{"id":4250,"date":"2022-08-16T13:53:55","date_gmt":"2022-08-16T18:53:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/patrickbriney.com\/?p=4250"},"modified":"2022-08-16T13:54:02","modified_gmt":"2022-08-16T18:54:02","slug":"how-depravity-causes-worldview-conflict","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/patrickbriney.com\/how-depravity-causes-worldview-conflict\/","title":{"rendered":"HOW DEPRAVITY CAUSES WORLDVIEW CONFLICT"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

CONFLICT IS POLITICAL<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Where there are two or more people, there will be disagreement. In a community or a nation, people who disagree will rally support for their position and strive to persuade others. This is called politics. Politics can be friendly or nasty. This depends on the people involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

SOUNDING THE ALARM WITHOUT FEAR<\/h2>\n\n\n\n


This lesson is part of a series of lessons on worldview conflict. In this series, I intend to show the evidence and trend of worldview conflict in our culture, the cause of worldview conflict, and the solution to worldview conflict. The evidence and the trends are alarming, but my intent is not to cause alarm for the sake of causing alarm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


As Christians, we do not need to be fearful, fretful, or disheartened. We need to be informed, equipped, and committed to persist into our future, regardless of what may come. Decisions are only as good as the information we have, so being informed and educated is essential to the health of churches. The Spirit of God has been guiding us, educating us, and informing us by a variety of means. The most important question raised by our experience is whether we are listening to the Spirit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


To introduce this series of messages about worldview conflict, I presented the lesson titled, Preparing For The Future<\/em>. I spoke about preparing for the future as described by Paul in First Timothy 4:1\u20142. I explained the phenomenon of being slowly cooked to death as it applies to Christians slipping away from God. I described the agenda of Satan, also known as the god of this world, due to so many accepting his ways, rather than God\u2019s way. I explained the bright side of all this creeping and increasing darkness due to light appearing brighter when things are darker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

THE ALARMING TREND<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I showed a graph published by the Barna Group showing the trend of Christianity in the US. This chart shows that the decline of practicing Christians began over twenty years ago, that there was a sharp decline in 2009 and that the decline continued until 2018 to 25% of those surveyed, which persisted into 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


I am waiting for the results of a new survey for 2022\u20142023. You might wonder, why I did not mention 2021? A survey for 2021 won\u2019t answer the question of decline in practicing Christians. Many churches cautioned their members to stay home for safety\u2019s sake. Most closed their doors. The survey for that time period will show the obvious. Church attendance declined, and we know the reason. The telling survey will be what are the results for 2022 and 2023 after the doors to all churches in the US were open? Will the trend that began in 2009 continue? Will there be a greater rate of decline for 2022\u20142023? Will there be no change or an increase? Past events show that more people turn to God and churches during times of crisis. I am curious to see if more people indicate they prayed during the 2021 pandemic shutdowns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Surveys of US churches are interesting and give us insight into the big picture. Interpreting surveys often raise questions that might not otherwise be asked. Generalized statistics and surveys do not represent individual churches. Generalized statistics and surveys serve as benchmarks for individual churches to compare themselves and to evaluate their experiences in the context of the general population. Information about the population context helps churches more accurately understand their experiences and to determine what to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

UNDERSTANDING OUR TIMES<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gaining understanding about our world and politics is Biblical. 1 Chronicles 12:32 says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\u201cAnd of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n


How did the children of Issachar gain understanding? Were they the only ones who understood the times? Undoubtedly, they were enlightened by God in addition to their knowledge of the politics between the factions of Saul and David. They knew what side to choose to fight for, and they understood why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

POLITICS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I want to take a moment to explain politics due to the confusion in how the word is used. Politics refers to the social and governing activities of a community. Politics are unavoidable when you have two or more people working together. When everyone agrees with the decision about how to do things, politics are of no concern. There is unity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


But inevitably at some time, there are disagreements. Where there are people, you can expect different opinions. Disagreeing about how things should be done is normal. In a healthy political system, disagreements are resolved or accepted. A healthy political system means that the individuals in the community respect God and others. They engage in healthy, honest debate and accept the final decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


But healthy, honest debate requires respect for God and others. In a world governed by carnal Christians and the lost, healthy, honest debate will not happen. This brings us to how most people use the word politics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


We do not use the word politics <\/em>to describe the activities in the government of groups unless there is disagreement. And not surprisingly, where there are people, there are problems. In Psalm 116:11, David wrote,<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\u201cI said in my haste, All men are liars.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n


People are sinners and influenced by unethical inclinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

DISHONESTY IN POLITICS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In our world of carnal Christians and lost leaders, differences are often contested without integrity. Arguments are made dishonestly. This gives politics a bad connotation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Disagreements are not the problem in politics. The problem in politics is the lack of integrity to honestly debate disagreements. Healthy politics is the ability to govern with respect for God and fellow citizens. Without respect for God and fellow citizens, politics becomes a contest for control by any means. In other words, the end justifies the means. This results in agenda driven tactics without regard for honesty and moral values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

THE QUEST TO WIN REGARDLESS OF TRUTH<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Agenda driven politics is where we are today. The lying, the cheating, the deception, the disinformation campaigns, the censorship, and the power grab to control opponents are characteristics of an unhealthy political system. Due to the ever-present depravity in humanity, politics cannot exist in health. Politics of humanity is doomed to be in a constant state of unhealth due to a lack of integrity that comes from disrespect for God and for others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

POLITICS WITHOUT PRINCIPLE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frederick Lewis Donaldson in Westminster Abbey, London, on March 20, 1925, summed up the consequences of human sin nature saying, in his sermon, The Seven Social Sins are,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Wealth without work.<\/li>
  2. Pleasure without conscience.<\/li>
  3. Knowledge without character.<\/li>
  4. Commerce without morality.<\/li>
  5. Science without humanity.<\/li>
  6. Worship without sacrifice.<\/li>
  7. Politics without principle.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    HUMANITY NEEDS POLITICS WITH PRINCIPLE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    With the insight that politics refers to the activities of governing a community of people, that politics is unavoidable, and that human depravity corrupts politics, like it corrupts everything else, we can see there is a desperate need for godly Christians to provide leadership in our politics today. We need people who understand our times and who will rise and lead as civil servants. We need people like the children of Issachar who know what to do in times such as these. We need civil leaders like David and Solomon. We need judges in the land like Samuel. We need prophets like Jeremiah and Elijah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    HUMANITY NEEDS CHRISTIAN LEADERS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    We need leaders who understand the practical and relevant application of Scripture to all areas of life individually and socially, spiritually, and civilly. We need leaders who comprehend that God does not want to compartmentalize our lives and ignore some compartments. Rather, God wants us to do everything for Him. First Corinthians 10:31 says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n


    \u201cWhether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n


    Colossians 3:17 says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n


    \u201cAnd whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n


    Colossians 3:23 says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n


    \u201cAnd whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n


    David was a king who loved God. Moses and Joshua led the nation of Israel as godly men. These men were leaders who knew God, listened to God, and influenced others to know God. These were godly men who obeyed God and taught others to do likewise. Their goals were to do right and to uphold truth. These are the kind of leaders humanity needs today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you would like to listen to the audio or video presentation of this message, click this link<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Where there are two or more people, there will be disagreement. In a community or a nation, people who disagree will rally support for their position and strive to persuade others. This is called politics. Politics can be friendly or nasty. This depends on the people involved.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4252,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[45],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/patrickbriney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Worldview-depravity-0.jpg",1920,800,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/patrickbriney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Worldview-depravity-0-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/patrickbriney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Worldview-depravity-0-480x200.jpg",480,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/patrickbriney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Worldview-depravity-0-768x320.jpg",768,320,true],"large":["https:\/\/patrickbriney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Worldview-depravity-0-1024x427.jpg",1024,427,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/patrickbriney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Worldview-depravity-0-1536x640.jpg",1536,640,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/patrickbriney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Worldview-depravity-0.jpg",1920,800,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Dr. Patrick Briney","author_link":"https:\/\/patrickbriney.com\/author\/prbriney\/"},"uagb_comment_info":2,"uagb_excerpt":"Where there are two or more people, there will be disagreement. In a community or a nation, people who disagree will rally support for their position and strive to persuade others. This is called politics. Politics can be friendly or nasty. This depends on the people involved.","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/patrickbriney.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4250"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/patrickbriney.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/patrickbriney.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/patrickbriney.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/patrickbriney.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4250"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/patrickbriney.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4250\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4264,"href":"https:\/\/patrickbriney.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4250\/revisions\/4264"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/patrickbriney.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4252"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/patrickbriney.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4250"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/patrickbriney.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4250"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/patrickbriney.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4250"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}