Where is the American Church? Three Essays on Salvation, Sin and Judgment

This is a collection of essays written from the vantage point of belief in the Bible as the sole rule of faith and practice for Christians. It does not attempt to prove the truth of the Bible, except incidentally, in response to specific secular criticisms. Rather, it presupposes that truth, and is hence primarily aimed at a Christian audience (though it is hoped that some on the opposing side will have an interest in responses in the 2nd essay to common criticisms of the Bible and of Christian faith). The essays do not have to be read in any particular order.  The first essay ("The Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Christian Life") explores some fundamental weaknesses in doctrine and practice in the Bible-believing churches that prevent them from presenting the reality of Christ and from responding to secular challenges as well as they might. These include superficial concepts of repentance and faith, derived from superficial concepts of God’s holiness and our sinfulness.  The second ("The Decline of Christianity and the Oppositions of Radical Secularism") deals with some key points of secular opposition to biblical Christianity. This includes brief overviews of such topics as the massacres of the Canaanites; biblical slavery; the sacrifice of Isaac; the creation account in Genesis; and other relevant topics.  Also discussed are the inherent deficiencies and crimes of secularism, along with a brief overview of Nietzsche’s The Antichrist, his bitter attack on Christianity completed shortly before his collapse into insanity. The purpose is not to refute his work, but merely to expose it. The third ("The Wrath of God?") deals with the subject of God’s sovereign anger, not as it will be manifested in the end times or the tribulation, but as it might be relevant to the United States today, in our present situation. Is America now as a nation coming under the direct judgment of God?