How true is this cycle

[Salty]

Individuals, churches, denominations, governments, ect...

The eight steps from Spiritual Faith to Bondage

This link goes into more detail

 

[Ben1445]

Taken from the link.

 

[Ben1445]

It is reminiscent of a common political cycle.

Good men make good times.
Good times make weak men.
Weak men make bad times.
Bad times make good men.
Good men make good times.


I probably mutilated that a bit. It is the best I could do on the fly.

There is also one for the book of Judges.

Sin
Suffering
Sorrow
Salvation

There is another way I think alliterated with r’s
Repentance and restoration.
I don’t remember the the other two.

There is nothing new under the sun.

 

[JonC]

I think the cycle may be true for many, unfortunately. But it seems to be connected to faithfulness only in bad times hoping only for a rescue. I call that "situational faith". Like there being no atheists in fox holes.

Christians have a different path. Bondage - faith - sanctification (as a process). Sanctification is "moving from glory to glory" rather than a cycle. The flesh is revealed and put to death, another aspect of the flesh is revealed and put to death....and so on.

 

[Van]

The dark side preaches futility, the kingdom of light preaches opportunity.

 

[Ben1445]

These things should not happen to individuals cyclically. Churches that last longer than individuals don’t pass on their liberty by default. It takes some good teaching and no lack of salvation and the work of God to keep generations of men from cycling through the same process.