Theological Literacy in Today's Church - Distracting Issues

The Church today is more consumer oriented and with that many pet or side projects that are important to individuals. These issues fall into several different categories (at least as this author sees them):

• Social Justice
• Political Activism
• End Time Prophecies

I do believe as christians that we need to be socially and politically aware and the first two issues may cross over and become blurred. However, when it comes to watering down or replacing the gospel message with one of social justice or political activism ans pretending that is what the gospel means is wrong. These things can be reflections of what the Gospel has done ine ones life, however they should not be taught as being "The Gospel".

California is a good example of political activism in the Church with Prop 8. There are many that see this as defending the Gospel and an outreach when not one of them has had a conversation with someone who was on the opposing side and explained the Gospel. To be fair, I must point a finger at myself as well.  I have not been very diligent about sharing the Gospel outside of my family and sphere of influence, so this one hits home.

Being socially active as a result of what the Gospel has done in our lives is important, however there are many that see social justice as the Gospel. Several years back many Americans were introduced to liberation theology because of President Obama's pastor. Liberation Theology is what is seen in many of the emergent churches today. We are exhorted by James to be doers of the word and not merely hearers.

[26] If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. [27] Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. (James 1:26-27 ESV)

We are to be socially active, however it is a response to the Gospel and not a replacement of the Gospel. New Liberation theology encompasses the idea of being "Green" as well. This is not the foremost responsibility of the the Christian, it is spreading the Gospel.

[18] And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20 ESV)

Finally there is the issue of Biblical prophecies. I have several friends that are dispensational in their theology. When I was at an outreach at the state capitol this weekend there was a Bible Prophecy tract. I am cause to pause when I see this. Is a tract on end time prophecies the best way to spread the Gospel? In my opinion, no. A clear presentation of the Law and the Gospel is what I have come to believe as the best biblical way to spread the gospel, ala Way of the Master.  By the way I am taking the class over the next few weeks and would ask my readers to please pray for me as I have often been terrified to spread the gospel in this way.

There are many pet issues that are distracting the Evangelical Church in America today that have taken it away from a clear gospel presentation. Many of the issues discussed are presented to make the Church and Jesus attractive and appealing so that people "try it out." Well Jesus did not command us to go out and market the Church but to "Make Disciples." That does not fit with the Social, Political, and Prophecy driven marketing machine that many Churches and ministries have become.

Bravo Martin Bashir

Bravo Martin Bashir. Asking the questions evangelicals should have been for years.  Bravo.

Update:  Attached is a link to an interview of Martin Bashir by Paul Edwards regarding the interview above.

http://www.godandculture.com/blog/msnbcs-martin-bashir-on-the-paul-edwards-program

Theological Literacy in Today's Church - Are You a Good Berean?

This past weekend I was at a friends house and we were watching the "The Late Great Planet Church" available at http://nicenecouncil.com/. To give you a little background, I purchased the DVD in an effort to understand dispensationalism from an opposing viewpoint. My friend, an avid dispensationalist, had some issues with their portrayal of dispensationalism. One point that we discussed was the state of literacy within the church.

There are many in the Church which are biblically literate, in the sense that they can quote from scripture, however many in Church do not know the first thing about theology. I have come to believe that ones theology does matter. If one believes wrong, not by mere mistake or misunderstanding, very likely are headed down a dangerous path or can be lead in the wrong direction.

This can be seen with current controversy over Rob Bell and his new book. His theology is nothing new. It is simply nothing more than liberal theology repackaged for a modern audience. When one has a proper theological understanding it is harder to pull the sheep away from the herd.

There are several things that have crept into evangelicalism that I believe have lead to this:

• A focus on ancillary issues such as end time prophecies, political activism, and social justice. 
• An unhealthy drive towards ecumenism.
• The exchanging of Gospel centered Biblical preaching for man centered pop psychology. 

Over the next several weeks I will explore these issues and offer some suggestions from my perspective. For those that have read my blog and continue to read it, I thank you and hope that you will find this series engaging.  

The Church Of and In the World - The State of the Modern Evangelical Church

The church has been adopting various methods of presenting the Gospel for many years. Many of the modern technological advances that have transformed our world have shaped and transformed how the gospel can be spread. This has been helpful to communicate with church members as well as those that may be searching for someplace to fellowship. You can go to a website and find doctrinal statements as well as sermon podcasts and videos. 

As long as these methods are being used as a tool I believe it is a side issue and churches can use them or choose not to, however when it becomes the chief way of presenting the Gospel the church begins to abdicate their responsibility. As with the world, driving traffic to the site becomes a priority and thus many marketing techniques are employed. Marketing the Church becomes a priority and the Gospel message begins to become diluted.

The first clue that the church was headed in a non biblical direction was when the term "church marketing" surfaced several years back. There is even a facebook page called "Church Marketing Sucks."(I apologize if I have offended anyone, but that is the name.) The desire to grow the Kingdom becomes a race to increase church numbers.

Many churches take the approach of Gamaliel and believe that if their numbers are increasing then they must have God's endorsement (Acts 5:34-39). I agree with Justin Peters that this is a false assumption for churches to make. After all if this were the Biblical test for the marks of a healthy Church how does one explain the Mormons, Muslims, or Budaism. These are thriving religions today. Are we to believe that they are somehow being blessed by God?

Ultimately the desire to save sinners is subtly overshadowed by an underpinning of consumerism. The Church Member is no longer seen, whether it is conscious or unconscious, as part of the body but as the consumer to be had. Why shouldn't they, after all the stage needs new state of the art LCDs, Lighting, and new servers are needed to support the online tithing traffic. I say this somewhat tongue in cheek, but the Church has become big business. Just look at this site https://www.givingkiosk.com/

I was recently reading an article 95 Theses to the Modern Evangelical Church by Greg Gordon and two of them stuck with me for several weeks.

11. Worship has become an idol in many “churches.” The music often resembles that of the world. (Amos 5:23; Phil 4:8; 1Jn 5:21)

12. The world is shaping the views of the “church” more than the “church” shaping the world. (Rom 12:2; Mt 5:13; 1Cor 1:22-23)

The world has influenced the church far too much and thus the visible church in many instances has lost it's unique set apart qualities and as a result has driven many away from the church because it looks the same as the world. Attend a service today and you can get a rock concert that rivals many that are one tour today. At some you can even find out that the worship music that you heard today can be downloaded on iTunes after the service. It begs one to think, would Jesus have taken up his whip of cords in electronic form and hacked many of these church sites in order to overturn them as the den of thieves that they may have become? Would the Giving Kiosk be overturned and destroyed?

We should not be so surprised by the state of the church today. People are drawn to what tickle's their ears. They want to hear that they can be healthy, wealthy, and wise if they only believe. It is as the Apostle Paul predicted:

[3] For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, [4] and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. [5] As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Timothy 4:3-5 ESV)

In light of this, is it so surprising that Katy Perry saw the lure of the world and turned from singing worship or Christian songs and now glorifies that she has "Kissed a Girl." That a Jessica Simpson would turn from pursuing Gospel Music and become a secular artist. There are many stories of the rich and famous that were once devout Christians, but  who have been lured away as well. I hope and pray that God will one day lead them back to Jesus. But this should not be a surprise after all:

[7] For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. [8] Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:7-8 ESV)  

Many churches have exchanged expositing the word for being flashy, exciting, and glamorous. Instead of engaging the mind and hearts by biblically proclaiming the word, it has become a race to see how to fill the "God shaped hole" in people's heart and turning to a man centered imminent god that is no longer the transcendent God of the Bible. The church that best serves the passions and lusts of the people are the ones that the world holds in high regard. Instead of Piper, Driscoll, and Chandler, the media and the world seek out the likes of Osteen, Warren, and Bell.

The picture painted above may seem very grim, however the pendulum appears to be swinging in the other direction. Because of those that have continually preached the word in a consistent expository and exegetical fashion are drawing Jesus' sheep to him.

[27] My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. [28] I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. [29] My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. [30] I and the Father are one.” (John 10:27-30 ESV)

Jesus will ultimately have the Glory and the Holy Spirit will move many to share his Glory and Love for his people and many will be saved despite how corrupt the most visible parts of the church make it.

To Him be the Glory.

Grace and Peace