I Am Christian

Attributing to Jesus the Causes Promoted by the Deceiver of Mankind

"Sexual and social libertines have little interest in discrediting Christianity. They’re far more interested in refashioning it—in claiming Christ, and his vicar, as their supporters. The secularist social agenda is more palatable to impressionable young people if it complements, rather than competes with, the residual Christianity of their families. The enemy has no interest in eradicating Christianity if he can sublimate it to his own purposes. The greatest trick of the devil isn’t convincing the world he doesn’t exist—it’s convincing the world that Jesus Christ is the champion of his causes."

I wanted to post that last sentence at the top of my EP profile, but they're too stingy with characters.

The ultimate source is http://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2014/02/our-pop-culture-moment

The article was written in early 2014 by Most Reverend James D. Conley, STL, the Catholic bishop of Lincoln, Nebraska. It offered a rosier view of Pope Francis than is at all tenable at this point in time. Still, it's a great quote.

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Intelligently

It's been a while since we had the opportunity to have a good chat regarding subjects of this (or any) nature. Entirely aside from the content of this post or the article it mentions, I've had an extremely difficult time over the past year in regards to modern Christianity and it's growing list of glaring deviations from Scriptural truth/command.

It's discouraged me to a point that I've never known before and forced me to evaluate and re-evaluate my own Christian life, beliefs, etc. Maybe that's a healthy thing in most cases but for me, it's been a hard realization of just how seriously fallen humanity is, myself included.

I realize you didn't expect this type of answer from me, but were I to give you one without all of the above added to it, I could only say that I agree with the quoted statement, and it upsets me greatly to have to do so.

It is one thing to read the words, "even the very elect will be deceived if it were possible" and quite another to watch this unfolding before your very eyes on a day by day basis.

conceptualclarity · M

I am also discouraged by the proliferation of compromise, error, and heresy as well. It's getting to the point where we need to find a replacement for the term "evangelical" when so many professed evangelicals are Bible-tramplers who defile the term.

"It is one thing to read the words, "even the very elect will be deceived if it were possible" and quite another to watch this unfolding before your very eyes on a day by day basis."

I'm not sure exactly what you have in mind as far as a day to day basis goes. I would certainly be interested in seeing you write a story about it.

As for your reference at the start of the second paragraph, I would certainly be wiling to discuss with you on p.m if it would help you or if you have valuable things you'd like to share but only privately.

Intelligently

I would appreciate it. My experience with you so far has been one that I think I'd be comfortable sharing some more sensitive details. I don't know when I'll be able to take the time to collect my thoughts and attempt to open that discussion with you but I'm a little relieved that you offered to let me bounce some of these things off of you. I've been so distrustful of the "Christians" I know that I've essentially created a barrier between myself and everyone strictly for the sake of preserving what little faith I have left in people.

That sounds dramatic, I know, and I apologize for that. It isn't my intention to come off that way.. it just happens to be the reality of the situation.

At any rate, thank you. Hopefully I'll be in touch soon.