The Beginning of the End of Christianity?

There is a new study and report that “Christians” are mixing up their beliefs. The question has been posed – is this the beginning of the end of Christianity?

Christ, himself asked a very interesting but thought provoking question in Luke 18:8: “…Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”

As we draw closer to an end of this age as we know it, the attacks on biblical Christianity and faith are monumental. The onslaught to destroy, dilute, or dismiss the “one true faith” comes from every direction.

Ecumenicalism has been with us almost since the beginning of the church. It has been defined as, in its broadest sense, a unity or cooperation which refers to a worldwide religious unity; by the advocating of a greater sense of shared spirituality across the three Abrahamic faiths of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Most commonly, however, ecumenism is used in a more narrow meaning; referring to a greater cooperation among different religious denominations of a single one of these faiths.

Ecumenism is an interfaith dialogue between representatives of different denominations, and does not necessarily intend reconciling their followers into full, organic unity with one another but simply to promote better relations. It promotes toleration, mutual respect and cooperation, whether among Christian denominations, or between Christianity and other faiths.

For some Catholics it may, but not always, have the goal of reconciling all who profess Christian faith to bring them into a single, visible organization, i.e. through union with the Roman Catholic Church.

For some Protestants spiritual unity, and often unity on the church's teachings on central issues, suffices. Many who advocate this push towards spiritual unity think that we should not focus on what separates us but a simple focus on Christ.

Statistics are showing that 26% of people polled are seeking to add various forms of “spiritual energy” to their existing faith, 25% of people polled are adding astrology to their existing faith, some 24% stated that they think that people will be born again and again and again through various forms of reincarnation, and some 23% have added yoga and its principles to their existing faith.

The Manhattan Declaration recently advocated a coming together of various “faiths” for social order and social causes. The so called Emerging Church is a major player in the advocating of and practice of adding mysticism, Catholicism, and handpicked tenets of Christianity to what they call a new faith.

The good news is that God is not taken by surprise. This is not new to Christ nor those who have a clear understanding of the Scriptures. We know that one day there will be a “one world church.” Since Scripture predicts it, it is inevitable. So, we should not be caught by surprise nor be dismayed. It is inevitable.

Jude reminds us of our responsibility – “Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in privily, even they who were of old written of beforehand unto this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”

Paul warned the churches through his son in the faith Timothy – “But evil men and impostors shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.”

The more of the truth (Scripture) that we know the more error it will expose. Attacks will come. Persecution will come and will expose many false tares in the church. But Christ will prevail and Christianity will not be destroyed. We are on the winning side and we have read the last chapter in the book!