Decline of christianity in the united states

[Valerie]

Good questions. I can add another. What is a Christian nation?

“One nation under God” is part of how the forefathers saw us.

I realize Mennonites look at these things differently than other Christian’s denominations so he’s probably on the wrong forum for this to be raised.

How does God look at these things?

The Disciples were sent out to convert pagan nations to Christianity. The falling away happens at the end before Christs Second Advent.

[GaryK]

“One nation under God” is part of how the forefathers saw us.

I realize Mennonites look at these things differently than other Christian’s denominations so he’s probably on the wrong forum for this to be raised.

How does God look at these things?

The Disciples were sent out to convert pagan nations to Christianity. The falling away happens at the end before Christs Second Advent.

How do you define pagan nations? Does your definition include the apparatus of government being converted to Christianity?

[joshuabgood]

America is great because it was a Christian nation (despite its flaws); it will cease to be so when it ceases to be a Christian nation. And today, unlike 100 years ago, morally, politically, and spiritually, we are ceasing to be Christians.

1. What is your definition of a "Great Nation"?

2. What characteristics of America signify greatness?

3. Since when has Christianity ever been concerned with the "greatness" of nations?

Good questions. I can add another. What is a Christian nation?

Ill add two more. What time period in American History was great? Why was that a great period? And who was it great for?

[Valerie]

How does God look at these things?

The Disciples were sent out to convert pagan nations to Christianity. The falling away happens at the end before Christs Second Advent.

How do you define pagan nations? Does your definition include the apparatus of government being converted to Christianity?

I’m reading slowly through the Old Testament- God called out a people, His elect, to glorify Him among the nations with false Gods. That was the rest of the world. Christ came to reconcile the world to the Father through His death and Resurrection that whosoever believed in Him would have eternal life.

What did Christ commission the Apostles to do?

[barnhart]

The Disciples were sent out to convert pagan nations to Christianity. The falling away happens at the end before Christs Second Advent.

How do you define pagan nations? Does your definition include the apparatus of government being converted to Christianity?

I’m reading slowly through the Old Testament- God called out a people, His elect, to glorify Him among the nations with false Gods. That was the rest of the world. Christ came to reconcile the world to the Father through His death and Resurrection that whosoever believed in Him would have eternal life.

What did Christ commission the Apostles to do?

Preach the kingdom of heaven is here, no longer put your hope and confidence in the kingdoms of this world, they will soon pass away.

[Valerie]

How do you define pagan nations? Does your definition include the apparatus of government being converted to Christianity?

I’m reading slowly through the Old Testament- God called out a people, His elect, to glorify Him among the nations with false Gods. That was the rest of the world. Christ came to reconcile the world to the Father through His death and Resurrection that whosoever believed in Him would have eternal life.

What did Christ commission the Apostles to do?

Preach the kingdom of heaven is here, no longer put your hope and confidence in the kingdoms of this world, they will soon pass away.

No one is suggesting to put your confidence in kingdoms of this world (although millions of illegal immigrants seem to) however nations are known by the Gods they worship or false gods- this is an area I part ways here I do agree with other Christians perspectives on some things.

[barnhart]

What time period in American History was great? Why was that a great period? And who was it great for?

A century and a half ago the American church was convinced the world was getting better and we were on track to usher in the millennial reign of Jesus as technology, science and democracy continually solved age old problems like disease, hunger, poverty and society became less violent and more organized. Now we are convinced the opposite is true, we are so impoverished we can't afford children and we must chase out the foreigner lest we suffer. Neither of these emotional responses track actual facts, in many ways we are wealthier, more protected against disease and less likely to suffer from violence than we have ever been. But statistics do not keep the spirit of poverty, abandonment and fear at bay, only walking with Jesus can fo that, walking with him, seeing him work and hearing him say through the scripture "Fear not little flock for it is the father's will to give to you the kingdom..."

When I was born a woman could not apply for a credit card or a bank loan without permission from her father or husband. When my father was born it was legal to descriminate by race, when my grandfather was born they were burning black churches with people in them in the county where I was raised, and when my great grandfather was born there were many old men in society who spent their youth killing Indians, including women and children.

There are problems in today's society but be careful what voices you are listening to. There is no golden past to worship, each era of civilization has sins and strengths of its own. This should turn our eyes to Jesus and his present, eternal kingdom and away from the kings and kingdoms of this world. It is the voice of the antichrist who offers peace and safety in this world.

[JohnH]

America is great because it was a Christian nation (despite its flaws); it will cease to be so when it ceases to be a Christian nation. And today, unlike 100 years ago, morally, politically, and spiritually, we are ceasing to be Christians.

1. What is your definition of a "Great Nation"?

2. What characteristics of America signify greatness?

3. Since when has Christianity ever been concerned with the "greatness" of nations?

Good questions. I can add another. What is a Christian nation?

Blessed are a people whose God is the Lord.

And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people.

[Valerie]

1. What is your definition of a "Great Nation"?

2. What characteristics of America signify greatness?

3. Since when has Christianity ever been concerned with the "greatness" of nations?

Good questions. I can add another. What is a Christian nation?

Ill add two more. What time period in American History was great? Why was that a great period? And who was it great for?

It must be great as everyone wants to come here.

[JohnH]

No one is suggesting to put your confidence in kingdoms of this world (although millions of illegal immigrants seem to) however nations are known by the Gods they worship or false gods- this is an area I part ways here I do agree with other Christians perspectives on some things.

Very good point, Valerie. I find it interesting how certain people (one might even say "some people", although I'm not saying that) insist that America is both a really terrible place, certainly not a Christian people or nation at all, treats minorities horribly, and so on... and then simultaneously express that it is absolutely critical and essential that migrants from all over the globe be allowed to enter and stay here for their very lives.

It reveals an odd kind of American exceptionalism: apparently, America is better than every other single country on earth, and is so much better that it is in fact some kind of immoral injustice if, for example, people from Iran or India are expected to stay in Mexico instead of entering the United States. America is so, so much better than Iran, India, and Mexico that is actually un-Christian to even express a policy opinion that perhaps people from such places shouldn't be immediately accommodated and arrangements made for them to stay in America permanently.

I question if America is really so superior, and if it is not, then why it should be a very tenet of Christian faith & practice to ensure people can enter and stay in America.