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Apostasy is the rejection of Christianity, a rebellion against God. There are four main types of apostasy in the Bible: rebellion, turning away, apostasy, and adultery.

“The Mighty God, the LORD! The Mighty God, the LORD! He knows; and let Israel know also! If there has been rebellion or unfaithfulness toward the LORD, do not spare us today.” (Joshua 22:22)

Turning away from God, the righteous leader, and following false gods is the dominant type of apostasy in the Old Testament.

“May mercy and forgiveness belong to the Lord our God, because we have rebelled against him and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, following his laws, which he gave us through his servants the prophets. All Israel has transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice. And the curse and the oath that are written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against him.” (Daniel 9:9-11)

The fall to eternal destruction is particularly evident in the New Testament.

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” (Matthew 7:24-27)

Adultery is a type of apostasy in the Old Testament and consists of a passion for idols.

“Then those of you who escape will remember me among the nations where they are taken captive, when I have broken their stubborn hearts that have turned away from me, and blinded their eyes that turn lustfully to their idols; and they will loathe themselves for the evil they have done, for all their abominations.” (Ezekiel 6:9)

“Empty churches in Europe are put up for sale.” The percentage of the European population declaring themselves without religion in 2010: France, 28.0%; Germany, 24.7%; Italy, 12.4%; Netherlands, 42.1%; and United Kingdom, 21.3%.

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