Is anybody else a little weary of this...?

Post by **_brody_in_ga** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 2:20 pm

I recently got a catalogue from a local Christian book store, and to say the least I was stunned. It was so worldly I could barely believe what I was seeing. Some of the book titles were very provocative. And the musicians in the music section looked like they stepped right out of a Black Sabbath video.

Is it me or is this getting consistently worse and worse? Anyone watch "Christian T.V" lately?

Also, the Fox network has just released a movie studio for "Christian" movies, I hate to say it, but I don't expect much from them.

Why is it that so many people can cash in on Jesus??

What are your thoughts?

Post by **_Mort_Coyle** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 2:56 pm

It's pretty pathetic. I was in Denver recently and went into a Family Christian Bookstore. Most of the store was filled with "Jesus junk": Trinkets and brickabrack, Thomas Kincaid coffee mugs and cute figurines, plaques and teddy bears. Most of the books seemed to be pretty shallow and very "me" oriented (how do *I* get the most out of life/dating/marraige/career/etc.). I found one bookcase, in the back, which contained a handful of books that actually had some theological depth.

Imagine if a pagan who had never encountered Christians or Christianity had his first exposure by walking into a Family Christian Bookstore? What impression would he be given of what Christianity is all about and what things Christians value?

But what *really* brought on the urge to hurl (or fashion a whip) was the Family Christian Bookstore credit card, complete with a picture of Golgotha:

This is not a joke.

Nowadays I have much more success at Borders or Barnes & Noble finding a good selection Christian reading material. It was at a B&N that I first came upon Steve Gregg's book, btw.

Post by **_TK** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 3:00 pm

hi Brody- i agree with you 100%. i am not sure if the verses below apply or not, but they seem to. there is too much familiarity with things of the world. many will argue that you have to be "relevant" to reach people. i'm not sure that i buy that. leonard Ravenhill said: "In the New Testament church it says they were all amazed - And now in our churches everybody wants to be amused." he said this quite a number of years ago and it is getting worse. i think there is a lot of truth in this statement. is there a place for "death metal" christian rock music? man i love music-- but you have to draw the line somewhere- dont you? this is a complicated issue but i believe it would be very difficult to argue that today's church is not seriously compromised. not long ago i listened to a sermon by a missionary named Paul Washer that i got off of sermonindex.net... anyways it was directed to high schoolers at a youth conference and he said that many HS students told him they would like to go with them to some of these other countries and help in the mission field- he essentially said that they would be extremely disappointed because these foreign churches probably wouldnt accept them as christians because they are so compromised by the world.

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“ I will dwell in them
And walk among them.
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.”

Therefore

“ Come out from among them
And be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you.”
18 “ I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters,
Says the LORD Almighty.”

2Cor 6:14-18

TK

Post by **_brody_in_ga** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 3:12 pm

Thanks Mort and TK,

I shudder to think about what unbelievers and other Religionist think when they see such rubbish.

What is really amazing is this stuff is so easy to buy into. Lets face the facts, the majority of believers dont read there bibles enough. And to make matters worse, most of the books that are sold appeal to every aspect of the flesh. Look good, feel good type stuff. David Wilkerson has said tons on this subject. I reccomend his sermon entitled "The reproach of the solumn assembly" Believe me, I have read the Joyce Meyer stuff, the T.D Jakes stuff, and all points in between. It is a bunch of psuedo-spiritual talk aimed at getting you to "claim this" and "Rebuke that".

I thank God through Jesus Christ that He lead me out of that kind of stuff.
Many of sincere Christians swallow hook, line, and sinker this stuff without question. And will look strangely at you if you question it.

Post by **_SamIam** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 3:14 pm

Isn't this the natural outcome when you cross seeker sensitivity, cultural relevance and the prosperity gospel?

M. Storrs

Post by **_brody_in_ga** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 3:21 pm

SamIam wrote:Isn't this the natural outcome when you cross seeker sensitivity, cultural relevance and the prosperity gospel?

M. Storrs

Yes. My question is, where does it stop? What will become of those who are involved in such?

Post by **_Steve** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 3:58 pm

I think it stops when revival comes—probably no sooner.

Post by **_TK** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 4:17 pm

Amen, Steve. I dont know about y'all but I'm ready.

Hey Steve-- on this topic of revival-- I know that you have lived through one.. can you provide any insight as what may be required for us to see revival? anything other than seeking it, and praying for it?

TK

Post by **_Derek** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 4:33 pm

Diddo to that.

Post by **_Steve** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 5:13 pm

Dave Schoel has just raised this question of revival on another thread. I will plan to answer there. However, it won't be right now, because I have to go pick-up my son. I may not be the first to answer there.