The political and social landscape is changing. Churches and their leaders are adapting, but not in the ways you might expect. Let's try to understand the phenomenon of the "regimevangelical."
You have careful about Christians who conform to rules set by non-christian powers. James White argues against TR-onlism because it cannot win in a debate https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19Z1bhDW1kQ, and debating is the only way within "The Rules" to convert Muslims and Mormons. However historically, things where very different. People converted as the church gained power. In spite of this, winning arguments is the only power that James White will try to obtain. Meanwhile anabaptists are the fastest growing (endogenous) demographic in America despite absolutely no ability to win a debate. I think this is because the Anabaptists can still identify sins of decadence and induce submission to the church, while everyone else can't
Excellent stuff. One thing I am trying to figure out, is there something that needs to happen theologically in order to really take this mindset seriously? Your episode on South African parallelism and this piece really makes me wonder what it would take to actually start making Christian solidarity. Christian unity seems to be necessary which would inevitably require settling theological differences. I’m no theologian, but the infighting between Protestant systematic theology and catholic claims makes any type of attempt at Christian parallelism seem, at the very least, seriously limited. I think I’ve heard krutpos say he is Dutch reformed, so I’m assuming Protestant diversity would be fine in imagining how this plays out. However, I have a hard time seeing a serious type of Christian parallelism without real Christian unity, and I have never historically seen serious Christian unity without serious catholicity. I am not Roman Catholic so I dont have a bias here, just trying to work this out.
I would love to hear thoughts, and thanks again for your work!
Just my studied opinion from a layman / student of history. John Knox who had much influence on Thomas Jefferson created the symphonia that married church and state in Scotland. So it can be done. The Anglican Church could have been better had not the Rothschilds corrupted Queen Victoria by taking away the breeding rights. Yes the Scepter must stay with the Sons of Jacob until Messiah comes back. I think we are close. I think this is the last go around. https://northernprotestant.neocities.org/
All excellent thoughts and I have had similar thoughts myself. I am of the mind that our divisions were a luxury of fully Christian continent. As the screws turn down on Christians in the coming years, and they will, I am of the mind that many of these divisions will not seem as important as they once did. But for now, the differences are real enough.
You have careful about Christians who conform to rules set by non-christian powers. James White argues against TR-onlism because it cannot win in a debate https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19Z1bhDW1kQ, and debating is the only way within "The Rules" to convert Muslims and Mormons. However historically, things where very different. People converted as the church gained power. In spite of this, winning arguments is the only power that James White will try to obtain. Meanwhile anabaptists are the fastest growing (endogenous) demographic in America despite absolutely no ability to win a debate. I think this is because the Anabaptists can still identify sins of decadence and induce submission to the church, while everyone else can't
The rules of practical atheism, yes that's what they are. Never realize belief in any material way.
Thanks for the great article on a topic I've been obsessing over for quite some time.
Excellent stuff. One thing I am trying to figure out, is there something that needs to happen theologically in order to really take this mindset seriously? Your episode on South African parallelism and this piece really makes me wonder what it would take to actually start making Christian solidarity. Christian unity seems to be necessary which would inevitably require settling theological differences. I’m no theologian, but the infighting between Protestant systematic theology and catholic claims makes any type of attempt at Christian parallelism seem, at the very least, seriously limited. I think I’ve heard krutpos say he is Dutch reformed, so I’m assuming Protestant diversity would be fine in imagining how this plays out. However, I have a hard time seeing a serious type of Christian parallelism without real Christian unity, and I have never historically seen serious Christian unity without serious catholicity. I am not Roman Catholic so I dont have a bias here, just trying to work this out.
I would love to hear thoughts, and thanks again for your work!
Just my studied opinion from a layman / student of history. John Knox who had much influence on Thomas Jefferson created the symphonia that married church and state in Scotland. So it can be done. The Anglican Church could have been better had not the Rothschilds corrupted Queen Victoria by taking away the breeding rights. Yes the Scepter must stay with the Sons of Jacob until Messiah comes back. I think we are close. I think this is the last go around. https://northernprotestant.neocities.org/
All excellent thoughts and I have had similar thoughts myself. I am of the mind that our divisions were a luxury of fully Christian continent. As the screws turn down on Christians in the coming years, and they will, I am of the mind that many of these divisions will not seem as important as they once did. But for now, the differences are real enough.