Church Decline.

We will never be able to reverse the decline of the Church until we realize what is causing it.

There are several factors which affect Church decline:

First of all we are preaching to an educated public.  What we preach must pass the test of logic and not insult our intelligence or our sensibilities.

Secondly the child sexual abuse scandals must be addressed.  It is no use just increasing our fear of sex.  We must face the fact that sex is part of God's good creation and is not the enemy of the spirit.

Thirdly we must address the issue of homosexuality and God.  The vast majority find the hateful attitude of many Churches towards homosexuals offensive.  We must swallow our pride and admit that God does not discriminate.

But a major influence affecting church attendances is Satanism in our popular culture.  Satanism in rock music, entertainment, and sports poisons and distracts us.  It blames religion and addicts us to pleasure.

So, if we are to address the issue of the decline of the Churches, we must first look at these factors.

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Big Heart.

Size matters:

Big muscles.

Big plans.

Big heart.

Photo Credit: Dreamstime.

Love.

It seemed that love

Was the domain of women.

From Mary to Magdalene

Venus ruled.

But men have hearts

That pump love as well.

They think that Mars

Is their Domain.

But love 

Is the ultimate 

Panacea.

The inmost core

Of our heart is

Our Soul.

The source and agent 

Of Infinite

Love.

Photo Credit: Pinterest.

Bliss!

The joy of Love

Awaits us in Heaven.

The heart of God

Waits patiently.

Wistful whispers

And momentary glimpses

Lure us to wisdom

And tranquility.

But the secret of Love

Awakes in the morning.

The realm of Light

- The Reality-

Shows us that Bliss

Abides in the giving.

The giving of Love

To Infinity.

Hand Stock photos by Vecteezy

Vision.

Because I say that our popular culture is saturated with Satanism and we need to return to God.

Does not mean that I advocate a return to the Christianity of the 1950s.

The Traditional Orthodox Christianity taught in that era was more akin to the religion of the Pharisees than the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth.

What I am proposing in Progressive Christianity is a return to the teachings of Jesus himself.

The religion of the 1950s was about belief in Creeds which contain nothing that Jesus taught.

These Creeds are about the figure of Christ as God, his Virgin Mother, his Death and Resurrection, and his return in Judgement.

Jesus taught none of these things.

And although the Resurrection is significant it is not the physical resuscitation indicated by an empty tomb.

The empty tomb is more symbolic than historical.

And the myth of Mary's virginity is based on a mistranslation of the original text.

Jesus refused to judge people in life so why would he return to judge the whole human race?

What Jesus did teach, however, was the forgiveness and unconditional love of God.

He was an agent of God's mercy.

And his death was a tragedy for the human race.

His disciples and followers never really regained the fullness of Jesus' revelation.

Only now are we beginning to glimpse the vision that Jesus attained.

So do not look to the past for the vision.

Look to the future and guard it against the corruptions of history.

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Satanism.

Satanism will tell you that there is no God so you may as well lie, cheat, and steal to win.

But this is selling your soul.

And the result they desire is hell.

So do not listen to rock musicians and reality T.V..

Their intention is to corrupt you.

And they want your soul in hell.

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Save Them Father!

Dressed all in black.

Covered in tattoos.

Worshipping sex

In a body of death.

Renounce the devil

And all his works.

Be reconciled to God

Through His steadfast

Love.

Save your soul

Which is pure,

Untouched.

Open your heart

Which is wholly 

Good!

Photo Credit: Pinterest.