The most fecund period for the spread of the Gospel, and seemingly for people genuinely acting Christlike, was during the first three hundred years of the Church, which suffered intermittent and often brutal persecution. The Romans were much like the Nazis in providing extensive and detailed records about everything that happened. Roman chronicles about the Christians over that course of three centuries often mentioned the most persistent and annoying quality about them: their love.
They lived as perscribed by the Bible: as citizens of heaven, strangers in a strange land, foreigners and aliens in any country, ambassadors only for the kingdom of God. Then they were accepted into society, given a privileged seat, and the rest is history. Persecutions of Jews and pagans quickly followed. A worldly heirarchy and system put in firm place. Earthly power was sought and obtained. Treasure here was deemed important and worth pursuit. The kingdom of God went topsy-turvy.

I believe that America as we know it will collapse. Our time has come full circle through the governmental lifecycle. I believe that history does repeat itself, and where we are today we have already gone over the fiscal cliff.
There is no economic model that illustrates us coming out of the huge economic weight we are saddled with. The impending collapse of the petrodollar and US Dollar losing global reserve currency status will lead us into a new era, a new government system, following the years of strife.
I follow some world economists that are making this case, such as Ned Goodman & Michael Coffman.

Google the italicized phrases for a wealth of supporting sources on these subjects.
17 Trillion dollars in national debt is only a small part of the equation. It is the Unfunded liabilities that is killing us.
http://usdebtclock.org/
Look at that bottom line, $126 trillion and growing a million dollars every 10 seconds.
17 + 126 = 143.....that's 143 trillion right this second, and growing rapidly. Both sides are to blame for this, as neither side wants to address the political hot potato (except for the Tea Party- unfortunately it's too late).

We have already gone over the fiscal cliff, smooth sailing until we hit bottom.

Thank you for opening this discussion, it is definitely needed. And welcome to wonderland.

We the people can only get something done if we begin to see each other as imago dei, or at least with the respect both stated and implied by the Declaration of Independence and our Bill of Rights; not to do so seems un-American. We can't begin to fix the many problems in this country until we fix ourselves.

It takes a good deal of both courage and grace to extend a hand across the aisle, especially given all the insults and name calling that goes on. Yet this is what we need from the Christians here and across the nation. Love of enemy is a commandment, not a suggestion. Christians need to stop their complaints in exchange for opening dialogues. Looking at ourselves to where we are flawed and allowing God to work on us will lead the way to better overall relationships with all involved in this "great experiment' called the United States of America.

Practicing the principles of gentleness and kindness to all no matter what the provocation or problem, not engaging in like behavior of hate or derision, is like putting "burning hot coals on the heads" of the opposition. Preach the gospel at all times and where necessary use words.

You're doing great. I know some here would say there are no rules of conduct, though there is a TOS, but generally one point is insisted on: using "Quote Reply" when addressing particular posters. You learned that quickly enough. Stepping on toes here is often the dance, though it is not to be taken as a rule of conduct. From my experience here and in the world, one could say "Good morning" and some "toe" would cry ouch and take exception. Or maybe just wonder what you meant by that.

Thank you for opening this discussion, it is definitely needed. And welcome to wonderland.

We the people can only get something done if we begin to see each other as imago dei, or at least with the respect both stated and implied by the Declaration of Independence and our Bill of Rights; not to do so seems un-American. We can't begin to fix the many problems in this country until we fix ourselves.

It takes a good deal of both courage and grace to extend a hand across the aisle, especially given all the insults and name calling that goes on. Yet this is what we need from the Christians here and across the nation. Love of enemy is a commandment, not a suggestion. Christians need to stop their complaints in exchange for opening dialogues. Looking at ourselves to where we are flawed and allowing God to work on us will lead the way to better overall relationships with all involved in this "great experiment' called the United States of America.

Practicing the principles of gentleness and kindness to all no matter what the provocation or problem, not engaging in like behavior of hate or derision, is like putting "burning hot coals on the heads" of the opposition. Preach the gospel at all times and where necessary use words.

I believe that the decline of Christianity in America (as can be seen in geopolitical history in other cultures as well) can be found in two distinct reasons.

1) Utopian Gov't model. Man has through the ages followed the belief that a Gov't given enough resources can cure society's ills. In American history we see that the ministries of the church have been taken over by the Gov't in many differing areas. Education had been a very prominent ministry of the local churches - Horace Mann didn't believe that the church should be teaching children and advocated for a Gov't run school system which would exclude Christ from the classroom. Most Hospitals were created as ministries of the church (thus so many denomination names- which are fading fast). The Catholics still have a footprint in healthcare, but the declining number of nuns working in the hospitals has led to secularization. Feeding and clothing the poor has also been taken over by the Gov't in the name of Safety Net. The local churches that still have food pantries are but a fraction of the size they once held.
The Gov't has taken over many of these traditional areas of Church Ministry, which leaves many in the local church without meaningful roles in service.
This Utopian Gov't model has existed throughout all ages, and it never comes to fruition, because the underlying premise of the nature of man is overlooked.

2) The second reason for the decline of Christianity in America has to do with the wealth (comfort level) of the individual. Even the poor in America live better off than the average person in third world cultures. Those of means are more willing to give money than actually serve (not to mention the money given is often less than their taxes paid). A person can make a huge impact in the business world, but the impact afforded the local church has drastically be minimized.

What do I think the solution is?
Persecution. I hate to say it, but I believe it to be true. If it is too easy to be a "Christian" then the value afforded that faith is diminished. Persecution (separating the chaff from the grain) would provide intrinsic value to faith in Christ.

I've been a Christian since 1982. I have seen a great falling away of the Church, since those days. The Church has brought in messianic jews, trying to mix Judaism and Christianity together, Churches, bringing in the word of faith teaching, harlem shake dancing, purpose driven life teaching, of Rich Warren. Satan is at work. Try follow a TV preacher, and you will find they are after money. With this going on, you can;t hardly find anyone who is interested in the gospel of Christ. We have four major false religions to deal with,(catholic, J.W. 's, Mormon and islam. Christianity, is being attacked, by the politicians, press, public, atheist etc. I think we are very, very close to the rapture. What do you think.