tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post3988879645016552442..comments2024-03-28T17:44:11.289+00:00Comments on Bruce Charlton's Notions: It is striking that so many Christians who led exemplary lives have joined the dark side since 2020Bruce Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09615189090601688535noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-35595634916456411302022-02-01T04:30:49.751+00:002022-02-01T04:30:49.751+00:00@JC - I think the link perhaps lies back at the st...@JC - I think the link perhaps lies back at the start of the industrial revolution, when there was some kind of civilizational decision to delete the spiritual from life, and take the path of prosperity and power - to use the new technologies to make more wealth and to dominate; rather than to pursue Christian-shaped goals. I think we can see this decision point in the writings of William Blake. Successive generations have remade that same decision - and here we are...Bruce Charltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09615189090601688535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-41096125836531975082022-02-01T03:33:34.974+00:002022-02-01T03:33:34.974+00:00Oh, I agree. It just struck me that there is a con...Oh, I agree. It just struck me that there is a connection between prosperity and/or privilege and what I call a shallowness of conviction. Regardless, I believe we are in for a very interesting time. Makes me think of Padre Pio. <br /><br />On a related track, it is also interesting that with the coof, potential war in the Ukraine or Taiwan, looming food supply disruption, and the apparent conquest of the West, all four horsemen of the apocalypse are making an appearance.Jeffrey Cantrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17089609019502906655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-61087130874394867422022-01-30T20:07:42.309+00:002022-01-30T20:07:42.309+00:00@JC - Something in that - but I think matters are ...@JC - Something in that - but I think matters are worse than just prosperity. But we will soon know, because prosperity will not last much longer. Bruce Charltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09615189090601688535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-33209099560526557472022-01-30T20:06:02.770+00:002022-01-30T20:06:02.770+00:00I believe this is a clear example of the problems ...I believe this is a clear example of the problems a rich man has in trying to enter heaven. It seems that those blessed with worldly comfort are less likely to see the truth of the world (discernment) than those living in more modest conditions.Jeffrey Cantrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17089609019502906655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-71943450463990075242022-01-30T11:32:21.230+00:002022-01-30T11:32:21.230+00:00@Nova - I don't believe that general advice ca...@Nova - I don't believe that general advice can be given on such matters - and we should not even try. The point is for each person to discern what he *ought* to do - with seriousness and honesty. <br /><br />Doing it, or not, is the next matter to deal with - and depends on many factors (personal, societal etc) but it is important to separate what is right, from whatever action/ inaction follows. <br /><br />The two are separate issues, and conflating them is a common way of excusing sin. <br /> Bruce Charltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09615189090601688535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-52573218078193401092022-01-30T11:15:48.431+00:002022-01-30T11:15:48.431+00:00Where I live we are now perilously close to being ...Where I live we are now perilously close to being imprisoned for our faith. Our church was one of a tiny handful that held in-person services at Christmas. Our government is closing in on us. More importantly, the majority of our fellow Canadians will look the other way when that government finally descends. <br /><br />Should all Christians go to prison, or worse, in these circumstances? My default answer would be yes, do not comply and take the consequences. <br /><br />The Scorcese masterpiece <i>Silence</i> addresses this question. In the "hopeless" conditions of 17th century Japan (where Christians were ruthlessly exterminated) a priest converts to Shintoism (?) and complies fully with the Japanese authorities, even becoming an exemplar for them of Christian apostasy. Yet we understand that he possibly retains his love of Christ deep within himself, making small gestures in Christ's name when the opportunity arises. <br /><br />Do we all resist and suffer the consequences? Or is there a place for going with the flow while quietly carrying on God's work for us?Stephen Macdonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13474300559219020772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-91054361383499853912022-01-29T15:49:24.700+00:002022-01-29T15:49:24.700+00:00This posting brought Revelations 3 powerfully to m...This posting brought Revelations 3 powerfully to mind. I doubt it explains it all but the self-satisfaction and lukewarm-ness parts jumped to mind. <br /><br />14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;<br /><br />15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.<br /><br />16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.<br /><br />17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:<br /><br />18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.<br /><br />19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.<br /><br />20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.<br /><br />21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.<br /><br />22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.<br /><br />KJV Rev 3.14-22Skarphedinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-84703408728406313162022-01-29T13:09:02.722+00:002022-01-29T13:09:02.722+00:00@MS - It is not just, or mainly, that they dropped...@MS - It is not just, or mainly, that they dropped the morals/ code in face of social pressure - it is that they have joined the other side, and are actively aiding the demonic strategy; and lack even the basic discernment to notice the fact, indeed strenuously deny it. <br /><br />Thus are end times prophecies fulfilled. <br /><br />Bruce Charltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09615189090601688535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-79710351124079331502022-01-29T12:31:39.787+00:002022-01-29T12:31:39.787+00:00Joker in Dark Knight said it best:
"Their mor...Joker in Dark Knight said it best:<br />"Their morals, their code; it's a bad joke. Dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be."MatchSticknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-10073059975501275412022-01-29T07:14:26.185+00:002022-01-29T07:14:26.185+00:00@FGW - Given what you have lived through since 202...@FGW - Given what you have lived through since 2020 - https://charltonteaching.blogspot.com/2021/12/the-age-of-great-apostasy-this-worldly.html - this comment suggests that either you don't know many Christians; or that you were/are yourself on the dark side. Bruce Charltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09615189090601688535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-24137963868137714502022-01-29T02:42:59.968+00:002022-01-29T02:42:59.968+00:00I don't know any.I don't know any. FiveGunsWesthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04494341211364988897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-82146721620337094222022-01-28T19:50:14.234+00:002022-01-28T19:50:14.234+00:00@DJ - I too am utterly impatient with those who wo...@DJ - I too am utterly impatient with those who would set a few verses of Paul's (aiming at little more than an expedient modus for church operations) against the overwhelming example of Jesus himself - his life and teachings. Bruce Charltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09615189090601688535noreply@blogger.com