WHY ARE CHRISTIANS GIVING UP THEIR FAITH IN THE USA?

[arthurfleminger]

What are the reasons for the abandonment of the Christian faith? Is it because the have too much, materialistically speaking, and have no need for Jesus or what He has to offer? Or maybe the lifestyles they are living forces them to choose between Jesus and their lifestyle, and they prefer their lifestyle to Jesus? Or maybe something else is the undderlying reason?

Whatever the reason, Christians are abandoning their faith, by the droves in the USA.
Survey: White evangelicals say US no longer a Christian nation:

Survey: White evangelicals say US no longer a Christian nation (religionnews.com)

 

[Bob-Carabbio]

WHY ARE CHRISTIANS GIVING UP THEIR FAITH IN THE USA?
They're not. They're only giving up their "Mental assent" (belief). You can't "give up" something you never had to begin with. YOU have to hold onto, and defend you "belief". FAITH, on the other hand, holds on to you.

And there's been no change. The U.S. NEVER WAS a "Christian nation".

 

[2ndTimeIsTheCharm]

You also have to consider the source of that survey. It's not a Christian website. You have to consider that they may be trying to sway Christian opinion in the US.

So take it with a grain (or a lot, lol!) of salt.

 

[maxwel]

I don't think genuine Christians are leaving the faith.

I think nominal Christians are just removing the label.


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[arthurfleminger]

I don't think genuine Christians are leaving the faith.

I think nominal Christians are just removing the label.


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I don't think genuine Christians are leaving the faith.

I think nominal Christians are just removing the label.


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Just wondering, how do you define a 'genuine' Christian as opposed to a 'nominal' Christian?

 

[Karlon]

What are the reasons for the abandonment of the Christian faith? Is it because the have too much, materialistically speaking, and have no need for Jesus or what He has to offer? Or maybe the lifestyles they are living forces them to choose between Jesus and their lifestyle, and they prefer their lifestyle to Jesus? Or maybe something else is the undderlying reason?

Whatever the reason, Christians are abandoning their faith, by the droves in the USA.
Survey: White evangelicals say US no longer a Christian nation:

Survey: White evangelicals say US no longer a Christian nation (religionnews.com)

some people who say they're Christians aren't really christians. i've met a bunch of them. i believe the devil knows his time is short so his temptations are more powerful, tempting & more numerous. because our world is increasingly growing more impatient that's another reason. by course, the devil knows everyone's weaknesses from the womb & before. he knows all our generational curses, disobediences, & strongholds. then there's the "familiarity breeds contemptment" factor. here's a real big reason: the devil will always offer something immediately where with God, answers usually take a while. and you have the "copycat" syndrome too.

 

[snowstreet]

You also have to consider the source of that survey. It's not a Christian website. You have to consider that they may be trying to sway Christian opinion in the US.

So take it with a grain (or a lot, lol!) of salt.

All surveys like Barna and Pew say the same thing. Christianity is in serious decline.

I think there are other issues contributing to the decline of members and in attendance.

Denominational churches are especially in decline. Most typically have an aging congregation with very few younger couples. Sometimes, no younger folks or families at all. I think there are a few root causes to the decline. One cause is television and the internet. Both have contributed to Christianity's demise. The two have exposed Christianity's divisiveness, judgmental and hypocritical side.

Just think of unbelievers, or even believers, watching Benny Hinn or Ken Copeland. Or watching high profile people like John MacArthur - the most hated pastor in America - or Paul Washer demonize nearly everyone and everything! People seldom hear an uplifting or encouraging word from these two. People see the badmouthing of others in the faith. Everything Christians do regardless of Denomination, or lack of, reflects on 'one another' especially to the unchurched and unbelievers.

Other issues with Churches losing congregants is the fact that people find most Denominational churches as boring and irrelevant. They conduct their services in the same structured way they have for 100 to 200 years! People, believers and unbelievers, aren't encouraged to return because everything is the same. They are not challenged -there is no depth - they aren't interested because it's always the same old - same old recycled stuff.

The topic that interests many unchurched is their interest in the future - AKA bible prophecy. Several churches I've gone to - NEVER speak or teach about prophecy. I've not heard a sermon on the last days in over 20 years!

Then the ones that do are often obsessed with pre-trib. Then there are those who believe 'prophecy' is useless because (I've heard it a dozen times) "there are more important things," OR - "How do we know what to teach since there are so many ways to interpret it".

Christians are destroying Christianity.

 

[maxwel]

Just wondering, how do you define a 'genuine' Christian as opposed to a 'nominal' Christian?

The word nominal means "in name only."
A genuine believer would be the opposite of that.

I don't have any definition for a genuine believer, but the bible does.
The bible indicates that genuine believers in the NT have had a transforming conversion experience, after which they are permanently changed in multiple ways.
Therefore, if someone leaves the faith, it would seem to indicate they underwent no such permanent change.



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[2ndTimeIsTheCharm]

The word nominal means "in name only."
A genuine believer would be the opposite of that.

I don't have any definition for a genuine believer, but the bible does.
The bible indicates that genuine believers in the NT have had a transforming conversion experience, after which they are permanently changed in multiple ways.
Therefore, if someone leaves the faith, it would seem to indicate they underwent no such permanent change.
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Yeah, the number of true Christians has always been much smaller than what can be seen:

Matthew 7:13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Matthew 22:14 “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”

Luke 13:23 Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, 24 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to."

Even among Israel:

Romans 9:27
Isaiah cries out concerning Israel:
“Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea,
only the remnant will be saved.

 

[Bob-Carabbio]

Just wondering, how do you define a 'genuine' Christian as opposed to a 'nominal' Christian?

Simple: A GENUINE CHRISTIAN is one who has been BORN AGAIN by FAITH in the perfect SIN OFFERING of Jesus on the cross. a person is CLEANSED of their SIN by Faith in that sacrifice, and is indwelled by the Holy Spirit.

A "Nominal Christian" is just somebody who's a "Church Member", but has never been Born Again of the Spirit.

 

[Nehemiah6]

Just wondering, how do you define a 'genuine' Christian as opposed to a 'nominal' Christian?

He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:11-13) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. (Rom 5:8-11)

So genuine Christians are (1) saved by grace, (2) born again, (3) justified by the blood of Christ, (4) reconciled to God through the death of His Son, (5) sanctified by the gift of the Holy Spirit, and (6) have had their sins forgiven and received the atonement.

Many -- if not most -- churches and denominations -- are failing their members and adherents by (a) failing to preach the true and full Gospel and (b) failing to teach sound Bible doctrine. There is a lot of emotionalism, but that is not enough.

 

[cv5]

Many -- if not most -- churches and denominations -- are failing their members and adherents by (a) failing to preach the true and full Gospel and (b) failing to teach sound Bible doctrine. There is a lot of emotionalism, but that is not enough.

The bogus "Churches" that I have encountered are liable for this. And much much worse. Like willfully promoting worldly occult personalities. Pretty shocking I have to tell you. And this to young people.....

 

[Karlon]

Simple: A GENUINE CHRISTIAN is one who has been BORN AGAIN by FAITH in the perfect SIN OFFERING of Jesus on the cross. a person is CLEANSED of their SIN by Faith in that sacrifice, and is indwelled by the Holy Spirit.

A "Nominal Christian" is just somebody who's a "Church Member", but has never been Born Again of the Spirit.

 

[Nehemiah6]

Furthermore repentance is necessary for salvation. And the "gospel" of Easy Believism fails to talk about either repentance or Hell. The first message from John the Baptist, Christ, and Peter was in essence "Repent and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out". That means TURN AWAY from your sins and idols and TURN TO the living God and the Lord Jesus Christ. This is what the apostle Paul told the Thessalonians: For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. (1 Thess 1:9,10) When many occultists in Ephesus were converted, the first thing they did was to gather up all their precious and expensive books on witchcraft and sorcery, make a bonfire, and burn them up (Acts 19).

 

[Karlon]

Simple: A GENUINE CHRISTIAN is one who has been BORN AGAIN by FAITH in the perfect SIN OFFERING of Jesus on the cross. a person is CLEANSED of their SIN by Faith in that sacrifice, and is indwelled by the Holy Spirit.

A "Nominal Christian" is just somebody who's a "Church Member", but has never been Born Again of the Spirit.

It doesn't seem someone can entitle themselves a "Christian" if they are not indwelt with the Holy Spirit. You would be missing out on so much life. A genuine Christian is a born again Christian. Read John 3:5. As soon as someone becomes born again, the Holy Spirit immediately indwells you & lives with you for the rest of your life.

 

[Bob-Carabbio]

It doesn't seem someone can entitle themselves a "Christian" if they are not indwelt with the Holy Spirit. You would be missing out on so much life. A genuine Christian is a born again Christian. Read John 3:5. As soon as someone becomes born again, the Holy Spirit immediately indwells you & lives with you for the rest of your life.

TRUE - BUT the "Nominal Christian" doesn't KNOW any of that - the "Kingdom of God is INVISIBLE TO THEM, since they don't have the Holy Spirit to open their eyes.

 

[Lanolin]

I wouldnt pay any attention to alarmist media esp racist things like what is a 'white' evangelical anyway. Someone in the KKK?

 

[MyrtleTrees]

What are the reasons for the abandonment of the Christian faith? Is it because the have too much, materialistically speaking, and have no need for Jesus or what He has to offer? Or maybe the lifestyles they are living forces them to choose between Jesus and their lifestyle, and they prefer their lifestyle to Jesus? Or maybe something else is the undderlying reason?

Whatever the reason, Christians are abandoning their faith, by the droves in the USA.
Survey: White evangelicals say US no longer a Christian nation:

Survey: White evangelicals say US no longer a Christian nation (religionnews.com)

Hi! Yes, it's sad that our country has turned away so much compared to earlier times in the USA! That happened lots of times to Israel in their history, in the BIble. I gather that having plenty has something to do with it - plus in any case - everyone has choices to make in life - God doesn't force people to follow Him though He wishes all to be saved. And the more often people repeateadly reject God, they tend to just get more and more hardhearted and less likely to come to repentance. We need to keep praying hard for spiritual revival to take place here in the USA. Maybe it will come at some time - I sure hope so! Here's some Bible passages that illustrate causes of a nation falling away from God, that I know and remember:
Ezek 16:49

49 Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.
KJV

Prov 30:7-9

7 Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die:

8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:

9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.
KJV
We live in times of ease, compared to back when people were fleeing to the USA to get freedom of relilgion, whichi they hadn't been able to get in England, etc. And we're past the difficulties of the 2 world wars, I World War and II World War. And past the difficulties of the Great Depression. The Bible says people are more likely to feel their need for God when they experience hardships.

 

[Lanolin]

Hoping americans will answer their own questions.
If your esteemed leader isnt a christian or setting a poor example its likely many of your citizens will follow suit.

But even if you have a christian in high places there wouldnt be much you could do since in the US you are free to worship any way you choose as its enshrined in your constitution. You dont have to be a christian, You could be a scientologist or mormon. Or you could just worship the TV. Your choice.

 

[Truth01]

Seventh day adventists are currently one of the fastest growing religios groups in the world. Other christian denominations may be in the decline though because they dont preach a clear gospel of the role that both faith and works play in a christians life. Contrary to what the bible says many christian churches say that works are meaningless and that once you have recieved christ in your life that is it and you dont have to make any further effort to be good and help others to be saved. They also do not preach on the process of sanctification. The result is that souls come to christ and are saved, but they wont know what to do with their lives afterwards and idle minds are the devils workshop. They also wont see any necessity in reaching out to their friends, family and those arround them with the word of God. Once church members stop witnessing for God then numbers fall and the future is not bright for those churches. They get new members but cant retain them because they dont have an accurate perception of faith, works and sanctification. It's like trying to fill a leaking bucket.