From: "The New Birth", By John Wesley, Sermon 45 (here's the link to the full text for any who may be interested: http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umhistory/wesley/sermons/45/)
Before a child is born into the world he has eyes, but sees not; he has ears, but does not hear. He has a very imperfect use of any other sense. He has no knowledge of any of the things of the world, or any natural understanding. To that manner of existence which he then has, we do not even give the name of life. It is then only when a man is born, that we say he begins to live. For as soon as he is born, be begins to see the light, and the various objects with which he is encompassed. His ears are then opened, and he hears the sounds which successively strike upon them. At the same time, all the other organs of sense begin to be exercised upon their proper objects. He likewise breathes, and lives in a manner wholly different from what he did before. How exactly doth the parallel hold in all these instances! While a man is in a mere natural state, before he is born of God, he has, in a spiritual sense, eyes and sees not; a thick impenetrable veil lies upon them; he has ears, but hears not; he is utterly deaf to what he is most of all concerned to hear. His other spiritual senses are all locked up: He is in the same condition as if he had them not. Hence he has no knowledge of God; no intercourse with him; he is not at all acquainted with him. He has no true knowledge of the things of God, either of spiritual or eternal things; therefore, though he is a living man, he is a dead Christian. But as soon as he is born of God, there is a total change in all these particulars. The "eyes of his understanding are opened;" (such is the language of the great Apostle;) and, He who of old "commanded light to shine out of darkness shining on his heart, he sees the light of the glory of God," his glorious love, "in the face of Jesus Christ." His ears being opened, he is now capable of hearing the inward voice of God, saying, "Be of good cheer; thy sins are forgiven thee;" "go and sin no more." This is the purport of what God speaks to his heart; although perhaps not in these very words. He is now ready to hear whatsoever "He that teacheth man knowledge" is pleased, from time to time, to reveal to him. He "feels in his heart," to use the language of our Church, "the mighty working of the Spirit of God;" not in a gross, carnal sense as the men of the world stupidly and wilfully misunderstand the expression; though they have been told again and again, we mean thereby neither more nor less than this: He feels, is inwardly sensible of, the graces which the Spirit of god works in his heart. He feels, he is conscious of, a "peace which passeth all understanding." He many times feels such a joy in God as is "unspeakable, and full of glory." He feels "the love of God shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost which is given unto him;" and all his spiritual senses are then exercised to discern spiritual good and evil. By the use of these, he is daily increasing in the knowledge of God, of Jesus Christ whom he hath sent and to all the things pertaining to his inward kingdom. And now he may be properly said to live: God having quickened him by his Spirit, he is alive to God through Jesus Christ. He lives a life which the world knoweth not of, a "life which is hid with Christ in God." God is continually breathing, as it were, upon the soul; and his soul is breathing unto God. Grace is descending into his heart; and prayer and praise ascending to heaven: And by this intercourse between God and man, this fellowship with the Father and the Son, as by a kind of spiritual respiration, the life of God in the soul is sustained; and the child of God grows up, till he comes to the "full measure of the stature of Christ."
Monday, April 4, 2011
WW 4/3: DEAD RELIGION
The Big Questions
1. Whether or not you place confidence in statistical studies, is it wise to dismiss them out of hand? Why or why not? State in one sentence what you think the study demonstrates.
I think this particular study suggests a possibility that is interesting to consider and discuss.
2. What does your own experience of Christianity in the United States lead you to conclude about its future here? What does your own experience of Christianity's acceptance or rejection among members of your extended family lead you to conclude about its future here? How does that affect your feelings about your faith?
I have experienced Christianity as it is expressed in several of its many institutional forms. I have also experienced faith as it is found and expressed in several of its many individual forms. I think institutional Christianity will die in America, but personal faith will not. I love Jesus; I am thankful for grace; and I trust the Holy Spirit to preserve my relationship with God. Hopefully, nothing will change these feelings.
3. What are the main reasons that many of today's young adults decide religion is not for them? What are the reasons that some young adults remain within religion or embrace it for the first time?
In my opinion, many of today’s young adults reject religion because in many churches creeds, traditions and social culture have replaced a living relationship with God and authentic spiritual unity. Dead religiosity does not touch the heart and minds of vibrant young people. The Holy Spirit does.
I believe some young adults remain within religion or embrace it for the first time because they are born of the Spirit, and they thereby enjoy being in places that offer opportunity to worship and praise God, study the Bible, pray corporately, and cooperate with others to do good works in the name of Jesus.
I also think some remain within religion because it is the tradition in their family, and they are thereby culturally and socially bound to it.
4. How does the church address the concerns of people who won't even engage in conversations about faith?
How do people address the concerns of a church who won’t even engage in conversations about faith?
5. To be non-affiliated with religion does not necessarily mean that a person does not believe in God or in Christ. But can Christianity survive without communal religious practice? Why or why not?
If you define ‘Christianity’ as the expression of a faith that is fueled by the indwelling Presence of the Holy Spirit, nothing can kill it. It only grows. If you define ‘Christianity’ as a collection of established religious organizations and practices, I believe it will soon perish. In a sense, it is dead already. Nonetheless, because of the relational, Trinitarian nature of God; I believe Spirit-filled Christians will always and necessarily seek out and manifest communal expressions of faith... it's called love.
John 3:
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
1. Whether or not you place confidence in statistical studies, is it wise to dismiss them out of hand? Why or why not? State in one sentence what you think the study demonstrates.
I think this particular study suggests a possibility that is interesting to consider and discuss.
2. What does your own experience of Christianity in the United States lead you to conclude about its future here? What does your own experience of Christianity's acceptance or rejection among members of your extended family lead you to conclude about its future here? How does that affect your feelings about your faith?
I have experienced Christianity as it is expressed in several of its many institutional forms. I have also experienced faith as it is found and expressed in several of its many individual forms. I think institutional Christianity will die in America, but personal faith will not. I love Jesus; I am thankful for grace; and I trust the Holy Spirit to preserve my relationship with God. Hopefully, nothing will change these feelings.
3. What are the main reasons that many of today's young adults decide religion is not for them? What are the reasons that some young adults remain within religion or embrace it for the first time?
In my opinion, many of today’s young adults reject religion because in many churches creeds, traditions and social culture have replaced a living relationship with God and authentic spiritual unity. Dead religiosity does not touch the heart and minds of vibrant young people. The Holy Spirit does.
I believe some young adults remain within religion or embrace it for the first time because they are born of the Spirit, and they thereby enjoy being in places that offer opportunity to worship and praise God, study the Bible, pray corporately, and cooperate with others to do good works in the name of Jesus.
I also think some remain within religion because it is the tradition in their family, and they are thereby culturally and socially bound to it.
4. How does the church address the concerns of people who won't even engage in conversations about faith?
How do people address the concerns of a church who won’t even engage in conversations about faith?
5. To be non-affiliated with religion does not necessarily mean that a person does not believe in God or in Christ. But can Christianity survive without communal religious practice? Why or why not?
If you define ‘Christianity’ as the expression of a faith that is fueled by the indwelling Presence of the Holy Spirit, nothing can kill it. It only grows. If you define ‘Christianity’ as a collection of established religious organizations and practices, I believe it will soon perish. In a sense, it is dead already. Nonetheless, because of the relational, Trinitarian nature of God; I believe Spirit-filled Christians will always and necessarily seek out and manifest communal expressions of faith... it's called love.
John 3:
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
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