It's striking how a death spiral occurs in erstwhile Christian denominations. It begins when the clergy become secularized. They no longer subscribe to biblical supernaturalism. That's reflected in their seminaries, their theologians and Bible scholars. That's reflected in their sermons. Churches become lifeless. Congregations dwindle. This can operate at a national level. Consider modern-day Europe.
In response, the clergy just keep lowering the bar. Making Christianity ever easier to accept by requiring ever less in terms of faith and practice. But that's a failed strategy.
Paradoxically, people are drawn to demanding, sacrificial, idealistic causes. Something to get behind. Something grand to live for. They like the challenge. Difficulty is a stimulus to thought and action.
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