Steve+Elzerman+Influence-+Connection


 * Introduction**
 * Summary**
 * Conclusion**


 * Connection**

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In //A Christian Manifesto//, Dr. Francis Schaeffer writes the following:

"I want to say to you, those of you who are Christians or even if you are not a Christian and you are troubled about the direction that our society is going in, that we must not concentrate merely on the bits and pieces. But we must understand that all of these dilemmas come on the basis of moving from the Judeo-Christian world view -- that the final reality is an infinite creator God -- over into this other reality which is that the final reality is only energy or material in some mixture or form which has existed forever and which has taken its present shape by pure chance."

As I read this portion of the manifesto, I related directly back to the topics which had been discussed by George Barna as he wrote about how our nation and our world is self-destructing because of a lack of true morality. Since people no longer hold to the belief that there is one true creator God who is infinite, there can never truly be a basis for what is good and what is evil. As Christians, it is up to us to be the salt and light to these people and reveal to them that there is a God who is going to come back to judge the world. In our current state, our society does whatever feels good for themselves and avoids thinking too much about what other people are doing.

If there was just one element I feel I should take away from these readings, it is the idea that the world is falling away from Christ, and it is my duty as a Christian to actively pursue those who are falling away and bring them back. While I may not be able to impact an entire society, I realize that I can certainly impact individuals who can then turn around and have an impact on other individuals. In a fairly short time, many people will have been reached and an entire society could, in fact, be changed. This is not a simple task, but I believe that it is my duty and my calling as a Christian.

The only portion of Barna's book with which I disagreed was the section on the beliefs which are shared between each faith tribe. Many of these beliefs, such as "respect of life", do not seem as if they would actually be applicable for each tribe. Since a few of the faith tribes do not have any real basis for morals or a belief system, how can they determine whether or not a human life is valuable or not. There is no true right or wrong for them. So, if someone were to decide to abort a baby for personal satisfaction, this would not be particularly wrong to an agnostic, atheist, or even some pantheists and Jews. In general, only some of the tribes have a true basis for determining what is morally right or wrong.

As I was reading the Word last night, I read Colossians 3:17 which says, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." I feel that this verse has particular application on the topic of being the salt and light to the world. As Christians, it is vital that we live every moment of every day striving to be the people God has called us to be. If we actively focus on being the salt and light and do all things to the glory of God, we will be effective in sharing the gospel and the love of Christ with the rest of the world.

People who have become "salt and light" to the world:

[]- Lecrae []- Josh Hamilton []- Michael W Smith

This article is titled "The Survival of Christianity". It was written in 1920 by Robert Ashworth and has some very interesting insights into his idea of the faith and that time and where he thought the faith was headed.

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This is an interesting article on the recent success and globalization of protestant and charismatic Christianity.

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