“In a recent study, the Barna Research Group revealed a stunning statistic that continues to reverberate throughout the evangelical world. Only 9 percent of professing Christians have a biblical worldview.”
Because of this, today’s believers live very similarly to non-believers. A personal sense of significance is rarely experienced, we spend our money and time on things that fail to satisfy and we begin to wonder what life’s ultimate purpose really is. We are, in short, losing our bearings as a people and a nation.”
If we think best sellers like “The Late Great United States – What Bible Prophecy Reveals about America’s Last Days” have no effect on our resolve to make disciples of all nations, I believe we are naive.
The incessant bombardment of these kinds of apocalyptic books (that I believe have little Scriptural foundation) are helping create a generation of Christians who actually believe the Gospel is in route to defeat at the hands of the dark forces of the antichrist and the new world order. But what does Scripture say about these matters? Did God really set us up for defeat? Did Christ’s death and bodily resurrection (overcoming sin and death) only have a personal salvific application? Or is the saving grace of Jesus as manifested by the power of the resurrection and the infestation of the Holy Spirit, going to overcome the world, the flesh and the devil?
When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him. Col 2:15
Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. Heb 2:14-15
You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world… 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 4:4; 1 John 5:4-5
It seems that if we continue to believe the “time is short” and the “form of this world is passing away” in our generation (removing these statements from their original immediate context), many will see little need in reforming our paradigms in accord with God’s Word. I continue to hear statements like, “Let’s convert as many as we can before the final collapse and the dissolution of planet earth.”
If we transport the expectations of the inevitable moral decline (prophesied by the Apostle Paul as he referenced the “last days” of Old Covenant Judaism in Timothy’s day – 2 Tim 3:1-13) to the 21st century, how will the paradigm shift-changing TRUTH Project have maximum benefit? If we believe the Gospel’s effectiveness is going to be increasingly stunted and ultimately turned away, and if we think that through Christ we cannot have a significant impact in the reversal of evil, what is the use in continuing to polish brass on what too many believe is a sinking ship? What the TRUTH Project gives, our modern day eschatological assumptions unwittingly take away. Therefore I believe we must develop a Christian worldview espoused by the TRUTH Project and in consort begin to recognize the need to revolutionize our eschatological assumptions.
I believe series like The TRUTH Project are an absolute must if we are to fulfill our mandate to be the salt of the
earth and the light of the world. I hope you will prayerfully consider involvement as this TTP comes to your city. My church, Bay Life Church (Brandon, FL), is hosting this series beginning on Wednesday, August 26, 2009 (my 31st Anniversary!) at our 60 campus. I hope to see you there.
As I have attempted to share time and again, one’s eschatological presuppositions (although clearly not foundational to our faith) have and will continue to affect our expectations. Gary DeMar, in his small book, “Is Jesus Coming Soon“, offers a Biblical “end times” view that is in diametric opposition to that of most of our modern day prophetic speculators. In order to see the need for developing a well-rounded Christian world and life view offered by The TRUTH project, I believe it is necessary to create expectations that fall in line with the overcoming nature of the Gospel.
I also highly recommend an audio series entitled “Last Days”, found at www.charlescoty.com/audio2.html. Scroll down near the bottom right under “Dan Norcini”. These sermons will absolutely blow you away. Dan is thoughtful, humble, as Scripturally literate as any you will find, and he is adept at creating a sound Biblical argument. Enjoy! And don’t forget to tune in to a TRUTH Project near you.
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