Where has the Gospel gone?

I'm sick and tired of the shallow, thoughtless, man-centered, purpose-driven, growth=numbers, I want it my way, "I asked Jesus into my heart," culture-driven, Scripturally-ignorant Christianity that is rampant in our homes, schools, and churches. Whatever happened to the true Gospel? When did we come up with this "easy-believism" ideal that all you need to to is "ask Jesus into your heart" and then life is complete? What of sanctification? Did not God make it clear that true believers will grow? (Phil 1:6; Rom 8:29-30). Whatever happened to the radical, life-changing, Christ-centered, God-honouring Gospel that transformed people, inside and out? Once there was a time when being a Christian actually meant something--being a follower of Christ. Sinners who were saved by His great grace actually started to live godly lives. Whatever happened to "If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him"? (1 Jn 2:15) How many of us are so captivated by the things of this evil world that it shows up in all that we do (i.e. language, music, unwillingness to be educated, etc). How many of us claim to follow Christ and then with the same lips revel in coarse jesting and praise earthly idols? When Yahweh said, "Be holy, for I AM holy," was He saying "Act like the rest of the world and completely submit to worldly culture"?. I think not. Whatever happened to following God on His terms? Why must we continually try to re-shape the Sovereign Lord of the universe so that He fits into our finite perception of who we think He should be? How rash has the creature become, seeking to change the Creator? May He break us by any means necessary to show the folly of our ways. May He crush the sinful institution which is American Christianity, and build His church with faithful men and women who follow after Him in accordance to His most Holy Word, without regard to the cost. "Woe is me, for I am undone. I am a man of unclean lips, and Iive among a people of unclean lips" (Is 6:5). When Isaiah spoke, he did so in reference to himself and the people who claimed to be God's people, but were lost in sin. He would say the same today, only of the Church, not Israel. The same sinfulness that characterized Israel then defines the Church now. Where has the Gospel gone?

"Men Without Chests"- C.S. Lewis on the Abolition of Man

It would seem that our world has progressed to utter uselessness, despite Lewis' warnings some decades ago. Society has, in the name of "scientific pursuit," managed to eradicate the sentiments. Values cannot exist, for the universals which govern them are not recognized by the greater populace as a result of so-called scientific discovery. Lewis seeks to prove, not Christianity, nor even theism in general (though he ascribes to both), but simply the reality of a universal standard which determines the value of all things (generically here called the "Tao"). It is man's habitation within the confines of the "Tao" which allows his intellect to control the natural appetites (the head controls the belly by means of the chest). Men without chests are doomed to be governed by their appetites, and their "intellect" is forfeit. Man, seeking to gain control of all things through the discoveries of science, has ironically surrendered himself to that very natural world over which he claims domination. Herein lies the abolition of man.

Why Start a Blog?

To be honest, I really don't know. Time is never in an overabundance, and blogging consumes much of the little time that I do have. Please do not expect me to be posting frequently on this blog. However, I may pop in to leave a comment or question on yours (especially those of you that so often bless us in the blog world with your wisdom and theological insight). Have a great day in the infinite grace of Christ our Blessed Redeemer.

Starting out...

I guess I can give this blogging thing a shot. Whatever...