Dr. Welborn states, in paragraph 1 of his comments, that transformation of the world is possible. Then, in paragraphs 2, 3 and 4, he sets out what he believes are the problems of this sin-cursed world and what he believes is the cure which will bring about the ‘structural change’ that he desires. From my understanding of the beliefs of fundamentalist, born-again, evangelical Christians, most, if not the vast majority of fundamentalist, born-again evangelical Christians would agree with Dr. Welborn’s words set out in paragraphs 2, 3 and 4.
The following is a quote from Wikipedia under the heading: ‘Christianity today in the United States’.
“Christianity is the most prevalent religion in the United States. In a 2015 survey, 75% of adults in the United States identified as Christians,[1][2] 70.6% in 2014,[3] 78% in 2012,[4] 81.6% in 2001,[5] and 85% in 1990.”
The following is a quote from Wikipedia under the heading: ‘Religion In Japan’.
“According to the annual statistical research on religion in 2018 by the Government of Japan's Agency for Culture Affairs, 69.0 percent of the population practices Shinto, 66.7 percent Buddhism, 1.5 percent Christianity, and 6.2 percent other religions.[3] (Total adherents exceed 100% because many Japanese people practice both Shintoism and Buddhism.)”
“Japan … has the lowest murder rate in the world of 0.2 per 100,000, has stringent weapons regulations. Obtaining a firearm involves a very lengthy application process, and murder is punishable by hanging.”
“A majority of the countries with the lowest homicide rates are located in Asia”.
The same website states that the USA murder rate is 5.35 per 100,000.
[It is my understanding that these numbers mean that there are 26.75 persons murdered every year in the USA for each person murdered in Japan.] Is my understanding correct?
If a nation such as the USA (which identifies as predominately Christian-75% in 2015) commits many more murders each year than does the nation of Japan (where 1.5% practices Christianity) [and if murder is a sin condemned by God] then what causes Dr. Welborn to believe that his proposed solution will bring about the transformation he desires.
If a Christian is identified to some extent by his actions (and not only by his beliefs) then should the actions of a Christian not be less violent than a non-Christian? Does the Bible not teach that a Christian’s actions should be consistent with Christian beliefs? Matthew 7:16. “Ye shall know them by their fruits”. What does that verse mean in the context of living the Christian life?
What does 1 Peter 1:16 mean? “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” If a Christian
is to be holy just as Jesus is holy, then how can a person be a holy Christian and a murderer at the same time?
Am I misunderstanding what Dr. Welborn is saying? If so, please let me know. If I am not misunderstanding Dr. Welborn, then how can his proposed solution be workable or plausible?
Just found this today. I think it's a great perspective. I'd add 2 other factors. One of the things that likely helped move things forward in the early 20th century was the Social Gospel movement, the forerunner of progressive Christianity today. It was belief in Jesus as not only a personal Savior but a Savior of social life that helped nudge at least some people toward a more just society.
Secondly, though, the matter of race is missing from the discussion. Racism actually got worse in the early 20th century, not only with lynchings but with the eugenics theories of the 1920s and 30s. By 1960 racism was only beginning to be addressed and overcome. It has been the period since then that has seen great progress, despite what still needs to be done.
So it's not a uniform movement of progress over 70 years, but advancement in some areas alongside delay in others, IMO. Nevertheless, this is an encouraging thought.
Why “slowly transform...”; why not transformation that is, if not immediate, then certainly prescient to its correlative circumstances?
Where is the reference to the Gospel of Jesus Christ; why no mention of the saving, life changing power of the holy, innocent shed blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ upon the Cross of Calvary as God’s greatest gift of love to fallen, sinful humanity? If utopia is desired on this sin-cursed, doomed present world, then why wait?
The “structural change” referenced above as a necessary cure for what presently ails this sick and dying world which “groans” under the collective weight of its sinful, fallen nature has come historically-speaking through philosophical, political, and military power; and is, has been only, at best, temporary in its restorative effects!
The “structural change” needed here is that which has always been so needed: the transformation of our sinful nature from which was and is always antagonistic to God toward our new nature which is redeemed and made whole, and now in its former right(-eous) relationship with God realized only “by grace through faith” in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the power of His Holy Spirit dwelling within all who believe in His Name.
The curious crowd rushed out of their town that day to see with their own eyes what they had heard with their own ears: the former lunatic, wild raving madman was transformed, he had changed in a moment’s time; and, when they came to him they found him not as they had known him formerly—wild-eyed, maniacal, bleeding profusely from self-inflicted wounds, breaking chains and ropes, and heads, too—but they found him as they now must know him: seated and clothed and thinking rationally and speaking clearly the Good News that he had seen, met and been transformed by Jesus Christ Whose Gospel (“Good News”) remains to this day the only sure and true transformative power to bring lasting and, ultimately, permanent (eternal) structural change in our lives.
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Dr. Welborn states, in paragraph 1 of his comments, that transformation of the world is possible. Then, in paragraphs 2, 3 and 4, he sets out what he believes are the problems of this sin-cursed world and what he believes is the cure which will bring about the ‘structural change’ that he desires. From my understanding of the beliefs of fundamentalist, born-again, evangelical Christians, most, if not the vast majority of fundamentalist, born-again evangelical Christians would agree with Dr. Welborn’s words set out in paragraphs 2, 3 and 4.
The following is a quote from Wikipedia under the heading: ‘Christianity today in the United States’.
“Christianity is the most prevalent religion in the United States. In a 2015 survey, 75% of adults in the United States identified as Christians,[1][2] 70.6% in 2014,[3] 78% in 2012,[4] 81.6% in 2001,[5] and 85% in 1990.”
The following is a quote from Wikipedia under the heading: ‘Religion In Japan’.
“According to the annual statistical research on religion in 2018 by the Government of Japan's Agency for Culture Affairs, 69.0 percent of the population practices Shinto, 66.7 percent Buddhism, 1.5 percent Christianity, and 6.2 percent other religions.[3] (Total adherents exceed 100% because many Japanese people practice both Shintoism and Buddhism.)”
The following information is from the website: https://worldpopulationreview.com
“Japan … has the lowest murder rate in the world of 0.2 per 100,000, has stringent weapons regulations. Obtaining a firearm involves a very lengthy application process, and murder is punishable by hanging.”
“A majority of the countries with the lowest homicide rates are located in Asia”.
The same website states that the USA murder rate is 5.35 per 100,000.
[It is my understanding that these numbers mean that there are 26.75 persons murdered every year in the USA for each person murdered in Japan.] Is my understanding correct?
If a nation such as the USA (which identifies as predominately Christian-75% in 2015) commits many more murders each year than does the nation of Japan (where 1.5% practices Christianity) [and if murder is a sin condemned by God] then what causes Dr. Welborn to believe that his proposed solution will bring about the transformation he desires.
If a Christian is identified to some extent by his actions (and not only by his beliefs) then should the actions of a Christian not be less violent than a non-Christian? Does the Bible not teach that a Christian’s actions should be consistent with Christian beliefs? Matthew 7:16. “Ye shall know them by their fruits”. What does that verse mean in the context of living the Christian life?
What does 1 Peter 1:16 mean? “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” If a Christian
is to be holy just as Jesus is holy, then how can a person be a holy Christian and a murderer at the same time?
Am I misunderstanding what Dr. Welborn is saying? If so, please let me know. If I am not misunderstanding Dr. Welborn, then how can his proposed solution be workable or plausible?
Just found this today. I think it's a great perspective. I'd add 2 other factors. One of the things that likely helped move things forward in the early 20th century was the Social Gospel movement, the forerunner of progressive Christianity today. It was belief in Jesus as not only a personal Savior but a Savior of social life that helped nudge at least some people toward a more just society.
Secondly, though, the matter of race is missing from the discussion. Racism actually got worse in the early 20th century, not only with lynchings but with the eugenics theories of the 1920s and 30s. By 1960 racism was only beginning to be addressed and overcome. It has been the period since then that has seen great progress, despite what still needs to be done.
So it's not a uniform movement of progress over 70 years, but advancement in some areas alongside delay in others, IMO. Nevertheless, this is an encouraging thought.
Why “slowly transform...”; why not transformation that is, if not immediate, then certainly prescient to its correlative circumstances?
Where is the reference to the Gospel of Jesus Christ; why no mention of the saving, life changing power of the holy, innocent shed blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ upon the Cross of Calvary as God’s greatest gift of love to fallen, sinful humanity? If utopia is desired on this sin-cursed, doomed present world, then why wait?
The “structural change” referenced above as a necessary cure for what presently ails this sick and dying world which “groans” under the collective weight of its sinful, fallen nature has come historically-speaking through philosophical, political, and military power; and is, has been only, at best, temporary in its restorative effects!
The “structural change” needed here is that which has always been so needed: the transformation of our sinful nature from which was and is always antagonistic to God toward our new nature which is redeemed and made whole, and now in its former right(-eous) relationship with God realized only “by grace through faith” in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the power of His Holy Spirit dwelling within all who believe in His Name.
The curious crowd rushed out of their town that day to see with their own eyes what they had heard with their own ears: the former lunatic, wild raving madman was transformed, he had changed in a moment’s time; and, when they came to him they found him not as they had known him formerly—wild-eyed, maniacal, bleeding profusely from self-inflicted wounds, breaking chains and ropes, and heads, too—but they found him as they now must know him: seated and clothed and thinking rationally and speaking clearly the Good News that he had seen, met and been transformed by Jesus Christ Whose Gospel (“Good News”) remains to this day the only sure and true transformative power to bring lasting and, ultimately, permanent (eternal) structural change in our lives.
Dr. Ronny Welborn, Ed.D.