One Half of One Percent of Young People Have a Biblical Worldview

Scott T. Brown on September 14, 2012  from NCFIC

What will happen to a nation where almost no one has a biblical worldview? The Barna organization has released data which indicates that only 9% of adults in America have a biblical worldview. But what is even more startling is that among individuals eighteen to twenty-three years old, the number is nearly zero. This is a nation where Barna says approximately four in ten adults and one in three teenagers claim to be born again.*

 The research data showed that one pattern emerged loud and clear: young adults rarely possess a biblical worldview. The current study found that less than one-half of one percent of adults in the Mosaic generation – i.e., those aged 18 to 23 – have a biblical worldview, compared to about one out of every nine older adults. – Barna.org

Perhaps we should also consider if this situation is partly a reflection of the loss of biblical discipleship practices in the church and the family. I believe that it is. Further, there is hope for families and churches which are faithful to emulate biblical discipleship patterns which are always age integrated, bible saturated, walk-along-talk-along, relational, and generational in nature.

Here is something to rejoice in. Our God takes delight in mightily using small numbers of dedicated men who are faithful to Him. Let us commit ourselves to building churches that disciple and nurture faithful “aliens and strangers” in an increasingly godless society. As darkness increases around us, may the light of the gospel shine brighter and brighter through our lives, our homes, and our churches.

 *(Think Like Jesus, by George Barna p209)

 

On the Presidential Endorsement of Same-Sex Marriage

 For two decades the frog has been in the pot while the temperature has been slowly turned up. Yesterday, it was finally cooked and served to the American people in a sauce so thick as to cover the rancid flavor of the dish.

The process began with the Bush presidencies and their toleration for homosexuality. It was advanced in full by the Clinton Administration. It has now reached its logical zenith under Obama. So we should not be surprised by the official announcement that the President of the United States of America has finally declared to the world his opposition to the historical, common law and biblical meaning of marriage. President Obama may be remembered for many things, but few are as fundamental in its treason to his countrymen, to his oath of office and to the living God, then his decision to use the presidency to redefine a definition of marriage that was established on Day Six of Creation and has been the benchmark of civilization for 6,000 years.

Mark your calendars—May 9, 2012, the President of the United States of America finally crossed a line from which there is no return without repudiation and repentance. Terrorists are dangerous. The economy is a real and present danger. But there is simply nothing other then the holocaust of the unborn which imperils the safety of our country or places our people in jeopardy as does the leader of the Western world publicly raising his fist at the Heavens and declaring that the bedrock institution of society, ordained of God and meant to be protected by the state, is little more than a convention of convenience for the children of Sodom to transform the meaning of something which is precious to Jesus Christ and a living picture of His love for the Church, into a legally protected justification for perversion, and vehicle of hatred aimed directly at that love.

Doug Phillips, President Vision Forum Ministries

 

Have You Fortified Your Walls

by Charles H. Spurgeon

"And they fortified Jerusalem unto the broad wall." Nehemiah 3:8

Cities well fortified have broad walls, and so had Jerusalem in her glory. The New Jerusalem must, in like manner, be surrounded and preserved by a broad wall of nonconformity to the world, and separation from its customs and spirit. The tendency of these days break down the holy barrier, and make the distinction between the church and the world merely nominal. Professors are no longer strict and Puritanical, questionable literature is read on all hands, frivolous pastimes are currently indulged, and a general laxity threatens to deprive the Lord's peculiar people of those sacred singularities which separate them from sinners. It will be an ill day for the church and the world when the proposed amalgamation shall be complete, and the sons of God and the daughters of men shall be as one: then shall another deluge of wrath be ushered in. Beloved reader, be it your aim in heart, in word, in dress, in action to maintain the broad wall, remembering that the friendship of this world is enmity against God.

The broad wall afforded a pleasant place of resort for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, from which they could command prospects of the surrounding bycountry. This reminds us of the Lord's exceeding broad commandments, in which we walk at liberty in communion with Jesus, overlooking the scenes of earth, and looking out towards the glories of heaven. Separated from the world, and denying ourselves all ungodliness and fleshly lusts, we are nevertheless not in prison, nor restricted within narrow bounds; nay, we walk at liberty, because we keep His precepts. Come, reader, this evening walk with God in His statutes. As friend met friend upon the city wall, so meet thou thy God in the way of holy prayer and meditation. The bulwarks of salvation thou hast a right to traverse, for thou art a freeman of the royal burgh, a citizen of the metropolis of the universe.
—Morning and Evening, originally published in 1896

What Happens When You "Fall" in Love?

This morning, my daughters and I were listening to a sermon they talked about Biblical love and what it is. You always hear, from the world's perspective, about "falling" in love and "falling" out of love. Marriages starting and stopping because two people fell into and out of love. But what does God say about love? While we were talking about the world's view, I asked them, "What happens when you fall?" My youngest daughter said, "You get hurt." I said, wow, you are so right. Anytime you FALL, you get hurt. And falling in love you will be no different, you will get hurt. God says that love is an action. If you LOVE someone you will be

"...patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, not proud, not rude, not self-seeking, not easily angered, you will keeps no record of wrongs, you will not delight in evil but rejoice with the truth, you will always protect, always trust, always hope, always persevere."

So you see, there is no room for "falling" in and out of love with someone. Thank you, Hannah, for your insight.