“To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:20)
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine (healthy, systematic teaching of the Bible), …but will turn their ears away from the truth…! (II Timothy 4:3a, 4a).
It is really no secret that the mainline denominations, as a whole, are experiencing rapid and serious declines in their attendances and contributions. So what is the cause of this atrophy, why the deterioration?
One major cause historically is the number of divisions within the denominations. In my files I have charts that diagram the historical developments and deterioration’s of individual denominational bodies. This is the picture behind most declines and/or splits: A major denomination arose or was formed in previous years, only to fragment later. Several other factors come into play: the aging of the membership, often without being “replaced” or added to by a younger generation. Many others have “fallen through the cracks,” meaning that they have decided to totally forsake attendance in their houses of worship or they choose a different belief-system, for whatever reason.
But let me move on to what I believe are a few of the deeper causes of the fallouts:
1. The upcoming generation(s) can all too often observe the inconsistencies of their forebears. Their walk simply does not match their talk!
2. But perhaps the greatest reason for the fallout(s) can be attributed to the leadership of these groups. Many of them do not themselves believe the Scriptures they may proclaim. They do their “jobs” perfunctorily or follow the prescribed rituals of their denomination. But they are spiritually dead! There is no spiritual life in them. Thus, their congregants walk away empty, week after week, without hope, help and most seriously, without God and His Word (the Bible)! HOWEVER, there ARE Bible-living groups. PRAISE GOD!
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