7:23 And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'

343 posted on 08/29/2016 1:13:37 PM PDT by DouglasKC
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 324 | View Replies]

To: DouglasKC

I might add, what is sin? It is transgression of the law. Those who wish to do away with the law wish to eradicate the very standard which defines sin. The magical thinking of let’s do away with the law and live by faith forget the law will always be valid. If one follows Gods law and lives by faith then all is well. They go hand in hand. They are both properties of God.


344 posted on 08/29/2016 1:49:46 PM PDT by BipolarBob (Our security has been hacked, media and politicians bought off and we're being brainwashed.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 343 | View Replies]

To: BipolarBob

“So you’re using the “It’s all Gods fault” defense at Judgement Day?”

Nope. I’m using “The Blood of Jesus” defense. I suggest you consider it.

“They are Gods Law not subject to debate.” - Bipolar Bob

“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.” - Jesus Christ, quoted in Mark 2

“Therefore let no one act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day — things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.” - Apostle Paul, Col. 2:16-17


345 posted on 08/29/2016 1:49:58 PM PDT by Mr Rogers (We're a nation of infants, ruled by their emotion)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 342 | View Replies]

To: BipolarBob; DouglasKC

“I might add, what is sin? It is transgression of the law.”

Do those who have not heard the Law sin? Was there sin before the Law was given?

“The magical thinking of let’s do away with the law and live by faith forget the law will always be valid.” - Bipolar Bob

“3 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. 2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?

7 Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” 9 So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.” - Apostle Paul

“23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” - Apostle Paul, also in Galatians 3


To repeat for emphasis:

“But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian [The Law], for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.”


346 posted on 08/29/2016 1:55:51 PM PDT by Mr Rogers (We're a nation of infants, ruled by their emotion)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 344 | View Replies]

To: Mr Rogers
“Therefore let no one act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day — things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.” - Apostle Paul, Col. 2:16-17

Let's put this into context. Paul was addressing an issue in which people wanted a clarification. There was a continuous efforts to commemorate different events. With each new emperor brought in new "holy days" for feasting. There were ceremonial sabbaths which are not to be confused with the weekly Sabbath. Each priesthood change wanted to make another change to differentiate from the previous. Paul says it is all a mere shadow. And it is. He certainly was not addressing a change to the Ten Commandments and would be horrified to think others would take it so.

347 posted on 08/29/2016 1:57:30 PM PDT by BipolarBob (Our security has been hacked, media and politicians bought off and we're being brainwashed.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 345 | View Replies]

To: Mr Rogers
“But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian [The Law], for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.”

It is no contradiction to anything I have said. The believer who follows the law in his heart (see New Covenant) and has faith is no longer under (the condemnation of) the law.

Did Jesus not say "Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me"?
There are obligations to discipleship. And man always has been rebellious. His inward self may chafe at the idea of a yoke but without Gods Law there is chaos.

348 posted on 08/29/2016 2:05:45 PM PDT by BipolarBob (Our security has been hacked, media and politicians bought off and we're being brainwashed.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 346 | View Replies]

To: Elsie

“ROME taught you this ‘fact’!”

Yep. By “Rome” i’d mean the Magisterium passing down the New Testament and the teaching of every single person of Christian faith before, say, 1300-1400.

I’m sure you understand what I meant when I said “know” - it’s faith. You have it too, seems like very strongly, and valid, just differently, as in where “2 or 3 are gathered”. We’re all on the same side here.

Peace,
RG


349 posted on 08/29/2016 2:06:56 PM PDT by ReaganGeneration2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 333 | View Replies]

To: Salvation

I think it’s because a lot of churches are straying from biblical teachings and saying a lot of sins are ok.


350 posted on 08/29/2016 3:39:13 PM PDT by Trillian
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Mr Rogers
Nope. I’m using “The Blood of Jesus” defense.

That doesn't work for willful transgressors or deniers. Without the law there is no standard or definition for sin.

“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath."
We are to enter into a rest with God. Away from work and worries to meditate upon Him. Will just any old day do? God designated the seventh day for He said six days we are to labor but rest the seventh. Who argues with God about which day? If He wanted it to be the first day He would have said so. Instead He wrote it in stone so that it cannot be blotted out (see Col 2:14). It is permanent.

351 posted on 08/29/2016 3:53:48 PM PDT by BipolarBob (Our security has been hacked, media and politicians bought off and we're being brainwashed.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 345 | View Replies]

To: BipolarBob

You feel free to argue with the Apostle Paul. Or Jesus. I’m wasting time and breath on someone who wants to live under the Law - and who will be condemned by it.


352 posted on 08/29/2016 4:51:06 PM PDT by Mr Rogers (We're a nation of infants, ruled by their emotion)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 351 | View Replies]

To: Mr Rogers
You feel free to argue with the Apostle Paul.

I don't argue with Paul I agree with him. I understand him in ways that you may not.

353 posted on 08/29/2016 4:53:44 PM PDT by BipolarBob (Our security has been hacked, media and politicians bought off and we're being brainwashed.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 352 | View Replies]

To: Elsie

Thank you.


354 posted on 08/29/2016 5:25:33 PM PDT by annalex (fear them not)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 229 | View Replies]

To: GingisK

>>The church exists to provide jobs for the clergy, who are otherwise useless.

Things were different when the schools were flourishing and empowering the lay folks with discerning knowledge to keep the pulpit in check.


355 posted on 08/29/2016 5:41:16 PM PDT by HLPhat (It takes a Republic TO SECURE THESE RIGHTS - not a populist Tyranny of the Majority)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 77 | View Replies]

To: Mycroft Holmes

B.I.N.G.O!

It’s supposed to be a local gathering of the body of Christ for mutual edification — Not a country club.


356 posted on 08/29/2016 5:52:23 PM PDT by HLPhat (It takes a Republic TO SECURE THESE RIGHTS - not a populist Tyranny of the Majority)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 92 | View Replies]

To: Freedom_Is_Not_Free

What changes specifically?


357 posted on 08/29/2016 6:34:39 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 62 | View Replies]

To: Elsie

If they go to Mass they hear the Bible read to them, OT, Psalms, NT and Gospels.


358 posted on 08/29/2016 7:01:20 PM PDT by tiki
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 337 | View Replies]

To: Salvation

Read my post. I wrote the latest change I hate there.

All the prayers I used to say now must be sung to a difficult song. I don’t like singing prayers so that change makes me mad and less want to go to church. I certainly doing get to say these prayers anymore.

Even my mother hates this change and she LIKES to sing in church, but she finds she can’t sing these difficult songs. She said her church is now like mine. The songs are so difficult to sing that only her choir is singing them, along with a few diehards like her.

How about all the hand holding and hand gesturing. Sorry, we didn’t do that back in the 1970s and mass was just fine then.

All these chances piss me off and make me not want to go to mass because I can’t participate fully as I used to because I REFUSE to embrace these asinine changes.

What do you mean “what changes”. You know what changes the Catholic mass as made the past 20 years.


359 posted on 08/29/2016 7:02:41 PM PDT by Freedom_Is_Not_Free (The Confederate Flag is the new "N" word.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 357 | View Replies]

To: Elsie

God Bless You. Peace be with you. May God teach you love and to love others and to lose your bitterness and pettiness.


360 posted on 08/29/2016 7:04:19 PM PDT by Freedom_Is_Not_Free (The Confederate Flag is the new "N" word.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 231 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 321-340341-360361-380 ... 401-419 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson