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A society in trouble Are things really this bad?
In conclusion The danger of continuing to pretend that we don't have a problem is likely to end up making matters worse. Turning a blind eye to evils in society will encourage miscreants to continue on their errant path unabated. Haven't we been here before you will be thinking? Politicians are renowned for not taking any form of action that might lessen their popularity, potentially losing them votes at the next General Election. Then there is the little (big!) matter of 'The Grooming Gangs', which successive Governments prefer not to talk about, or take any assertive action, again for fear of losing votes. This attitude does not impress the public. Individual church leaders are also wary of treading a contraversial path when examining certain areas of the Bible in case some parishioners are offended and simply walk away never to return. This reluctance to take a stand doesn't impress the public either. The Church should arguably issue guidance to vicars rather than giving them a free hand to think and deliver sermons in a manner that suits them. Leadership from the top is somewhat lacking. When we asked Justin Welby how he would advise church leaders on contentious issues he said it wasn't part of his remit to intervene, advise or give opinions. The obvious outcome of this approach is that there is little consensus of belief in the Anglican Church on contentious issues and of course all training establishments think their own thoughts and act in any way they see fit. There is little or no oversight. Some declare that certain tracts of The Bible are open to different interpretations, although this is disputable. It is highly unlikely that God would allow His Bible to create confusion and doubts in the minds of people by allowing it to contain vague statements. The Catholic Church by comparison is more led from the top although the hierarchy also tend to avoid getting embroiled in controversial issues.  Massive Contradiction in the Family Tree of Jesus SOLVED
We are undoubtedly in a moral malaise and our educators are also not helping by bending with the wind rather than standing up for the social principles heralded in times past, again for fear of losing their job, or facing opprobrium. We do indeed need a John Knox or a John Wesley figure but would he or she be listened to in our modern age. Such a character would experience fierce criticism today because he/she would have nothing attractive as defined by modern life styles to offer? In Knox and Wesley's era there was much poverty and the populace may have seen adopting their mindset as a potential way to improve livelihoods - God might comed to the rescue! Life was very different in the mid 1700's to what it is now in the Western World, and these preachers were sincere, and believable, helping many people to improve their lives by, for example, fostering a togetherness that encouraged mutual support amongst families in similar predicaments. Turning to God worked for many and we may well be heading in this direction again in the not too distant future! We may think we can live without God even convincing ourselves that He doesn't exist. Whether we like it or not however modern scientific evidence provides conclusive proof that He does exist, and is all powerful. Fortunately for us He is omnibenevolent, understands our weaknesses and makes allowances for us throughout our lives. Jesus was proof of that! Finally, you might ask, what has all this got to do with the Creationism verses Evolution debate at the heart of this website? We suggest everything! Once society abandons belief in Creationism therefore belief in a Creator (God), then it begins to fall apart. Is there any evidence for this assertion? Definitely, this connection has been demonstrated endlessly throughout human history. Disaster always follows abandonment of belief in, or rejection of, God: Examples: 1. Nazism: Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party adapted, manipulated, and radicalized the unfounded belief in the existence of an "Aryan race." . The plan was to wipe out all non-aryan individuals. Religion, therefore belief in a Creator was banned in Germany by Hitler. 2. In the Abrahamic religions, Sodom and Gomorrah were two cities destroyed by God for their wickedness. Their story parallels the Genesis flood narrative in its theme of God's anger provoked by man's sin. 3. The theme of abandoning God and its consequences is a recurring motif throughout the Bible, serving as a solemn warning to the faithful. The Scriptures consistently illustrate that turning away from God leads to spiritual, moral, and often physical decline. An interesting question that stems from this is: Do the people involved in these behaviour patterns genuinely believe there is no God, or do they believe He exists but simply wish to rebel against His leadership? Whichever is the case such individuals feel free to perpetrate evil as defined in the Christian Bible remorselessly. Is it a case of history repeating itself? Fortunately there are many good people on our planet and goodness ultimately prevails at least for a while. The Glory of God's Creation He calls the sun to wake the dawn And run the course of day 'Til evening falls in crimson rays. His fingerprints in flakes of snow, His breath upon this spinning globe; He charts the eagle's flight; Commands the newborn baby's cry. Refrain: Hallelujah! Let all creation stand and sing, "Hallelujah!" Fill the earth with songs of worship, tell the wonders of creation's King. 2. Creation gazed upon His face; The ageless One in time's embrace Unveiled the Father's plan Of reconciling God to man. A second Adam walked the earth, Whose blameless life would break the curse, Whose death would set us free To live with Him eternally. 3. Creation longs for His return, When Christ shall reign upon the earth; The bitter wars that rage Are birth pains of a coming age. When He renews the land and sky, All heav'n will sing and earth reply With one resplendent theme: The glory of our God and King! Creation sings the Father's song
Words and Music: Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty and Stuart Townend |