A very clever tactic of false teachers.

They will start by saying great things like "We are all broken" and "My church is filled with people who wouldn't normally be in a Church."

Honestly, a great start, no objection to this. I am not a strict, sombre cardigan jumper wearing guy, I'm quite lively and make people laugh (hopefully intentonally) and if SW did a Christianity documentary you'd see me wearing a colourful Joe Browns shirt along with some lively accessories.

But how they twist this great teaching is then starting to add things, essentially saying "Now don't be like a Pharisee and say you have to aspire to live a certain way- it's cool to celebrate the things of the world that God objects too" or "Oh yeah, it's totally cool to have other non Christian beliefs, because Jesus accepts everyone and annoyed the Pharisees of his day".

Some red flags, there.

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SatanBurger · 36-40, F

I think it's nice Jesus accepts everyone. I feel like it shouldn't be elitist because whether a person had done bad or good, their relationship with their spirituality and their journey isn't meant for anyone else. Whether they can find redemption or not isn't up for me, that's between them and God. But that's just how I see things

BritishFailedAesthetic · M

@SatanBurger

because whether a person had done bad or good

This is the Gospel, we are all bad, but Christ shed his blood on the cross so that those who trust in his sacrifice, can have their sins forgiven.

A works based salvation is not Christ's message, otherwise we'd all be in hell.

SatanBurger · 36-40, F

@BritishFailedAesthetic Well I disagree and it's part of the reason Christianity loses people. There's child soldiers who are kidnapped and to them killing doesn't have any emotion attached because it's how they are taught. But they may not realize until later.

But if I'm being honest, regarding religion, what's the point in believing your God if you can't change and it's stagnant. Then the person might as well find their own beliefs while your god becomes null and void.

The reason people give from turning away from Abrahamic faiths is because of that and I can't say I blame them for finding others who redefine their faith.

BritishFailedAesthetic · M

@SatanBurger I cannot understand your correlation between Christianity and child soldiers, I can certainly see how the faith would be AGAINST it.

As for turning away- well, people like that were not genuine Christians in the first place.

Christianity is about seeing the magnitude of our sin before a good and holy God and that Christ's shed blood on the cross is our only hope.

It's actually mostly progressive denominations losing their congregations. The church my wife and I attend has three absolutely rammed services in a large auditorium.

I wouldn't read this magazine out of choice, but The Spectator had an article how the author thought a revival could be underway.

Plus churches in the UK have been helped by migration from Christian brothers and sisters abroad.

SatanBurger · 36-40, F

@BritishFailedAesthetic Different life experiences, not everyone can help the bad decisions they made and ultimately that's between God and them. If there is not a forgiving component where people are allowed to change, then there's no point.

BritishFailedAesthetic · M

@SatanBurger

If there is not a forgiving component where people are allowed to change, then there's no point.

There is- it's the Gospel!