Ideal Christian Environment?

[SlaveofChrist]

Good day everybody!
I was sitting there discussing with my friends our upringing and how it affected our Christian lives. As Americans I think we were at a disadvantage spiritually. Although its easy to find God the American mentality is that "I can take care of myself" "I have all that I need" etc.
We also have so many distractions. There is a million religions out there and every turn of the TV channel reveals some harlot tempting a man into lust.
On the contrary people who find God is third world countries often have nothing to rely on but Him. They have no possessions to get them through, they need all the help that they can get.

What do you think? What culture, country, family, etc. is the most ideal for producing the best Christian possible??

[Freak]

Today @ 08:03 PM post located here (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=74784#post74784)
SlaveofChrist:

Good day everybody!
I was sitting there discussing with my friends our upringing and how it affected our Christian lives. As Americans I think we were at a disadvantage spiritually. Although its easy to find God the American mentality is that "I can take care of myself" "I have all that I need" etc.
We also have so many distractions. There is a million religions out there and every turn of the TV channel reveals some harlot tempting a man into lust.
On the contrary people who find God is third world countries often have nothing to rely on but Him. They have no possessions to get them through, they need all the help that they can get.

What do you think? What culture, country, family, etc. is the most ideal for producing the best Christian possible??

Some of the most dedicated believers are in fact in third world countries. These believers are being persecuted and that strengthens the soul/spirit. Studies from groups like Voice of the Martyrs have reported that this year alone over 100,000 believers overseas will end up dying for their faith in Christ. In North America we have become soft and a by product of our culture. Even though there has been attempts on my life here in America due to my faith in Jesus (which has strengthen my spirit/soul), I still am watchful for the things of the world attempting to entangle me. When persecution comes the spirit man becomes strong but when persecution is absent the soul can become soft and here in America we have little outright persecution directly threatening our lives.

[Pilgrim]

Well it does seem to be historically true that religions thrive and even grow in the midst of trial or persecution. However, I think things were pretty good where I grew up.

[DBoone]

I found the perfect church...

... but then I started attending.

:dufus:

[darcutm]

04-21-2003 @ 02:03 PM post located here (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=74784#post74784)
SlaveofChrist:

Good day everybody!
I was sitting there discussing with my friends our upringing and how it affected our Christian lives. As Americans I think we were at a disadvantage spiritually. Although its easy to find God the American mentality is that "I can take care of myself" "I have all that I need" etc.
We also have so many distractions. There is a million religions out there and every turn of the TV channel reveals some harlot tempting a man into lust.
On the contrary people who find God is third world countries often have nothing to rely on but Him. They have no possessions to get them through, they need all the help that they can get.

What do you think? What culture, country, family, etc. is the most ideal for producing the best Christian possible??

All environments are ideal. The world is the world. In America we have become desensitized to the point where it takes more and more and we have snowballed to the point where when would look as sins at being so much worse than people who live in the bush on the other side of the world. But let's not forget that the world lies in darkness, all of it. That's why Jesus said go into all the world. Whether you live in the city or the farm in the US or Rwanda, sin is sin. We seem to place priority or rank upon sin, but sin is sin and it's really all the same. And just because the sinful nature of the US is so much "worse" than that of the 3rd world countries doesn't make them an ideal fertile Christian farm. They have their temptations, no matter how "mild" we may see them as in the States.
Also remember that Christians are called to be the light of the world. Light can't exist without darkness. So if we in countries ruled by such fleshly sinful environments think about it, what better place is there to be even brighter than in countries so dark.