Concerned...(to put it mildly)

During this past week or so, I have been preparing character sketches of the people we are introduced to in the first chapter of the book of Ruth. From these sketches, I have been attempting to draw lessons that can be learned from these individuals' lives and the choices that they made.

Elimelech as our first character seems to have made the mistake of falling into the sin-based, flesh-inspired heinous trap of pragmatism. Pragmatism basically states that truth is based on the practicality or the "positive" results of action. In short, "if it works, do it." So as not to present myself completely ingnorant of the subject, I have been investing some time into the study of this topic, it's American origins, and how it relates to the Christian.

In the course of this study, I have become aware of some movements, some ideas and some philosophies in Christianity today that have shocked and startled me. When in a Bible-teaching, Bible-believing church, it is easy to be unaware of what is going on in the realm of so-called Christianity.

I have come across the term hedonism which basically means that pleasure is the principle good, and should be the highest aim of the individual and society. Or it could be stated as: the idea that if one wants to be happy in life, then he must pursue a lifestyle of pleasure and gratification.

I have been exposed to a ministry called Cleansing Stream which believes that Christians can be indwelt by demons, and their ministry is to cast demons out of Christians! Their primary focus is on "partnering" with local pastors to "deliver" members of the congregation, Christians who have some how become demon-infested.

Another movement that I had not been cognicent of until today, and one that has grieved my soul, is called the "Emerging Church" or "Emerging Church Movement." To some degree, it embraces the relativism and loss of Biblical standard that has marked the churches of America for the last several decades. However, I did not realize the true extent of this movement until I began to read some of the statements of folks who have allied themselves to this movement. Consider these quotes:

"We can draw on the traditional forms of worship where they are appropriate but should realise that these forms tend to connect with middle-class, middle-aged, white people with a preference for pseudo-classical music (See John Drane’s McDonaldization of the Church)." - George Lings

"While many congregations on Sunday mornings around New Zealand may be 'greying' and shrinking, as in other parts of the world there are a growing number of people and groups who are gathering in other ways and on other days to reflect on their faith journey and to celebrate it." - Rosemary Neave

"So this is the path I’m on… I am seeking a place that is in pursuit of the things I long for. If I can’t find a place like that, I’ll find some people who are in pursuit of the things I long for, and together we’ll create such a place. The path I’m on is the pursuit of these things I long for in the church." - Brother Maynard

"If there's one single thing that characterises emerging forms of church across the western world it's that they are networked. There is no one leader or format or theology, nor is there likely to be." - Steve Collins

"If we were able to bring some church leaders of 100 years ago in a time machine to visit planet earth as it is today, we would rightly expect them to be totally overwhelmed.
The world of the third millennium is light years removed from what they would be familiar with. Virtually no aspect of society would be unchanged, we would expect them to feel insecure, disorientated and confused until that is they stepped into one of the more traditional churches, where the chances are they would feel instantly at home!
This is of course both good and bad. Good in the sense that it emphasises the fact that the message of the gospel is constant and unchanging but bad in that while the world has changed beyond all recognition the church has slipped further and further into irrelevancy. A hundred years ago the church held centre stage, all the main institutions of our society had their roots in or were deeply influenced by the Christian faith. Today the church has been pushed to the margins and Christians must 'earn' the right to be heard rather than expect the 'right' to be listened to." - Chris Stoddard

"then we will throw our easter vigil (sat march 26th, 8pm-1am) called 'RISE'. - rise it is not a 'worship service' in the trad./modern church sense (no sermons, bulletins, hymns, coffee hour, linear progression...) but a what we call a 'worship party,' a bash in honor of the risen Christ, open to saints and sinners, believers and non-believers and anyone from the 'highways and byways.' we don't throw this party to congratulate ourselves because we believe in Christ, but to give thanks to God because Christ believes in us, first loved us, gave up life for us, and rose to invite us all to become his friends and live his reign.
at worship parties we don't begin with a church service and add in cultural elements. but throw a real party at which Christ hosts, apostles tend bar and wait tables, and where anyone off the streets is welcomed to attend.
at this 'mother of all parties' we: pop corks (to toast the resurrection), feast to new life (with holy communion and high carb 'fat things'), toss darts at the devil (to show hell has been crushed), baptize new apostles (to give light to the righteous), install art, jam to bands, kick back with djs and party beyond 1999." - Karen Ward

"'sanctus 1' A new expression of network Church based in Manchester City Centre.
We are committed to a journey of exploration into worship, evangelism, friendship and Christian living. It is hoped that the Christian community that emerges will challenge both the culture and the church
A welcoming Christian community who believe that God is not defined by theology. We welcome dialogue between different theological positions but also recognise that dialogue involves listening and real listening involves change.
Believing that God is already in the world and working in the world. We recognise God's indefinable presence in music, film, arts and other key areas of contemporary culture. We wish to affirm and enjoy the parts of our culture that give a voice to God whilst challenging any areas that deafen the call of God and hence constrain human freedom.
Experience is vital and experience defines us. We aim to provide an environment is which people can experience 'the other'. In which the vastness of God can be wondered at whilst reflecting on the paradox of the human who was God, Jesus.
We believe in holistic faith. Our worship should reflect and involve this holism and allow freedom to explore new ways in which to wonder at God. We draw from the vast resource of the Christian spiritual journey and are not afraid to look into the past to find a way into the future.
We are a dynamic group exploring the journey together; we are not the finished article but are sincere in our search. Our journey is one of exploration but fortunately it is a journey in which we have a guide that lights our path and walks beside us in times of blessing and of trouble." - Ben Edson

"emerging church is a passion for people who are stuck with a congregation of people who don't understand half of what they say. emerging church has indeed emerged from the big stone doors of the so called local church to move themselves (usually a 18-30s group) down the road to the pub. the emerging church can now express themselves in the language they use (graphics, candles, trance music, beer, whatever)." - Anna Dodridge

"As we enter the twenty-first century, participation in traditional Church life is on the decline as more and more thinking Christians struggle to reconcile the reality of the world they live in with the myths and dogmas of the traditional churches. And yet the traditional church insists that these are fundamental to a proper understanding of Christianity. The churches focus on its myths and dogmas, are clouding what should otherwise be a triumphal message of hope for the world. Why isn’t the world responding in gratitude to the message of the church? The reality for Christianity today is far from positive. The church is seen as increasingly marginal, irrelevant, conservative, bigoted, sectarian and self absorbed and an entire generation has now grown up estranged from any church culture. Can Christianity, which is radical by nature, be radically re-energised and re-oriented, to play a relevant role in the life of the twenty-first century? If Christianity is about connecting people to create a love and hope-filled society, can it fulfil this role, or will it become so marginal, as to loose an effective voice altogether." - Michael Edward

I will not take the time to respond to these quotes, but I list them simply to demonstrate the state in which some of Christianity has fallen. It is no wonder that the Bible states that there will be "terrible times" in the last days. It is no wonder that Christ Himself commanded us to "watch and pray" to the end that we would not fall into temptation. May God have mercy on America. May God have mercy on us.