Why is Christianity on the decline in America? What are the contributing factors and what can we do about it (if anything)?
To see more interview videos with J. Warner Wallace, visit the YouTube playlist.
For more information about the nature of Biblical faith and a strategy for communicating the truth of Christianity, please read Forensic Faith: A Homicide Detective Makes the Case for a More Reasonable, Evidential Christian Faith. This book teaches readers four reasonable, evidential characteristics of Christianity and provides a strategy for sharing Christianity with others. The book is accompanied by an eight-session Forensic Faith DVD Set (and Participant’s Guide) to help individuals or small groups examine the evidence and make the case.
Dave Thompson
July 29, 2024 at 12:02 pm
2 major doctrinal/theological movements have created apathy in the church. Before 1978 Hal Lindsey book the Late Great Planet Earth sold millions of copies. Why get involved in the church or in life if Jesus is coming back. This Last Days insanity is killing the church. ‘Why polish brass in a sinking ship’ J Vernon McGee. ‘We lose here, get that? we lose here!’ John MacArthur. Why bother here! Our SS teacher said a few years ago, ‘yeah we should pray for Trump but it’s not going to matter much.’ Why? The End is near so why even hope! It’s all going to get worse and worse. Dispensationalism has/is/will continue to kill the future hope of the Church. Also, Calvinism, i.e., Theistic Determinism and Election. God has determined everything from before the foundation of the world and elected those who are going to Heaven or Hell. So, again, why bother. My good friend said we’re here just to make the best of it. Sounds like he’s excited about the future 🙁
Rev. Jim Splitt
November 21, 2024 at 3:14 pm
Topic for investigation: Proof of Jesus as a person of interest is well established by the well documented research of J. Warner Wallace. From this quest, knowing Jesus gives birth to a belief in Jesus. This may be a bit simplistic, but it’s certainly a basis for Christian spiritual formation. As a pastor for over 46 years, I know I still have work to do to inspire belief in Jesus and ignite a faithful practice of discipleship/apostleship. I would like to partner in an investigation into the nature of Christian hypocrisy. Why do some people who profess to be believers rarely to sometimes ever practice their faith? Throughout the Gospel writings, Jesus seems to be frustrated with the “Religious” who say one thing but do another. Ref: 1 John 4:20; Matthew 7:5; Matthew 15:7-9 to name a few. There are many verses like these, pointing to the fact that some who believe, betray their belief by the manner in which they live, contrary to their beliefs. I would like to investigate this phenomenon and arrive at some conclusions which might shed light and truth for guiding the Christian community to greater authenticity and practice of belief in Jesus. I know this has been a topic of study by numerous people over the years; but, has it been a subject of intense investigation as outlined by the methodologies shared by J. Warner Wallace? Perhaps this would be worthy of a collaboration of investigators who can help clarify this concern and tackle the challenge to offer some new ideas to this ongoing problem of hypocrisy in the church. I don’t want to draw the conclusion that Christianity is dying because some believers are hypocrites or that people discount Christianity because they see Christians as hypocrites. I think it is more important to understand this behavior as a possible malady of faith that can be cured / healed. A part of this investigation might focus on the argument that “works” don’t matter, I’m saved because of my belief. Afterall, we all fall short of living up to our belief in Jesus. God/Jesus loves us anyway and we are saved through grace. Another way this has been articulated is the all too familiar, “Sunday only Christians” or those who only worship on Christmas or Easter. There are numerous and familiar ways of describing the problems of church decline. I’d prefer to focus on the health of our faith in Christ and determine a course of action that brings faith practice to a higher level. I think this might take some detective work. Let’s talk / collaborate / and see what happens next.