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

Monday, September 16, 2019

Are You Part of the Problem or the Solution?


The evangelical church must shoulder much of the blame for the drainage of scriptural knowledge from our society, a knowledge that was commonplace only a few decades ago. Far too concerned with excellence in our musical productions, entertainment of our young people, and creation of worshipful experiences, we have all but neglected the systematic teaching of the Word. Surely our churches are still bulging with Bible studies, lectures and even sermons, but it is becoming increasingly rare to find the Word of God maintaining its centrality in the Christian community. Bible studies are often a mere sharing of ignorance, sermons are seldom expository and pastors and conference speakers work hard at keeping their audience happy and meeting their felt needs. Ministers are being trained, not to be shepherds of the flock, but presidents of a corporation. As a result, not only is the unbeliever ignorant of the Word, but often the Christian also is as well. Ignorant Christians live foolish lives as they bounce from mystical experience to entertaining programming in hopes of finding an anchor. A return to the priority of the Word is the great need of the moment.

Gary E. Gilley, This Little Church Stayed Home: A faithful church in deceptive times, pg.47-48

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

"A return to the priority of the Word is the great need of the moment."

I don't see this as going to happen anytime soon, or anybody even caring. That is just the way things are.

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

Anonymous,

I agree on the whole, but there will always be those small, dedicated souls, who will stick with the Word of God.

Marshal Art said...

Just saw a video that speaks to this. It's forty minutes of a much longer documentary. I was watching it in pieces during free moments at work and haven't quite gotten through it, but talks about really preaching the Gospel. I have to dig it out from a FB post, but will post a link to it here when I find it. I think you'll enjoy it.

Marshal Art said...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocHm18wUAGU&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2z_VJdmrjSEcYJlCLkNYiSE9TKgbeeLq3AMedPJa-yoB1yr4XQXllgszk