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*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_century 1552]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_century 1552]

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*1: to lapse [[morally]] or in the [[practice]] of [[religion]]

*1: to lapse [[morally]] or in the [[practice]] of [[religion]]

*2: to revert to a worse condition : [[retrogress]]  

*2: to revert to a worse condition : [[retrogress]]  

==Description==

==Description==

'''Backsliding''', also known as falling away, is a term used within [[Christianity]] to describe a [[process]] by which an individual who has [[converted]] to Christianity reverts to pre-conversion [[habits]] and/or lapses or falls into [[sin]], when a person turns from God to pursue their own [[desire]]. In Christianity, within denominations which teach [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arminianism Arminianism], such as the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methodist_Church Methodist Church] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentecostal_Holiness_Church Pentecostal Holiness Church], as well as in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_Church Roman Catholic Church], backsliding is a state in which any free willed believer can adopt, which is a [[doctrine]] rejected by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvinism Calvinists]. In these denominations, it is taught that the backslidden individual is in danger of [[Hell]] if he does not [[repent]]. Historically, backsliding was considered a trait of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_ancient_Israel_and_Judah Biblical Israel] which would turn from the Abrahamic God to follow [[idols]]. In the [[New Testament]] church the story of the [[Prodigal Son]] has become a representation of a backslider.

'''Backsliding''', also known as falling away, is a term used within [[Christianity]] to describe a [[process]] by which an individual who has [[converted]] to Christianity reverts to pre-conversion [[habits]] and/or lapses or falls into [[sin]], when a person turns from God to pursue their own [[desire]]. In Christianity, within denominations which teach [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arminianism Arminianism], such as the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methodist_Church Methodist Church] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentecostal_Holiness_Church Pentecostal Holiness Church], as well as in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_Church Roman Catholic Church], backsliding is a state in which any free willed believer can adopt, which is a [[doctrine]] rejected by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvinism Calvinists]. In these denominations, it is taught that the backslidden individual is in danger of [[Hell]] if he does not [[repent]]. Historically, backsliding was considered a trait of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_ancient_Israel_and_Judah Biblical Israel] which would turn from the Abrahamic God to follow [[idols]]. In the [[New Testament]] church the story of the [[Prodigal Son]] has become a representation of a backslider.

==Quote==

==Quote==

When [[primitive man]] felt that his [[communion]] with [[God]] had been interrupted, he resorted to [[sacrifice]] of some kind in an [[effort]] to make [[atonement]], to restore [[friendly]] [[relationship]]. The [[hunger]] and thirst for [[righteousness]] leads to the [[discovery]] of [[truth]], and [[truth]] augments [[ideals]], and this [[creates]] new [[problems]] for the [[individual]] religionists, for our [[ideals]] tend to [[grow]] by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geometric_progression geometrical progression], while our [[ability]] to live up to them is enhanced only by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arithmetic_progression arithmetical progression].

When [[primitive man]] felt that his [[communion]] with [[God]] had been interrupted, he resorted to [[sacrifice]] of some kind in an [[effort]] to make [[atonement]], to restore [[friendly]] [[relationship]]. The [[hunger]] and thirst for [[righteousness]] leads to the [[discovery]] of [[truth]], and [[truth]] augments [[ideals]], and this [[creates]] new [[problems]] for the [[individual]] religionists, for our [[ideals]] tend to [[grow]] by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geometric_progression geometrical progression], while our [[ability]] to live up to them is enhanced only by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arithmetic_progression arithmetical progression].

The sense of [[guilt]] (not the [[consciousness]] of [[sin]]) comes either from interrupted [[spiritual]] [[communion]] or from the lowering of one's [[moral]] [[ideals]]. [[Deliverance]] from such a predicament can only come through the [[realization]] that one's highest [[moral]] [[ideals]] are not necessarily synonymous with the will of God. [[Man]] cannot [[hope]] to live up to his highest [[ideals]], but he can be true to his [[purpose]] of finding God and [[becoming]] more and more like him. ([[103:4|103:4.2,3]] )

The sense of [[guilt]] (not the [[consciousness]] of [[sin]]) comes either from interrupted [[spiritual]] [[communion]] or from the lowering of one's [[moral]] [[ideals]]. [[Deliverance]] from such a predicament can only come through the [[realization]] that one's highest [[moral]] [[ideals]] are not necessarily synonymous with the will of God. [[Man]] cannot [[hope]] to live up to his highest [[ideals]], but he can be true to his [[purpose]] of finding God and [[becoming]] more and more like him. ([[103:4|103:4.2,3]] )