What has happened to Christianity?

Question

I just finished reading Summa contra Gentiles (Aquinas) and while his arguments are not compelling there is no doubt that the man was brilliant. But that was 700+ years ago. What is happening today, Josh McDowell with his Mc-apologetics (to go with your Mc-Fries and Mc-Shake)? Tim Lahaye and his scholarly Left Behind series? Or maybe Ravi Zacharias (he is kind of light and cheesy, you know)? Or even better Lee Stroble (nuff said).

What has happened?

Answer 1

Laziness.. no thought necessary when we can simply regurgitate the thoughts of those in the past. No need to read our bibles.. we'll be happy to be told what they say.. No need to think about God or study anything.. if we show up for church Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night, we'll be spoon-fed what to believe, which leaves more time to watch t.v. (gosh I hope I set my TiVo to record Jericho on Wednesday!)

Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins didn't even use original thought in that series.. again, regurgitate what others have told us and make a mint off of it.

Your point is well made.

Answer 2

Jack; Brilliant intellectual thought in Christianity has not decreased, in fact, it has increased in the 700+ years since Aquinas wrote Summa. Instead, a great many more people can read and a great amount of material is published for those people who have no desire to delve very deeply into very weighty matters. Where once no more than 5 or 6 books may have been written in a century and by only the most enlightened intellects, now thousands of books are published every year. While most of these might be of a superficial nature, there is still more great work being done than in Aquinas' day (though, unlike Aquinas' day, such thought is antithetical to prevalent intellectual dogma and is therefore marginalized). To paraphrase a true master; Where McLite & Cheesy did abound, brilliance did abound all the more(Romans 5:20). This site will lead you to a bibliography of Francis Schaeffer
http://www.rationalpi.com/theshelter/writings.html
This site is dedicated to the works of C.S. Lewis
http://cslewis.drzeus.net/books/nonfiction.html
These authors are two of my favorites. While I think you'll find in them a good starting point that will keep you busy for awhile, I hasten to add that you should not ignore the work of the masters that inspired Aquinas, Schaeffer and Lewis. I hope this is helpful though I wonder if you wouldn't have preferred a reflection of your own satanic pov :)

Answer 3

In my opinion, This is what has happened to Christianity:

II Tim 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Answer 4

I think Christianity is the same as it's ever been. I think all religions are subject to being used as tools by corrupt and self-serving people to control and manipulate others. I'm not knocking religion but acknowledging that throughout history, brillant ideas that could otherwise benefit mankind and urge him toward the greater good are bastardized and twisted into something that destroys its original intent.

That's just my opinion.

Answer 5

Lost the Love of God in their hearts.
When Christianity was young and new, and it toke heart and soul to hold to this religion and power was with the people of God then things happened, but because the standard has been lowered to included more and more people because churches love money more than truth or God, you see what we have today; Revelation 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Revelation 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

Now understand even in these words you must realize God does fool people because you cannot buy the Gold that God does give you because the gold is the truth and wisdom you get from suffering; Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
Revelation 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Now also you cannot buy the white rainment spoken of here, for that is the Holy Spirit and being born again; John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Same is true of the wise and foolish virgins, oil being the Holy Spirit that cannot be bought with money; Matthew 25: 6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
We live in darkest of times so much so that if God did not stop it none would be saved; Matthew 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

Answer 6

Political correctness and WIMP CITY has taken over.

Answer 7

Follow the money trail.

Answer 8

If you don't apply soap when you wash you may never get clean.............same with the Bible......if you don't apply what you read, you will never be a Christian.............even if you say you are one.

Answer 9

Very well said.

Answer 10

Money. It is all about money!