To continue on in the series Challenges: let's examine why sharing the Gospel would be a challenging undertaking for the Church in the first place.
Mankind has a pretty good track record of making even the most mundane tasks -- shall we say...monumental? We have gotten pretty efficient at engineering mountains out of mole hills.
So, we could ask why should the work of sharing the Gospel be any different?
If you check out the backstory on dictionary.com about how the term throwing a monkey wrench into the works originated; you'll have a glimpse into why we are faced with so many obstacles. They define it as;
"This transfer of industrial sabotage—that is, throwing a tool inside machinery—to other subjects dates from the early 1900s."
There are many instances of industrial sabotage within the machinery of ministry.
Armed with that knowledge, we can ascertain that the reason challenges are going to be ever present: is the fact that outside influences have plenty of monkey wrenches on hand.
Going forward, let's present what may be the first major wrench in the machinery -- confusion. We might start off by asking the question, when did confusion first rear it's ugly head? The answer is pretty straight forward...in the Garden.
"This transfer of industrial sabotage—that is, throwing a tool inside machinery—to other subjects dates from the early 1900s."
There are many instances of industrial sabotage within the machinery of ministry.
Armed with that knowledge, we can ascertain that the reason challenges are going to be ever present: is the fact that outside influences have plenty of monkey wrenches on hand.
Going forward, let's present what may be the first major wrench in the machinery -- confusion. We might start off by asking the question, when did confusion first rear it's ugly head? The answer is pretty straight forward...in the Garden.
( Genesis 3 )
In his book, which was first published in 1988, Faith Misguided : Exposing the Dangers of Mysticism; Arthur L. Johnson makes this statement in the introduction.
"If we were seeking an appropriate label to describe the religious scene in the last three decades of the twentieth century, we would do well to consider it “the age of confusion.” There are many different religions in the Western world, each seeking adherents. They range from traditional Christian groups to oriental religions, from spiritist and occult movements to more traditional Western cults."
In subsequent installments we'll begin looking more in depth at the major catalyst of confusion, the influences of Mysticism.
"To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen."
My dear friend, if you have never received Christ as your Saviour, would you do so today? Pray this from your heart.
Dear Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe you died on the cross for my sins. I believe you were buried and rose the third day. I ask you now to forgive me of my sins and come into my heart and save me. Amen
In his book, which was first published in 1988, Faith Misguided : Exposing the Dangers of Mysticism; Arthur L. Johnson makes this statement in the introduction.
"If we were seeking an appropriate label to describe the religious scene in the last three decades of the twentieth century, we would do well to consider it “the age of confusion.” There are many different religions in the Western world, each seeking adherents. They range from traditional Christian groups to oriental religions, from spiritist and occult movements to more traditional Western cults."
In subsequent installments we'll begin looking more in depth at the major catalyst of confusion, the influences of Mysticism.
"To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen."
My dear friend, if you have never received Christ as your Saviour, would you do so today? Pray this from your heart.
Dear Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe you died on the cross for my sins. I believe you were buried and rose the third day. I ask you now to forgive me of my sins and come into my heart and save me. Amen
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