Administrators Gail Posted March 10, 2011 Administrators Posted March 10, 2011 Chinese think that Christianity is the reason the West is so prosperous What do we do with that? Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
skyblue888 Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 That is very true. sky Quote "The merits of His sacrifice are sufficient to present to the Father in our behalf." S.C.36.
Members abelisle Posted March 10, 2011 Members Posted March 10, 2011 This sounds like the "Weber thesis": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Protestant_Ethic_and_the_Spirit_of_Capitalism He felt that the Protestant work ethic encouraged capitalism and now the Chinese propose that it also encouraged democratic government. Maybe this is why Africa with its myriad religions hasn't advanced as rapidly as the West and maybe this is why so many third world peoples join the Adventist church? They see more than Biblical truth in Adventism. They see personal prosperity and cultural advancement within their immediate societies. But I also feel that tribal affiliations still trump religious belief systems, at least when it came to the Hutus and Tutsis in the Rwandan genocide that took place. Sad to say, even Adventist pastors were involved in the killings. Alex Quote We are our worst enemy - sad but true. http://abelisle.blogspot.com
Moderators lazarus Posted March 10, 2011 Moderators Posted March 10, 2011 Western "Christianity" has done what other dominant powers have done. It has used force, war, slavery, conquest, imperialism and evangelism to spread its culture and message. The prosperity that the West enjoys is just as much about "rape and pillage" as much as the blessings of God. IMHO. Quote Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence. Einstein
Administrators Gail Posted March 10, 2011 Author Administrators Posted March 10, 2011 Remember the Biblical early church? How did it spread influence? Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
Moderators lazarus Posted March 10, 2011 Moderators Posted March 10, 2011 Remember the Biblical early church? How did it spread influence? Good questions. The influence of the early church came at the price of prosperity. Many lost jobs, homes and lives. They lost earthly property to gain a heavenly one. Could it be that when the Christian church began to gain prosperity it's earthly spiritual influence waned? Quote Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence. Einstein
doug yowell Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 Western "Christianity" has done what other dominant powers have done. It has used force, war, slavery, conquest, imperialism and evangelism to spread its culture and message. The prosperity that the West enjoys is just as much about "rape and pillage" as much as the blessings of God. IMHO. Ah yes, once again the evil empire strikes! Just as bad as National Socialism and Communism and probably worse!! And that's why the Communists fear us, or want to emmuilate us? I'm expecting President Obama to bang his shoe on the podium and exclaim,"We will bury you!" during his nest U.N. appearance. Quote
Members phkrause Posted March 10, 2011 Members Posted March 10, 2011 Good questions. The influence of the early church came at the price of prosperity. Many lost jobs, homes and lives. They lost earthly property to gain a heavenly one. Could it be that when the Christian church began to gain prosperity it's earthly spiritual influence waned? Good points Lazarus. Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted March 10, 2011 Members Posted March 10, 2011 Chinese think that Christianity is the reason the West is so prosperous What do we do with that? There just as jealous of us as all the 3rd world countries. That's one of the reason's they and the Japanese have been buying up all our business's. Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Members phkrause Posted March 10, 2011 Members Posted March 10, 2011 Ah yes, once again the evil empire strikes! Just as bad as National Socialism and Communism and probably worse!! And that's why the Communists fear us, or want to emmuilate us? I'm expecting President Obama to bang his shoe on the podium and exclaim,"We will bury you!" during his nest U.N. appearance. I doubt that. Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Moderators lazarus Posted March 10, 2011 Moderators Posted March 10, 2011 The book of Revelation doesn't spend much time on the passing phases of 20th century political movements but Apostate Christianity is shown to be the great threat to freedom in the world. Would you disagree? Quote Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence. Einstein
Administrators Gail Posted March 10, 2011 Author Administrators Posted March 10, 2011 Lots of great input, Laz! Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
Members phkrause Posted March 10, 2011 Members Posted March 10, 2011 The book of Revelation doesn't spend much time on the passing phases of 20th century political movements but Apostate Christianity is shown to be the great threat to freedom in the world. Would you disagree? Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
skyblue888 Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 The very fact of the separation of Church and State is the very reason why God has been able to bless and make the United States of America prosper. sky Quote "The merits of His sacrifice are sufficient to present to the Father in our behalf." S.C.36.
Moderators lazarus Posted March 10, 2011 Moderators Posted March 10, 2011 Interesting, because the Church that the state was to be separate from was..... Quote Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence. Einstein
Moderators lazarus Posted March 10, 2011 Moderators Posted March 10, 2011 Lots of great input, Laz! Thanks, tryin my best just to share my views, not start a fight. Quote Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence. Einstein
skyblue888 Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 Interesting, because the Church that the state was to be separate from was..... Lazarus __________________________ was what? Quote "The merits of His sacrifice are sufficient to present to the Father in our behalf." S.C.36.
skyblue888 Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 The book of Revelation doesn't spend much time on the passing phases of 20th century political movements but Apostate Christianity is shown to be the great threat to freedom in the world. Would you disagree? Yes I do agree. That is it. When the Apostate Church shall influence the State to enforce her dogmas she will make an image to the first beast of Rev.13 and the persecutions of the past will be rekindled. By allowing the church to wield the power of the State, the United States'government will suffer national ruin. sky Quote "The merits of His sacrifice are sufficient to present to the Father in our behalf." S.C.36.
Sonny Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 The USA is the new Rome. It is the Capital of greed. The US is part of Lucifer's system. It is not of God, although it had Christian roots. The reason this nation is blessed is because so far the US Government hasn't coerced in matters of faith. Hence the first amendment. Quote
Moderators Bravus Posted March 10, 2011 Moderators Posted March 10, 2011 Small but significant correction: that's not 'the Chinese', it's 'a Chinese'. Quote Truth is important
skyblue888 Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 The USA is the new Rome. It is the Capital of greed. The US is part of Lucifer's system. It is not of God, although it had Christian roots. The reason this nation is blessed is because so far the US Government hasn't coerced in matters of faith. Hence the first amendment. Sonny, according to Rom.13 the government of the United States belongs to "the powers that be" which are "appointed by God". Rom.13:1. "Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil." Rom.13:2-4. This is what I believe to be the missing link that we need in order to understand the Old Testament as far as civil penalties were concerned under the theocracy especially that the Isrealites had elected the sword. The powers that be are instituted of God in order to control those who cannot control themselves, that is, those who are outside of Christ. sky Quote "The merits of His sacrifice are sufficient to present to the Father in our behalf." S.C.36.
Dr. Shane Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 He felt that the Protestant work ethic encouraged capitalism and now the Chinese propose that it also encouraged democratic government. Indeed the Protestant work ethic must have a lot to do with it. Protestant countries have, for the most part, been more prosperous than Catholic and Orthodox countries have been. However, that said, Hong Kong is very prosperous and I am not sure what their religious make-up is. I don't think slavery or rape has anything to do with it. Many cultures that have engaged in both slavery and rape have never become prosperous. In the United States, the north and west (which had always banned slavery) has been more prosperous than the southeast where slavery was allowed. Quote Pastoral Family Counselor... Find me at www.PostumCafe.com Author of Peculiar Christianity
Dr. Shane Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 The very fact of the separation of Church and State is the very reason why God has been able to bless and make the United States of America prosper. sky I think the protection of private property has played a big role in the prosperity of the United States. Quote Pastoral Family Counselor... Find me at www.PostumCafe.com Author of Peculiar Christianity
Dr. Shane Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 Interesting, because the Church that the state was to be separate from was..... Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican. The concept of religious liberty first gained roots in the United States with the forming of Rhode Island by a Baptist minister. I think that is one of the greatest contributions that the US has made to the world. Quote Pastoral Family Counselor... Find me at www.PostumCafe.com Author of Peculiar Christianity
Moderators Bravus Posted March 10, 2011 Moderators Posted March 10, 2011 Here's the book from which the quote is drawn: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Civilization-West-Rest-Niall-Ferguson/dp/1846142733 Worth reading the description of the book. And the reader reviews. Quote Truth is important
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