Comments on: Europe: God is Not Finished Yet http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2009/08/25/europe-god-is-not-finished-yet/ Bill Muehlenberg's commentary on issues of the day... Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:03:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: wesley bruce http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2009/08/25/europe-god-is-not-finished-yet/comment-page-1/#comment-151807 wesley bruce Wed, 26 Aug 2009 04:11:59 +0000 http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/?p=1831#comment-151807 I have had the same perception of Europe, some good things are underway there. Most don't know that the dominant party in the European Parliament is a Christian Democrat Party the EPP and its discovering a little backbone in the face of attacks from the old left and the far right. The Parliament is a toothless tiger but in a crisis that can change. Another pattern we're seeing is a falling off among Muslim immigrants. Islam always exaggerated its power and size. It always claimed Christian immigrants from Turkey and the Middle East in the 'Muslim' numbers inflating its numbers and apparent power for political reasons. Womens refugees in some European countries are filled with Muslim battered wives and daughters. Many leave the faith in the process and are given new identity papers by feminist organizations. Islam hates the west because here it looses many to other faiths and often can't enforce the Apposite penalties (the loss of property and life). It looses many young people to secularism, particularly those with university educations. The first country to open its doors to the Christian refugees fleeing Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan will be greatly blessed. I can't see the USA or Australia taking that step but aging Europe is at the point where many see the need to balance Islamic immigration. Also falling real population and rising sustainable energy means many of the limits to growth arguments against immigration have less power in Europe than here. One consequence of the current trend to conservative governments in Europe, Christian democrat governments, is that the Christian influenced democratic governments now form the biggest single block in the UN. If they operate as a block then significant changes at the global level may occur. God is holding back a huge number of blessing at the moment. I see a dozen technologies held up by humanist errors, corruption and red tape. When the church moves back to him he will release them. Wesley Bruce I have had the same perception of Europe, some good things are underway there. Most don’t know that the dominant party in the European Parliament is a Christian Democrat Party the EPP and its discovering a little backbone in the face of attacks from the old left and the far right. The Parliament is a toothless tiger but in a crisis that can change.

Another pattern we’re seeing is a falling off among Muslim immigrants. Islam always exaggerated its power and size. It always claimed Christian immigrants from Turkey and the Middle East in the ‘Muslim’ numbers inflating its numbers and apparent power for political reasons.

Womens refugees in some European countries are filled with Muslim battered wives and daughters. Many leave the faith in the process and are given new identity papers by feminist organizations.

Islam hates the west because here it looses many to other faiths and often can’t enforce the Apposite penalties (the loss of property and life). It looses many young people to secularism, particularly those with university educations.

The first country to open its doors to the Christian refugees fleeing Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan will be greatly blessed. I can’t see the USA or Australia taking that step but aging Europe is at the point where many see the need to balance Islamic immigration. Also falling real population and rising sustainable energy means many of the limits to growth arguments against immigration have less power in Europe than here.

One consequence of the current trend to conservative governments in Europe, Christian democrat governments, is that the Christian influenced democratic governments now form the biggest single block in the UN. If they operate as a block then significant changes at the global level may occur.

God is holding back a huge number of blessing at the moment. I see a dozen technologies held up by humanist errors, corruption and red tape. When the church moves back to him he will release them.

Wesley Bruce

]]> By: Stefan Pittari http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2009/08/25/europe-god-is-not-finished-yet/comment-page-1/#comment-151805 Stefan Pittari Wed, 26 Aug 2009 04:06:35 +0000 http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/?p=1831#comment-151805 A friend of mine recently said we need more happy Christian marriages. It must be important that every Christain strives (through prayer, counseling, and other action) to lead an example of good happiness (also 'Blessed' as described in the Beatitudes) in whatever Christian vocation they are called to (marriage, priest or minister, religious, single). In this way many other people will be attracted to these Christian vocations. Stefan Pittari A friend of mine recently said we need more happy Christian marriages. It must be important that every Christain strives (through prayer, counseling, and other action) to lead an example of good happiness (also ‘Blessed’ as described in the Beatitudes) in whatever Christian vocation they are called to (marriage, priest or minister, religious, single). In this way many other people will be attracted to these Christian vocations.
Stefan Pittari

]]> By: Donna Murphy http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2009/08/25/europe-god-is-not-finished-yet/comment-page-1/#comment-151800 Donna Murphy Wed, 26 Aug 2009 01:59:29 +0000 http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/?p=1831#comment-151800 A wonderful example of the Holy Spirit moving in Europe (and elsewhere in the world) is World Youth Day. The world watches while millions of young people gather to worship Jesus, and hear catechesis programs encouraging them to turn their lives around and live lives of purity and chastity and love of Jesus. Paris 1997 (1.2 million), Rome 2000 (2 million), Cologne 2005 (1.2 million), not to mention countries such as the Philippines (4 million !!) Check this photo in the Daily Telegraph of Cologne 2005 for a witness to the world... http://resources1.news.com.au/images/2007/06/27/va1237253856291/Surge-in-World-Youth-Day-numbers-5543403.jpg Parishes confirm that following these events there is a huge increase in young people coming back to the Church, and a significant increase in vocations in the host country. Even secular bodies, such as the police, say they have never seen such large gatherings of young people who are so well behaved and happy. What a fantastic witness to the fact the Christianity is alive and well. Donna Murphy A wonderful example of the Holy Spirit moving in Europe (and elsewhere in the world) is World Youth Day.
The world watches while millions of young people gather to worship Jesus, and hear catechesis programs encouraging them to turn their lives around and live lives of purity and chastity and love of Jesus.
Paris 1997 (1.2 million), Rome 2000 (2 million), Cologne 2005 (1.2 million), not to mention countries such as the Philippines (4 million !!)
Check this photo in the Daily Telegraph of Cologne 2005 for a witness to the world…
resources1.news.com.au/images/2007/06/27/va1237253856291/Surge-in-World-Youth-Day-numbers-5543403.jpg
Parishes confirm that following these events there is a huge increase in young people coming back to the Church, and a significant increase in vocations in the host country. Even secular bodies, such as the police, say they have never seen such large gatherings of young people who are so well behaved and happy.
What a fantastic witness to the fact the Christianity is alive and well.
Donna Murphy

]]> By: wayne http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2009/08/25/europe-god-is-not-finished-yet/comment-page-1/#comment-151781 wayne Tue, 25 Aug 2009 22:20:16 +0000 http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/?p=1831#comment-151781 Thank God for those faithful missionaries who preached and lived the Gospel in Africa, as their ministries are now bearing fruit in those African Christians who are starting Churches in Europe. I agree with Father Fleming - good to see him in print here - that there is also a movement within the Catholic Church in Europe, that is the work of the Holy Spririt. Although Islam seems to be a constant presence in Europe, and secularism appears to be the main faith, the fact that there was a large gathering of believers in Stuttgart gives us hope. Wayne Pelling Thank God for those faithful missionaries who preached and lived the Gospel in Africa, as their ministries are now bearing fruit in those African Christians who are starting Churches in Europe. I agree with Father Fleming – good to see him in print here – that there is also a movement within the Catholic Church in Europe, that is the work of the Holy Spririt.
Although Islam seems to be a constant presence in Europe, and secularism appears to be the main faith, the fact that there was a large gathering of believers in Stuttgart gives us hope.
Wayne Pelling

]]> By: Barry Koh http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2009/08/25/europe-god-is-not-finished-yet/comment-page-1/#comment-151727 Barry Koh Tue, 25 Aug 2009 09:42:04 +0000 http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/?p=1831#comment-151727 Bill, Whatever is happening in the world, God is still in control. Seems like He lost control but that's not so because we only comprehend things with our finite minds and understanding. It's great news to hear the gospel is now moving from the east to the west, and from the south to the north, something you would not even think about some decades ago. This is the start of the era of reverse evangelism, the sovereign move of God. Christians groups and individuals from the east and south, migrate to western countries, not purely because of the negative push factors in their homelands but very often with the hope and desire to be a spark to light up the fire of God again in the west ; to be an instrument in bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ back to the lands that once sent out numerous self-sacrificial and dedicated missionaries to them, missionaries who preached the gospel and established many educational,medical and social amenities and services. Our God Reigns and may He bless His church abundantly in the north and the south, in the east and the west. Barry Koh Bill,
Whatever is happening in the world, God is still in control. Seems like He lost control but that’s not so because we only comprehend things with our finite minds and understanding.
It’s great news to hear the gospel is now moving from the east to the west, and from the south to the north, something you would not even think about some decades ago. This is the start of the era of reverse evangelism, the sovereign move of God.
Christians groups and individuals from the east and south, migrate to western countries, not purely because of the negative push factors in their homelands but very often with the hope and desire to be a spark to light up the fire of God again in the west ; to be an instrument in bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ back to the lands that once sent out numerous self-sacrificial and dedicated missionaries to them, missionaries who preached the
gospel and established many educational,medical and social amenities and services.
Our God Reigns and may He bless His church abundantly in the north and the south, in the east and the west.
Barry Koh

]]> By: Jon Newton http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2009/08/25/europe-god-is-not-finished-yet/comment-page-1/#comment-151710 Jon Newton Tue, 25 Aug 2009 05:08:53 +0000 http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/?p=1831#comment-151710 Very encouraging news Bill. While we dare not ignore the things Satan is trying to do in the earth, we must rejoice in what the Holy Spirit is doing. Jesus is still on the throne. Jon Newton Very encouraging news Bill. While we dare not ignore the things Satan is trying to do in the earth, we must rejoice in what the Holy Spirit is doing. Jesus is still on the throne.
Jon Newton

]]> By: Bill Muehlenberg http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2009/08/25/europe-god-is-not-finished-yet/comment-page-1/#comment-151695 Bill Muehlenberg Tue, 25 Aug 2009 02:13:38 +0000 http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/?p=1831#comment-151695 Thanks John I did mention the crossing of denominational barriers in Europe. Yes, God is moving in the Catholic churches there, as he is also in some of the more mainstream Protestant churches. There are numerous renewal movements at work both in the older denominations as well as the much newer ones. As but one example of Christian cooperation, in 2004, 10,000 believers (Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox) met in Stuttgart for the <i>Together for Europe</i> campaign. So yes, things are happening in many different parts of the Christian church in Europe. Thanks for writing. Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch Thanks John

I did mention the crossing of denominational barriers in Europe. Yes, God is moving in the Catholic churches there, as he is also in some of the more mainstream Protestant churches. There are numerous renewal movements at work both in the older denominations as well as the much newer ones.

As but one example of Christian cooperation, in 2004, 10,000 believers (Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox) met in Stuttgart for the Together for Europe campaign. So yes, things are happening in many different parts of the Christian church in Europe. Thanks for writing.

Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch

]]> By: Fr John Fleming http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2009/08/25/europe-god-is-not-finished-yet/comment-page-1/#comment-151694 Fr John Fleming Tue, 25 Aug 2009 02:05:11 +0000 http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/?p=1831#comment-151694 Dear Bill I always enjoy reading your thoughts which are always so well expressed, so soundly based, rational, and deeply Christian. In your thoughts on Europe you mention evangelicalism but not Catholicism. Why is that? I believe that there are many positive things happening among young Catholics as well. I know that the main institutional Churches have often strayed. But, whatever her failings, the Catholic Church still remains faithful to the Gospel, especially as it should inform social policy. Not really a criticism, more a comment from me. Fr John Fleming Dear Bill

I always enjoy reading your thoughts which are always so well expressed, so soundly based, rational, and deeply Christian. In your thoughts on Europe you mention evangelicalism but not Catholicism. Why is that? I believe that there are many positive things happening among young Catholics as well. I know that the main institutional Churches have often strayed. But, whatever her failings, the Catholic Church still remains faithful to the Gospel, especially as it should inform social policy. Not really a criticism, more a comment from me.

Fr John Fleming

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