The worst of times: Evangelicalism in critical condition

Pyromaniac ^ | 16 July 2005 | Phil Johnson

[Gamecock]

he worst of times: Evangelicalism in critical condition

With the wild popularity of so many evangelical fads like "Forty Days of Purpose"; the lucrative success of the Christian publishing and contemporary Christian music industries; the growing influence of the "emerging church" phenomenon; and a recent cover story by Time magazine featuring "The 25 Most Influential Evangelicals in America," lots of evangelicals might be tempted to think these are the best of times for their movement.

My own assessment would be that evangelicalism's spiritual condition at the beginning of the twenty-first century is reminiscent of the medieval church just prior to the Protestant Reformation.

No, I take it back. Things are much worse among evangelicals today than they were in the Catholic Church in those days. Modern and postmodern evangelicalism is just like medieval Catholicism was—only more superficial.

Think about it: Luther was provoked by Tetzel, the charlatan fund-raiser who went through Europe promising people indulgences in return for money so that the Pope could build St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. We've got at least a dozen Tetzels appearing daily on TBN, promising people material prosperity in exchange for money. Jan Crouch uses that money to make the sets of the TBN studios more garish and more gaudy than any room in the Vatican, and she has added so many tawdry pink hair extensions to her hairdo that it now rivals the size of the dome on St. Peter's.

Tetzel peddled his indulgences with trite songs and sayings ("As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs"). Modern evangelicals are experts in writing doggerel and banal platitudes and have even made silly, superficial songs the centerpieces of all their liturgy.

The medieval church was overrun with superstition. We've got people reciting the prayer of Jabez every day who are convinced it's a magic formula that will bring them wealth and good luck.

The Medieval church produced Niccolò Machiavelli, the cynical and unscrupulous political theorist who believed the end always justifies the means. We've got a host of evangelical celebrities with shady reputations, from Gary Ezzo to Benny Hinn. We've also got a thousand church-growth "experts" who insist pragmatism is the only workable philosophy for the church today, and that we will never "reach" this generation until we first study which way the winds of popular culture are blowing and follow along.

Evangelicalism as a movement has bought that lie. That's why we have so many Fad-Driven® Churches and so few where Christ is honored and His Word obeyed. That's why the gospel is not only in eclipse but actually under attack on several fronts within evangelicalism.

We don't need more hype and activity and mass movements. We need the pure light of God's Word—"the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises" (2 Peter 1:19).

The alternative is a postmodern darkness that is shaping up to be worse than the murkiest spiritual gloom of the Dark Ages. We could sure use a new generation of Reformers.

---

[.30Carbine]

When we begin expressing the joy of the liberty of new life we can expect the world to understand the awe of new life.

I have found that this is so, and the whole of it, from alpha to omega, is of Him, and through Him, and to Him, the Lamb of God: May His praise ever be in our hearts and upon our lips, the praises of His people.

But you are a chosen generation,
a royal priesthood,
a holy nation,
His own special people,
that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you
out of darkness into His marvelous light
1 Peter 2:9

It is Good News indeed!

[Terabitten]

But, the AOG varies dramtically from congregation to congregation.

That was another of my issues with the AoG - there was no doctrinal consistency from one body to the next.

I grew up in the AG - third generation on my mother's side. My deceased brother was an ordained AG pastor. I gave up the AG when I realized that, as a denomination, they didn't know what they believed. The best I could come up with as a statement of faith was "Don't drink, don't smoke, don't cuss, and don't tolerate those who do."

[Terabitten]

folks finding the Lord

He ain't hiding.

[Corin Stormhands]

That was another of my issues with the AoG - there was no doctrinal consistency from one body to the next.

From the AG website: These are nonnegotiable tenets of faith that all Assemblies of God churches adhere to. This list is derived from the official Statement of Fundamental Truths.

Certainly there are congregations who don't live up to that, just as there are errant congregations in just about every denomination.

But I believe you err in painting the entire denomination with a broad brush, much the way the author of this article errs in his interpretation of evangelicalism.

Your mileage may vary.

[xzins]

He ain't hiding

Mt 13:44 - "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

[xzins]

I don't think it's equally as egregious. I didn't bring the accusations. I was commenting on them.

[Terabitten]

:) Good one.


Matt 5:14 - "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden."

[Gamecock]

"Don't drink, don't smoke, don't cuss, and don't tolerate those who do."

What about the most important part: "don't go with girls who do." ;-)

[Terabitten]

What about the most important part: "don't go with girls who do." ;-)

Heh...yeah, I forgot that part.

The thing that really chaps me about that mentality is the idea that I am somehow important enough to tell God how, and in what order, He must fix other people's lives. There were serious debates in several AG churches I attended as to whether one could be a Christian if they used alcohol or tobacco.

In my own case, God first chose to deal with the murderous rage I held in my heart. He hasn't gotten around to the cussing part yet - but which is more important? Removing the anger that frequently drove me to violence, or having me stop cussing? Clearly, God chose the former, while I believe many in that particular denomination would choose the latter.

[Terabitten]

The AG's 16 Fundamental Truths are, for the most part, basic Christian doctrine that could apply to any denomination.

[P-Marlowe]

Modern evangelicals aren't capable of recognizing true heresy. Most evangelicals on this board think heresy is not agreeing with the trend de jour.

May I say that is pure and undadulterated baloney. Most of the evangelicals that bother to post on the religion forum are strongly bible based and willing to defend earnestly for the faith.

There is a presbyterian minister who occasionally posts on this board who doesn't appear to believe a single verse in the bible. I cannot recall you or any of the GRPL's ever bothering to challenge him even once. You seem quite happy with pointing out all the errors in everyone else's church yet the Presbyterian Church is falling into heresies that few if any evangelical churches would dare to fall into.

May I say that from what I've seen "Modern" Presbyterianism is not evangelical and is pure heresy. So clean your own house Gamie. Don't blame the Evangelicals for the problems in the American Churches. Most of them still believe in the Bible.

[George W. Bush]

You guys are so old-fashioned.

You need to listen to Suzanne Hinn and get a Holy Ghost enema.



Get with the program.

[if video won't load, go here]

[AlbionGirl]

Let me elaborate a little by relaying a story about John Newton. That great Calvinist (I think anyway), who wrote the ever-verdant Amazing Grace. Following his conviction of sin by the Holy Spirit, and his penning that hymn that has few, if any, equals, he always referred to himself as 'that old slave trader.' Of course, he knew he was forgiven by Our Lord and through His Blood, but he never forgot to remember his sin.

Along with Saint Newton, let me elaborate a little more via Scripture.

"Two people went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other." (Luke 18:10-14a)"

Again, he that was justified presented himself to God beating his breast: mea culpa, mea culpa, mea massima culpa.

“And there were also two other malefactors, led with Him to be put to death. And when they were come to the place which is called Calvary, they crucified Him there: and the robbers, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. And Jesus said: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do; but they, dividing his garments, cast lots. And the people stood beholding. And the rulers with them derided him, saying: He saved others: let him save himself, if he be Christ, the elect of God” (Lk 23:32-35).

“And one of those robbers who were hanged blasphemed him, saying: If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering, rebuked him, saying: Neither dost thou fear God, seeing; thou art under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly: for we receive the due reward of our deeds. But this man hath done no evil. And he said to Jesus: Lord, remember me when thou shalt come into thy kingdom. And Jesus said to him: Amen I say to thee: This day thou shalt be with me in paradise” (Lk 23:39-43).

The Good Thief said, 'for we receive the due reward of our deeds', again convicted to the core of his sin.

A woman who has hired a third party to dismember her baby should remember herself always as 'that mother who slew her own child.' She doesn't have to articulate that to anyone but God and herself, but she does need to follow the example of John Newton, and never forget it. All of the women I know who have had abortions do not consider that they belong in jail, along with all of those other people who have snuffed out a life, and who did serve time.

Do you remember one of my early posts to you that described the encounter I had with the convict who openly declared himself a murderer to me? No woman I know who has had an abortion is as convicted of sin in her own heart as this gentleman was. That isn't to say they don't exist, but that I've not met one, and I know several women who have had abortions. Even in the pro-life community ambivalence exists as it relates to abortion. It seems to me that very few people view the taking of the life of a baby with the same horror that they viewed Simpson slitting his wife's throat. She at least got a burial. The remains of these babies are thrown in the trash as if they were spoiled food. What's warranted is remembering that nothing speaks total depravity like abortion does.

That doesn't mean that I think people who never forget to remember their grievous sin should be dour, or not rejoice in the Blood of the Lamb, and their new Life. Joy is the order of the day.

[Gamecock]

***Most of the evangelicals that bother to post on the religion forum are strongly bible based and willing to defend earnestly for the faith.***

You are the ones who care enough to learn and defend the faith. You are the exceptions, not the rule.


***There is a presbyterian minister who occasionally posts on this board who doesn't appear to believe a single verse in the bible. I cannot recall you or any of the GRPL's ever bothering to challenge him even once.***

I don't know exactly who you are talking about, but if I have challenged mainstream Presbyterians on this very board, as have other GRPL. Do a search for Presbyterian. Usually it will led to threads on apostasy. Look if you see any familiar screen names and then we'll talk.

***May I say that from what I've seen "Modern" Presbyterianism is not evangelical and is pure heresy.***

In the case of the PC(USA) you are right. You are bearing false witness if you say the PCA is not evangelical or spreading heresy. A lack of commitment to the evangelical principals drove us out of the PC(USA).

**So clean your own house Gamie.***

See my previous comment.

*** Don't blame the Evangelicals for the problems in the American Churches. Most of them still believe in the Bible.***

And what exactly do they believe? That Scripture is some sort of guidebook to happy living. I can count off 6 people in my current church who think that Scripture is all about them and is nothing more than a guide book. Two are employed by "evangelical" organizations. They know individual verses quite well. But they can't tie together one common theme anywhere.



***Most of them still believe in the Bible.***

But when confronted with a problem, they run to the current best seller, ie Joel Osteen.

FWIW, there is an issue peculating in the PCA. I am looking for a suitable article so I can post once i get my own mind around it.

Hey, when's the last time you came out and cried foul on just one thing that the Evangelical church in general is doing that is wrong?

Or are evangelical authors and pastors infallible?

[Diamond]

.30Carbine, what a powerful and clear post of the AWESOME grace of God. Thank you so much.

Cordially,

[Diamond]

Your point is well taken. I think it is only be dragged by the Holy Spirit Himself that any of us can bear to look at the awful things we have done.

No woman I know who has had an abortion is as convicted of sin in her own heart as this gentleman was. That isn't to say they don't exist, but that I've not met one, and I know several women who have had abortions.

Before you said it, look at how she described herself:

Because of what He has done for me, for me personally, this wretched vile murderous creature, because of Who He Is and Who He Sent, I live in awe every day of my life in Christ. Oh! this is freedom and this is life from the dead!

When I forget the hideousness of my sins all I need to do is look at the cross to remember it.

Cordially,

[Gamecock]

***The Good News is no longer good news, it is okay news.***

And the reason for that is simple. The law is no longer the law. We now have "principles" and "techniques" or even "steps," all of which decrease the need for Good News.

It's all Pelagian heresy. Like I said earlier, Evangelicals today can't sniff out heresy, even when it is in a top ten Christian, I mean Pelagian self-help book.

[AlbionGirl]

.30, I want to apologize to you for my last post. It isn't that I don't believe what I posted, because Ido, but that I believe it was insensitive, pompous and blowhard-y. I hadn't read your entire post to me when I responded, and when I went back and did, it was obvious your mind and heart are both with Jesus, and because of that my pontificating is not only inappropriate, it's worthless. So, please accept my sincere apology, and the Lord be with you, always.

[AlbionGirl]

Ping to post 53.

[AlbionGirl]

Sorry. Meant to ping you to post 58.