It would be easy to write a lengthy list of issues, but I will try to limit my observations to those difficulties which are distinctively American, or at least are not entirely ubiquitous throughout the earth.
Most apparent to me is the low regard for morality WITHIN the majority of the visible church, compared even to the secular societies of other nations. Immodesty and ostentatious shows of wealth are maintained without shame, while, in the days of instant wire transfers and FED-Ex, individuals leave off from charitable works. The local poor are not fed by their closest Christian neighbor, and rarely does he wonder, "that man may be the temple of God's Spirit," as he holds back the dollar of comfort for his own pleasures.
Next is the reckless pace of our culture, running from task to task, too hurried to study and therefore running dimly on dangerous paths.
"Instantaneous ideals" foster the disdain of true discipline. Pastors approve their flocks ten hours of vain entertainment to purchase the one spent in study.
Practical illiteracy caused by two generations birthed, bred, fed, and groomed by television programming, have produced a culture distinctly recognized throughout the world for "knowing almost everything about almost nothing that matters, while understanding little of what does."
The psuedo-independence of American Democracy leads every man to become his own [i]theologia-finale[/i], while slyly directing him to build only within the safe squares of accepted standards.
Generally, we do not accept fervent men who tell us, "this must be done," even if they have clear scriptural support. We demand easy-going instruction; too delicate for anything but kid-gloves; a society of easily-bruised fruits.
The limp in the leg of the American body is one that we have all joined in:
[b]We do not educate our precious zealots. [/b]Instead, we castrate, muzzle, or exile them.
Lest anyone think that I absolve myself of these things, I am guilty of the whole. May God bless America's body of elect saints.
My biggest challenge is standing up against my own breeding in this society.
