According to a news report: A church at a tribal-dominated village in the Banswara district of Rajasthan was converted into a temple on 9 March with the consecration of a Hindu deity in a peaceful ceremony after several families returned to Hinduism willingly. The church was constructed about one-and-a-half years ago and now has become a temple. Interestingly, the Christian priest who served in the church now has become the Hindu priest of the converted church, now called a temple. (Deccan Herald 9 March 2025) King Manasseh was so wicked that he installed idols inside the Temple in Jerusalem. (II Kings 21:7)
Nominalism: God ordained the Sabbath so that humans are reminded about the Law every week. They could gather, worship, listen to the scripture, read the Law including the Ten Commandments explained, and have fellowship meals and feasts. When reading and teaching were neglected, the whole spiritual exercise became a ritual without faith.
Novelty and trends: Manasseh was interested in experimenting with new things and hence thought the religiosity of other people around the nation was attractive to them. Instead of going to their religious shrines, he brought their worship and tried to integrate with the revealed religion of Judaism.
Novice: Paul writes that a novice should not be appointed as a leader. (I Timothy 5:19-20) In a hurry to project numbers for promotion, organizational popularity, and raising funds, many novices who have not even read one of the four gospels are ordained as pastors. How such leaders could lead others to their spiritual and mental level? Hence, many more are vulnerable to turning back from following the Lord Jesus Christ.
No education: The situation where this happened, there are many villages where the pastors are illiterate or semi-literate and do not have a basic understanding of the Christian faith. Some are pastors for the second or third generation (dynastic succession) who are illiterate. The children in the congregation do not go to school, and the church is not used for daily tuition. There is no wholesome transformation of individuals, families, and villages.
Am I a deeply rooted disciple?