tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12009297.post116398365235080381..comments2023-11-02T02:58:53.594-07:00Comments on From the Pew: Romanticizing the Early Church in Today's American TwilightSteve Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10297044571819912511noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12009297.post-1164041504888199782006-11-20T08:51:00.000-08:002006-11-20T08:51:00.000-08:00Steve,Great comments. Thoughtful.I think you are c...Steve,<BR/><BR/>Great comments. Thoughtful.<BR/><BR/>I think you are correct on the difference between the Roman Empire of the first century and the American Empire :) of the 17th century. But, I would add this caveat.........though a mature religion was brought to America, it was a religion that was corrupt and encumbered in some areas. I am a strong believer of separation of Church and State and the "early" Church in America was way too cozy with government. Thus,the Roger Williams, the Baptist experiment. So, I think some the institutional and hierarchal problems Church face today came over on the boat 400 years ago.<BR/><BR/>I would make a distinction between two groups of minimalists (reductionists) One group seeks to withdraw from culture; this is often driven by a pretribulational eschatology. They are also infected with greek dualism.(thus their hatred of the material) Many in the house Church movement fit this mold. The other group, which I am a part of, seeks to engage the culture in a meaningful way. I have come to realize we can not do Church like we have always done it and expect to make a cultural impact. Many people see this.........and they change a few things, window dressing mostly, and yet keep the same structure. It doesn't work. Yes, these Churches SEEM to be growing but a careful analysis of the numbers shows most of the growth is transfer growth....moving from one Church to another. Instead of window dressing the Church needs a complete, ground up make over. The first book that needs to be consulted is the book of Acts (along with the gospels.)<BR/><BR/>What was the original purpose and intent of the Church? That is THE question.<BR/><BR/>A final thought. Could we as a nation be losing our light (that Christian heritage) and culturally be sliding towards becoming just like Rome? It is now common to run into people who have no idea what Christianity is all about. We have raised a couple of generations now that have been raised outside the Church. They don't know the lingo. It is all foreign to them. I have hopes that the emerging Church may make a difference........but I am discouraged at times because it seems the emerging Church (many anyway) still like those "old" Church perks. <BR/><BR/>All will agree, Church in America is rapidly changing. <BR/><BR/>Thanks, Steve for the interaction.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com