The Destiny Of Adam
Part 1 / Section 1
MODERN SOCIETY / MODERN CHURCH
The foundational truths, of new testament theology, are often watered down or even disregarded in the churches of today. How, or why this has happened and is still happening, is not the purpose for this writing. For a discussion on the reasoning why, could yield a wealth of criteria, and if digested with an open mind would allow many a blind eye to see.
Yet, our modern "fast, get done quickly attitude", and "we don't have time to get done all that we are involved in attitude", has caused the church, also, to become a modern day church. Hence, modern day world, modern day society to include modern day church. Our modern day world is made up of people just like the world of yesterday, or a better way of stating it would be, our modern day world is made up of people the same as it was at the beginning of time. People made up the "olden day world", and people make up the "modern day world". The people of times past, when considered as a group or whole body were called a society. This same group or body is also called a society in this modern day. The difference between the society of times past and that of our modern day is the change in it's standard.
Now, a standard is defined as anything taken as a basis of comparison. This could be a rule, a test, or requirement or a level or degree of excellence, attainment, wealth, or the like, considered as a goal or as being adequate. Standard criterion is something used to measure or judge a person or thing. Standard applies to a rule, principle, ideal, pattern, or measure, generally accepted as a basis of comparison in determining the quality, value, quantity, social or moral or intellectual level of something. Criterion applies to a test used in judging the true nature, goodness, or worth of a person, thing, or accomplishment.
It is true that people from the beginning of time have had a mind and a driving force within them which enabled them to find answers. As a result, they have continued to discover new ideas and principles. They have been able to gather information and group it in a manner providing enhanced detail for much more refined and defined criterion, producing such greater intellectual levels. Even with this pronounced efficiency, still, people are aware that they have not been able to find answers to everything that the mind keeps discovering. That is to say, the mind of man continues to discover that, although it has the capacity to infinity, the mind has not been able to reach a point where it can rest. Yet, at the same time, people are well aware of the accomplishments they have achieved. Do to the fact that the mind has recognized that even with the vast amount of knowledge and discoveries that have taken place, there seems to be much that has not been uncovered. People have taken this knowledge and ascertained it to be very great accomplishments. These great accomplishments have allowed all people to express the greatness of each of their minds.
So, we have a modern society that is much more fully aware of the fact that their minds and the manner in which they develop them, has a direct relationship to greater accomplishments. Therefore, the standard, or basis of comparison has become to be our intellectual level. The criterion, or test used in judging the standard is the worth of a person, or their material wealth. This increased level of accomplishment has brought along with it, individual self gratification which has sort of a peace or another way to say it would be a form of man made rest. If you remember, the mind has not been able to reach a point of rest. If each individual can analyze his own accomplishments, and is able to settle with an attainment that is adequate, he will have self willingly accomplished a level of self rest. As the old saying goes, "we can do almost anything if we put our minds to it." Yes, that is true. But, there is another old time saying that is also true and that is, "to each his own ." So, if all of society are putting their minds to it, but, each on an individual basis, we have a new type of standard that provides a very difficult basis of comparison. After all, the standard criterion used by one is not the same used by all, therefore, the basis of measuring will not be agreeable to all. As you can see, this produces a society that can accomplish many things in a variety of ways that is self gratifying and welcome to some and not welcome or accepted by others. So, if all our minds are bent on self accomplishment, and the means of measuring in this modern society is through intellectual levels, then those with greater wealth must be more intellectually advanced. Now, this is just a premise, and as I stated earlier, the purpose of this writing is not to determine how or why society has developed. The purpose of this writing is not to point the many varied circumstances, good or bad, that can and do arise from the most seemingly inconsequential adequate attainments. But, I believe that the picture is becoming quite clear to you...... complexities. Nothing seems to be simple anymore. True, man has greatly advanced intellectually, yet, in striving to attain rest, we have compromised the standard criterion. If a basic standard cannot be agreed upon, then we must compromise by accepting a little of this, which one may not want alot of, and a little of that, which some may want none of. Yes, it's true. We live in a compromising society, for whatever the reasons or however it has happened.
But, again, the purpose here is not to discuss the reasons how or why, but to expand on the fact that the foundational truths of the new testament theology, are often watered down or even disregarded in the churches of today. In order to examine how the foundation truths are often watered down or even disregarded, we must first define and explain that there are four categories within these truths: Messiahship, Atonement, Discipleship and Eschatology. In addition, it is recognized that the reader has a basic knowledge of Christianity.
MESSIAHSHIP
Most Christians, when asked a question concerning the Messiah, would probably respond with John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. This has become a favorite scripture passage which says it very simply, God gave the world His Son, the Messiah, and if you believe in Him, you will not perish but have eternal life.
ATONEMENT
If asked, "What does Atonement mean?" I would guess that maybe 50% of Christians would be able to relate the old testament high priest sacrifices to God, with Gods Grace given to the world through His sacrifice of His Son of RECONCILING themselves to God.
DISCIPLESHIP
The definition of Discipleship is simple to most Christians. The response would coincide with the belief of John 3:16. If one believes that God sent His Son, as a means that we (man) can now reconcile ourselves with God, then we are a believer in the Christ and therefore become a disciple. And therefore , discipleship would be the banding together of other disciples (believers) whereby they tell others (non-believers) the good news, which is John 3:16.
ESCHATOLOGY
ESCHATOLOGY is the doctrine of the last of final things. The response of most Christians would be that believers will live forever with God, and that non-believers will live forever in HELL.
I ask that you be well aware that the manner in which I have just defined and listed the foundational truths, was not done in a demeaning manner or in a manner that would be discrediting to the CHRISTIAN FAITH. The good news of the gospel is meant to be simple, that is, uncomplicated, yet it seems man has made it complicated by means in which they keep it simple. There is a popular saying in the world today that is abbreviated K.I.S.S., which means "Keep It Simple Stupid". There is an implication here that one better keep it simple, for they are to stupid to be able to comprehend anything that is not simple. Because of being stupid, anything beyond pure simplicity would be much to complicated to comprehend. We will come back to this area later, but, for now let's just say that much of the reasons, that people in the church today have no depth to Christianity, is due to the compromise of the leaders of the modern church. Again, it is not the purpose of this writing to expound on the reasons for compromise. In any case, the average modern believer probably goes to church once per week and believes in the Trinity. By-in-large, they feel they are good, descent folk, who are reconciled to God, who died for their sins. They believe that if they died tomorrow, that they would go to heaven. And, they just very well might. And again, they just very well might not. What! You say under the above circumstances, one might not get into heaven? Yes, one might not get into heaven. The foundational truths call for and expect a deeper, fuller relationship with God through His Son, Jesus, then a simple, "I believe that Jesus died for me". Now, every believer may not be at the same depth in their relationship, but every believer does have a part in the church, yes, even this modern church. To be sure that they are doing their part, it is imperative that each individual seek ye first the kingdom of God and all it's righteousness. Then and only then, through the reading of the word and the inner seeking, can ones relationship with God grow and nurture, and they will know their part in the church of Jesus Christ. Yet, for the most part, people , Christians, are not doing this and the leaders of this modern church are allowing it to go on. Is it compromise? Is it complacency? What are the effects on the people, and what are the effects on this modern society? How can it be said that foundational truths are watered down? What are some of the foundational truths that are actually being disregarded? Let's look at the true standards; FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS.