We who preach the gospel must not think of ourselves as public relations agents sent to establish good will between Christ and the world. We must not imagine ourselves commissioned to make Christ acceptable to big business, the press, the world of sports or modern education. We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum. A.W. Tozer
Therefore let God-inspired Scripture decide between us; and on whichever side be found doctrines in harmony with the word of God, in favor of that side will be cast the vote of truth. --Basil of Caesarea
Once you learn to discern, there's no going back. You will begin to spot the lie everywhere it appears.

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service. 1 Timothy 1:12

Friday, May 30, 2014

A World-Mirroring Church?


"I think that the church in America today is so obsessed with being practical, relevant, helpful, successful, and perhaps even well-liked that it nearly mirrors the world itself.  Aside from the packaging, there is nothing that cannot be found in most churches today that could not be satisfied by any number of secular programs and self-help groups."

Michael Horton, Christless Christianity: the Alternative Gospel of the American Church, p.16-17

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

So whereto shall the sinner wanting redemption run to? The church is no longer a beacon of light; it has become the darkness itself. What a shame and insult to our Heavenly Father.

Canada

Anonymous said...

Thanks to the market philosophy in the churches, I now detest the word "relevant". Somehow the church growth movement crowd think worldliness makes God's Word more "relevant"... when the worldliness itself is IRrelevant, and frankly in many cases also irreverent.

The pure Word of God alone is ALWAYS relevant to any people group, in any generation, anywhere in the world. Always has been, always will be.

-Carolyn

Kathy said...

Amen to Mr. Horton's comment. There is one area within the church that has concerned me for quite some time as I never witnessed this growing up in my small church environment, and that is this: we now have psychologists and psychiatrists visiting our churches on a regular basis (for pay; and their hourly rates are NOT cheap) to listen and advise people with their problems of living.

Back in my youth, I saw people confessing their sins to one another for forgivness and the redemption offered freely through Jesus Christ; I saw people bearing and sharing one anothers' burdens so the body of believers "had your back" so to speak; and I witnessed true love through Jesus Christ and Him alone.

Have the commands of our Holy Scriptures been thrown under the bus for so called professionals and money?

Now the average, Spirit filled believer is reduced to a mindless, spineless, pew sitter with the clergy and leadership lording over, professionally of course, all the while we are supposed to just sit there and nod our heads, shout out amens, and fill the coffers so we can have a fancier church sign, elaborate landscaping, air conditioning, and more donuts for an already overweight congregation. (And leadership really makes a big deal out of the coffee and donut thing....as if this is a gospel.)

And Jesus loves it so? Really?

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

Kathy,

You've hit on something big - the CHURCH has accepted the worldview of the psych industry - an industry in total opposition to the name of Christ and all that Christ stands for. This worldview is undermining the Church.