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Without turning this forum into a 'hill of foreskins' (Joshua 5:3), I believe we can still have fun with this 'sensitive' topic.

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From the tribulation to the anichrist. Whether your tastes run from Gary DeMar to Tim LaHaye or anywhere in between, your input is welcome here.

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Generation Y and Z Confirms Futurism is true

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  • #31
    Christianity existed for its first several hundred years as a minority religion; I don't see why it can't do that again.

    Heck, the things churches are dealing with in the Western world are small potatoes compared to what would sometimes happen under the Roman Empire.

    Comment


    • #32
      Originally posted by Terraceth View Post
      Christianity existed for its first several hundred years as a minority religion; I don't see why it can't do that again.

      Heck, the things churches are dealing with in the Western world are small potatoes compared to what would sometimes happen under the Roman Empire.
      This week, anyway.
      1Cor 15:34 Come to your senses as you ought and stop sinning; for I say to your shame, there are some who know not God.
      .
      ⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛
      Scripture before Tradition:
      but that won't prevent others from
      taking it upon themselves to deprive you
      of the right to call yourself Christian.

      ⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛

      Comment


      • #33
        Originally posted by Terraceth View Post
        Christianity existed for its first several hundred years as a minority religion; I don't see why it can't do that again.

        Heck, the things churches are dealing with in the Western world are small potatoes compared to what would sometimes happen under the Roman Empire.
        The reason I believe it's vastly different this time than any other time in history is, once again, our communication technology. Yes, the Roman Empire was brutal, but it didn't have the technology we have. Christians could still avoid, for the most part, Roman authorities. This can't possibly happen under the surveillance apparatus we live under now, much less 10-20 years from now. I'm not sure there even is an "underground" for Christians to go today to avoid this.

        Also, you have to consider our mindset is totally different. How many Christians do you know today could live off the grid and survive?

        Also factor in the technological propaganda out there. It's much easier and far quicker for authoritative body or even a societal or cultural collective to persuade the masses against a particular group with smears and false accusations than it was hundreds of years ago.

        Comparing our modern area to that of the Roman Empire is like night and day. It's really strange that Christians don't consider the differences in our eras, unless they just willingly blind themselves to that fact.

        Comment


        • #34
          Originally posted by seanD View Post
          The reason I believe it's vastly different this time than any other time in history is, once again, our communication technology. Yes, the Roman Empire was brutal, but it didn't have the technology we have. Christians could still avoid, for the most part, Roman authorities. This can't possibly happen under the surveillance apparatus we live under now, much less 10-20 years from now. I'm not sure there even is an "underground" for Christians to go today to avoid this.

          Also, you have to consider our mindset is totally different. How many Christians do you know today could live off the grid and survive?

          Also factor in the technological propaganda out there. It's much easier and far quicker for authoritative body or even a societal or cultural collective to persuade the masses against a particular group with smears and false accusations than it was hundreds of years ago.

          Comparing our modern area to that of the Roman Empire is like night and day. It's really strange that Christians don't consider the differences in our eras, unless they just willingly blind themselves to that fact.
          In order to make Christianity illegal and hunted, the US Constitution would have to be changed or dissolved, as well as many other countries' constitutions. If that happened, more than just Christianity would be at stake. The entire western civilization would probably fall.

          Not saying it can't or won't happen, but it isn't likely, at least in our lifetimes.

          Comment


          • #35
            Originally posted by Sparko View Post
            In order to make Christianity illegal and hunted, the US Constitution would have to be changed or dissolved, as well as many other countries' constitutions. If that happened, more than just Christianity would be at stake. The entire western civilization would probably fall.

            Not saying it can't or won't happen, but it isn't likely, at least in our lifetimes.
            It wouldn't arise from demolition but from erosion. Constitutions don't have to be changed for membership in a voluntary society - which the church essentially is - to become untenable. Laws don't have to be changed, they only have to be unenforced or selectively enforced. There is enough happening already to show how easy it would be to achieve. History likewise shows that you don't have to actually ban a religion, all you have to do is define (say) sedition in such a way as to make the preaching of significant points of Christian doctrine seditious. (Noting the recent interment in "facebook prison" of one group because it posted a quote from Mother Theresa which facebook chose to define as hate speech.)
            1Cor 15:34 Come to your senses as you ought and stop sinning; for I say to your shame, there are some who know not God.
            .
            ⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛
            Scripture before Tradition:
            but that won't prevent others from
            taking it upon themselves to deprive you
            of the right to call yourself Christian.

            ⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛

            Comment


            • #36
              Originally posted by Thoughtful Monk View Post
              I don't know if Christianity will be pushed underground in the west. I think it will get harder and harder to find churches and people who are anything beyond Christian in name only. I think too many churches will become social clubs with a steeple. That assumes they survive the various scandals that are breaking out. I think the more committed believers will be in smaller churches, some form of house church, and maybe a niche in a big church. Its going to take God's guidance to find them.
              Yeah, I think Christianity will become more "acceptable" to the likes of Buttigieg and the media -- homosexuality, later term abortion is no problem -- don't pay much attention at all to the antiquated Bible, just "peace, love and anything goes".
              The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.

              Comment


              • #37
                Originally posted by Thoughtful Monk View Post
                I don't know if Christianity will be pushed underground in the west. I think it will get harder and harder to find churches and people who are anything beyond Christian in name only. I think too many churches will become social clubs with a steeple. That assumes they survive the various scandals that are breaking out. I think the more committed believers will be in smaller churches, some form of house church, and maybe a niche in a big church. Its going to take God's guidance to find them.
                Most of that happened 1500 years ago and hasn't changed overly much since - apart from a bit of deck-chair shuffling 500 years ago.

                Originally posted by Cow Poke View Post
                Yeah, I think Christianity will become more "acceptable" to the likes of Buttigieg and the media -- homosexuality, later term abortion is no problem -- don't pay much attention at all to the antiquated Bible, just "peace, love and anything goes".
                There is a number of theologians complaining about just that procedure - it's kind of a cold war between opposing groups in academic theology. Missio Dei is also taking a fair bit of damage - though it's only superficial thus far.
                1Cor 15:34 Come to your senses as you ought and stop sinning; for I say to your shame, there are some who know not God.
                .
                ⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛
                Scripture before Tradition:
                but that won't prevent others from
                taking it upon themselves to deprive you
                of the right to call yourself Christian.

                ⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛⊛

                Comment


                • #38
                  Originally posted by Sparko View Post
                  In order to make Christianity illegal and hunted, the US Constitution would have to be changed or dissolved, as well as many other countries' constitutions.
                  Like that's not happening in slow selective increments already. 10-20 years, when progressivism becomes the dominant view, piece of cake.

                  Comment


                  • #39
                    Originally posted by seanD View Post
                    Like that's not happening in slow selective increments already. 10-20 years, when progressivism becomes the dominant view, piece of cake.
                    The biggest problem is that most things they would like to outlaw in Christianity (like speaking out against homosexuality) would also apply to Islam, and they are afraid to piss off Islam.

                    Comment


                    • #40
                      Originally posted by Sparko View Post
                      The biggest problem is that most things they would like to outlaw in Christianity (like speaking out against homosexuality) would also apply to Islam, and they are afraid to piss off Islam.
                      This hasn't stopped European governments from nonetheless proceeding to do just that. They just don't mind being selective in who gets prosecuted.
                      "I am not angered that the Moral Majority boys campaign against abortion. I am angry when the same men who say, "Save OUR children" bellow "Build more and bigger bombers." That's right! Blast the children in other nations into eternity, or limbless misery as they lay crippled from "OUR" bombers! This does not jell." - Leonard Ravenhill

                      Comment


                      • #41
                        Originally posted by Sparko View Post
                        The biggest problem is that most things they would like to outlaw in Christianity (like speaking out against homosexuality) would also apply to Islam, and they are afraid to piss off Islam.
                        What makes you think they won't appease one while eliminating the other? Since when is hypocrisy and double standard not a common feature of progressivism? In fact, they might even work in conjunction in eliminating Christianity.

                        Comment


                        • #42
                          Originally posted by Thoughtful Monk View Post
                          I don't know if Christianity will be pushed underground in the west. I think it will get harder and harder to find churches and people who are anything beyond Christian in name only. I think too many churches will become social clubs with a steeple.
                          Doubtful, IMO. There are plenty of churches which fit that description now, but those are the ones which are hemorrhaging members. It's those who are least committed to the ideal which are most likely to ditch it entirely when it becomes inconvenient.
                          Enter the Church and wash away your sins. For here there is a hospital and not a court of law. Do not be ashamed to enter the Church; be ashamed when you sin, but not when you repent. – St. John Chrysostom

                          Veritas vos Liberabit<>< Learn Greek <>< Look here for an Orthodox Church in America<><Ancient Faith Radio
                          sigpic
                          I recommend you do not try too hard and ...research as little as possible. Such weighty things give me a headache. - Shunyadragon, Baha'i apologist

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                          • #43
                            Somehow the Chinese underground church does it in a culture where everyone is watched. Also, so do the North Koreans. Yeah the consequences are brutal but somehow Christianity survives there. We may just have to accept being comfortable and being Christian won't be possible at the same time. Including my own, I sometimes I think posts like this represent someone struggling with being Christian won't be comfortable anymore.

                            I do think you're overstating how technology impacts our lives. Yes, what you say about the digital mob is true. But really, how many people and groups have been negatively impacted. Not that many. Frankly, I'm more concerned with what might happened if a progressive government lead by say President Sanders or President Harris came to power.

                            Full disclosure: I have started being more careful on what I post to the Internet. I will no longer post some of my opinions on issues if I view them as too potentially controversial. I keep those between God and me.
                            "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." Hosea 6:6

                            "Theology can be an intellectual entertainment." Metropolitan Anthony Bloom

                            Comment


                            • #44
                              Originally posted by Thoughtful Monk View Post
                              Somehow the Chinese underground church does it in a culture where everyone is watched. Also, so do the North Koreans. Yeah the consequences are brutal but somehow Christianity survives there. We may just have to accept being comfortable and being Christian won't be possible at the same time. Including my own, I sometimes I think posts like this represent someone struggling with being Christian won't be comfortable anymore.

                              I do think you're overstating how technology impacts our lives. Yes, what you say about the digital mob is true. But really, how many people and groups have been negatively impacted. Not that many. Frankly, I'm more concerned with what might happened if a progressive government lead by say President Sanders or President Harris came to power.

                              Full disclosure: I have started being more careful on what I post to the Internet. I will no longer post some of my opinions on issues if I view them as too potentially controversial. I keep those between God and me.
                              You do bring up a good point. If there ever was such a thing as a technocratic dictatorship, it's definitely in China. They pretty much have gone full blown dystopian nightmare. Though I don't know much about the nuances of Christianity there, from what little I've read, churches are allowed as long as they remain under the control of the state. I could be wrong though. Also, again without knowing the social structure in China, it could be an entirely different culture than the aggressive leftist intolerant culture that bullies everyone in the west, and for some strange reason, has powerful influence.

                              And I'm with you in regards to politics, which is why I'll probably vote this election for the first time in like two decades. Definitely not because I'm confident or even like Trump, but because if a democrat gets in the House this time around, we can pretty much kiss our first and second amendment rights goodbye for good. Those two amendments are hanging by a thread (though private enterprise seems to have already taken rather aggressive precedence against the first).

                              Comment


                              • #45
                                Originally posted by Cow Poke View Post
                                Yeah, I think Christianity will become more "acceptable" to the likes of Buttigieg and the media -- homosexuality, later term abortion is no problem -- don't pay much attention at all to the antiquated Bible, just "peace, love and anything goes".
                                Sounds like Denmark.

                                Comment

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