Comments on: The Decline of Christian America http://blog.citychurchyork.com/2009/04/the-decline-of-christian-america/ For the Gospel and the City Wed, 07 Sep 2011 16:05:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Jason Lewis http://blog.citychurchyork.com/2009/04/the-decline-of-christian-america/#comment-96 Jason Lewis Mon, 04 May 2009 20:32:03 +0000 http://blog.citychurchyork.com/?p=631#comment-96 I think you have a particularly interesting observation here and yet I might suggest we dig a little deeper into these generational studies of sorts. Outside the context of religion, generational studies are all the buzz right now as I am sure you have seen. <br><br>What many historians find is that this process not unlike others and they often repeat themselves- see "The Forth Turning". Studies have shown that this process is cyclical which would suggest that the generation to follow the "non-affliated" may be the devoted once again. I might assume this would mean that the rebellion of one generation is a necessary evil for generations to follow.<br><br>I recall my father-in-law sharing with me several years ago the three chairs which is very similar to your four-step process... this of coure may come out of the SBC world so I am not sure if the PCA folks would approve.<br><br>The first generation is fired up, enthusiastic, and dedicated to God.<br>The second generation goes to services. They go through the motions, but the fire and zeal are missing.<br>The third generation doesn’t care. They give themselves completely over to sin.<br><br><a href="http://lavistachurchofchrist.org/LVSermons/ThreeChairs.htm" rel="nofollow">http://lavistachurchofchrist.org/LVSermons/Thre...</a> I think you have a particularly interesting observation here and yet I might suggest we dig a little deeper into these generational studies of sorts. Outside the context of religion, generational studies are all the buzz right now as I am sure you have seen.

What many historians find is that this process not unlike others and they often repeat themselves- see “The Forth Turning”. Studies have shown that this process is cyclical which would suggest that the generation to follow the “non-affliated” may be the devoted once again. I might assume this would mean that the rebellion of one generation is a necessary evil for generations to follow.

I recall my father-in-law sharing with me several years ago the three chairs which is very similar to your four-step process… this of coure may come out of the SBC world so I am not sure if the PCA folks would approve.

The first generation is fired up, enthusiastic, and dedicated to God.
The second generation goes to services. They go through the motions, but the fire and zeal are missing.
The third generation doesn’t care. They give themselves completely over to sin.

http://lavistachurchofchrist.org/LVSermons/Thre…

]]> By: Jason Lewis http://blog.citychurchyork.com/2009/04/the-decline-of-christian-america/#comment-33 Jason Lewis Mon, 04 May 2009 13:32:03 +0000 http://blog.citychurchyork.com/?p=631#comment-33 I think you have a particularly interesting observation here and yet I might suggest we dig a little deeper into these generational studies of sorts. Outside the context of religion, generational studies are all the buzz right now as I am sure you have seen. <br><br>What many historians find is that this process not unlike others and they often repeat themselves- see "The Forth Turning". Studies have shown that this process is cyclical which would suggest that the generation to follow the "non-affliated" may be the devoted once again. I might assume this would mean that the rebellion of one generation is a necessary evil for generations to follow.<br><br>I recall my father-in-law sharing with me several years ago the three chairs which is very similar to your four-step process... this of coure may come out of the SBC world so I am not sure if the PCA folks would approve.<br><br>The first generation is fired up, enthusiastic, and dedicated to God.<br>The second generation goes to services. They go through the motions, but the fire and zeal are missing.<br>The third generation doesn’t care. They give themselves completely over to sin.<br><br><a href="http://lavistachurchofchrist.org/LVSermons/ThreeChairs.htm" rel="nofollow">http://lavistachurchofchrist.org/LVSermons/Thre...</a> I think you have a particularly interesting observation here and yet I might suggest we dig a little deeper into these generational studies of sorts. Outside the context of religion, generational studies are all the buzz right now as I am sure you have seen.

What many historians find is that this process not unlike others and they often repeat themselves- see “The Forth Turning”. Studies have shown that this process is cyclical which would suggest that the generation to follow the “non-affliated” may be the devoted once again. I might assume this would mean that the rebellion of one generation is a necessary evil for generations to follow.

I recall my father-in-law sharing with me several years ago the three chairs which is very similar to your four-step process… this of coure may come out of the SBC world so I am not sure if the PCA folks would approve.

The first generation is fired up, enthusiastic, and dedicated to God.
The second generation goes to services. They go through the motions, but the fire and zeal are missing.
The third generation doesn’t care. They give themselves completely over to sin.

http://lavistachurchofchrist.org/LVSermons/Thre…

]]> By: Bill Phillips http://blog.citychurchyork.com/2009/04/the-decline-of-christian-america/#comment-31 Bill Phillips Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:49:16 +0000 http://blog.citychurchyork.com/?p=631#comment-31 Aaron, <br>Thanks for the excellent insights and your interpretation of the data. I wholly agree that our definition is too broad. Even in the very conservative church which intentionally endeavors to remain doctrinally pure, I find a lack of understanding and application among the older youth who have grown up in the church immersed in "the faith" and surrounded by "the faithful." One of the most cherished moments of my ministry is when a late teen or twenty-something comes to grips with the ramifications of the faith and decides to be devoted. Yet one reason this is so cherished is because it is too rare. Too many who grow up within reach and sound of the faith have unwittingly bought into remnants of other worldviews and formed an eclectic one that they would yet call Christian thought, doctrinally, it is not. Are they God's children? I agree with you, that one who would call himself a Christian will hold to Chrstian doctrine. Granted, some are His children who have not yet reckoned with the ramifications of what they profess to believe and the winnowing of believers and non is in the hands of God. Believers will be purified and , yes, we are all in process to that end even now. But the stark reality of your point presses on me to make the Gospel and its truths plain to my flock . Thank you. It will be with more fervency that I enter the pulpit this Sunday on account of your blog.<br>Bill Phillips Aaron,
Thanks for the excellent insights and your interpretation of the data. I wholly agree that our definition is too broad. Even in the very conservative church which intentionally endeavors to remain doctrinally pure, I find a lack of understanding and application among the older youth who have grown up in the church immersed in “the faith” and surrounded by “the faithful.” One of the most cherished moments of my ministry is when a late teen or twenty-something comes to grips with the ramifications of the faith and decides to be devoted. Yet one reason this is so cherished is because it is too rare. Too many who grow up within reach and sound of the faith have unwittingly bought into remnants of other worldviews and formed an eclectic one that they would yet call Christian thought, doctrinally, it is not. Are they God's children? I agree with you, that one who would call himself a Christian will hold to Chrstian doctrine. Granted, some are His children who have not yet reckoned with the ramifications of what they profess to believe and the winnowing of believers and non is in the hands of God. Believers will be purified and , yes, we are all in process to that end even now. But the stark reality of your point presses on me to make the Gospel and its truths plain to my flock . Thank you. It will be with more fervency that I enter the pulpit this Sunday on account of your blog.
Bill Phillips

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