In the early days of Christianity when the light shined brightly, the church eagerly awaited the return of Christ to establish his Kingdom here on earth. During 1500-1620, from Augustine to the Reformation, a reinterpretation of the scripture took place. Among other abandon truths, the formation of the church was herald as the arrival of the Kingdom. This period represented the Sardis church age (Revelation 3:1-6). The church was abandoning it true nature and beginning to walk after a worldly nature. Later, many Christian Churches discarded the interpretation of the scripture that formed the basis of this false ideology. But, it was too late to undo the damage, according to the adage, "you can't unring the bell". Children of this false teaching had been born, and they continued to produce offsprings. A proper and more fitting title for this book would have been, "Revelation, Jesus Letters to the Seven Churches." The author chose what one would consider a more thought-provoking title. The use of the words "failed church" does not set well with many Christians.
The indoctrination of Christian beliefs does not allow the ideology of a failed church. This book tries to reconcile the statement made to Peter in Matthew 16:18 and the threat issued to the church in Revelation 3:16. The Scripture basis for this work is the first three chapters of Revelation. There is a type redundancy in the seven letters addressing the overlapping problems of the seven churches. This book is filled with the same type of redundancy it addresses the potential of a church failing. The Evolution of a Failed Church does not propose a new solution to the problems that the church is facing today. Jesus has already identified these problems in his letters to the churches, and he has offered the solutions. This book is not a proclamation of a new doctrine, nor is it an attempt to confirm or enforce a set of new rules governing the interpretation of the scripture or the operation of the church. This book like many of Earl Gillespie's books poses more questions than answers. This book calls attention to the problems facing the church and questions the refusal to implement the solutions proposed by the Christ. From the dimming of the light through the abuse of power within the church, this book shines a light of the divisions that exist within the household of faith. It explores the first split of the church that opens the door to more splits upon splits. Children of these divisions were born Revelation 2:23, and Christianity now boasts a membership of more than 30,000 different groups, each with different doctrines and ideologies. This knowledge is the basis for the questions presented in this book. There is a plateau known as performing on the world stage that many seek to attain. The desire to be a world stage performer can be intoxicating, and the quest for that pinnacle of success defines the character of many who claim to be the messengers of God. "Evolution of the Failed Church," explore this paradox that has befallen the church and poses all the question that we need to ask ourself as we emerge into an unsettling future. Is the church just another place for entertainment?