A Clarion Call to the Modern Church
John MacArthur
*Focus on Jerusalem is pleased
to provide this insightful article by John MacArthur on the modern condition of
the state of the Church. Bible Prophecy reveals that there will be a dramatic
Falling Away from biblical doctrine in the last days. The modern church of the
Last Days will gradually set the stage for, and itself become absorbed into the
Apostate Church of the Tribulation era. (Darrell G.
Young)
Christians historically have understood that
their calling is to be in the world but not of the world. As Os Guinness pointed
out in a perceptive series of articles on the church-growth movement,
traditional evangelicalism not only resisted worldly influences, but also used
to stress "cognitive defiance" of the world spirit. Now, however, "the world has
become so powerful, pervasive, and appealing that the traditional stance of
cognitive defiance has become rare and almost unthinkable" ("Recycling the
Compromise of Liberalism," Tabletalk [May 1992], 51.).
At some point, evangelicals decided to make friends with the
world. Guinness pointed out that although we are called to be in the world but
not of the world (John 17:14-18), many Christians have reversed the formula,
becoming of the world while not really being in the world. They did this by
allowing cable television, VCRs, radio, and other forms of communication to
infuse worldly values into their thinking, while isolating themselves from any
personal involvement with the people in the world who most desperately need the
gospel. "Evangelicals are now outdoing the liberals as the supreme religious
modernists and compromisers of today," Guinness writes (Ibid.).
The market-driven philosophy so popular among modern
evangelicals is nothing more than "a recycling of the error of classical
liberalism" (Ibid.). The reason most evangelicals were caught unaware by
modernism a hundred years ago is that liberals rose from within evangelical
ranks, used evangelical vocabulary, and gained acceptance through relentless
appeals for peace and tolerance. New church-growth movements are following
precisely the same course, and that tactic has taken evangelicals by surprise
once again.
Most of the market-driven megachurches insist they would
never compromise doctrine. They are attractive to evangelicals precisely because
they claimed to be as orthodox in their doctrine as they are unorthodox in their
methodology. Multitudes have been sufficiently reassured by such promises and
have simply abandoned their critical faculties, thus increasing their
vulnerability.
Unfortunately, real discernment is in short supply among
modern evangelicals. Like the modernists a century ago, churches in the
user-friendly movement have decided that doctrine is divisive-peace is more
important than sound teaching. Wanting to appeal to a modern age, they have
framed their message as a friendly, agreeable, and relevant dialogue, rather
than as a confrontation with the gospel of Christ. The relevant issues of our
modern age-radicalism, abortion, feminism, homosexuality, and other politically
charged moral issues-pose the most obvious threat for user-friendly churches.
Their undefined theology and seeker-sensitive philosophy do not permit them to
take a firm biblical stance on such matters, because the moment they defy the
spirit of the age, they forfeit their marketing appeal. They are therefore
forced to keep silent or capitulate. Either way, they compromise the truth. If a
church is not even willing to take a firm stand against abortion, how will it
deal with the erosion of crucial doctrine?
If a church lacks discernment enough to condemn such overt
errors as homosexuality or feminism, how will it handle a subtle attack on
doctrinal integrity? Many evangelical churches have wholly abandoned strong
preaching about hell, sin, and the wrath of God. They claim God's primary
attribute is benevolence, one that overrides and supersedes His holiness,
justice, wrath, and sovereignty. Rather than addressing humanity's greatest
need-forgiveness of sins-modern sermons deal with contemporary topics,
psychological issues (depression, eating disorders, self-image), personal
relationships, motivational themes, and other matters a la mode.
The market-driven philosophy of user-friendly churches does
not easily permit them to take firm enough doctrinal positions to oppose false
teaching. Their outlook on leadership drives them to hire marketers who can sell
rather than biblically qualified pastors who can teach. Their approach to
ministry is so un-doctrinal that they cannot educate their people against subtle
errors. Their avoidance of controversy puts them in a position where they cannot
oppose false teaching that masquerades as evangelicalism. In fact, the new
trends in theology seem ideally suited to the user-friendly philosophy.
Why would the user-friendly church oppose such doctrines? But
oppose them we must, if we are to remain true to God's Word and maintain a
gospel witness. Pragmatic approaches to ministry do not hold answers to the
dangers confronting biblical Christianity today. Pragmatism promises bigger
churches, more people, and a living church, but it is really carnal
wisdom-spiritually bankrupt and contrary to the Word of God. Marketing
techniques offer nothing but the promise of popularity and worldly approval.
They certainly offer no safeguard against the dangers of the down-grade toward
spiritual ruin.
The only hope is a return to Scripture and sound doctrine. We
evangelicals desperately need to recover our determination to be biblical, our
refusal to comply with the world, our willingness to defend what we believe, and
our courage to defy false teaching. Unless we collectively awaken to the current
dangers that threaten our faith, the adversary will attack us from within, and
we will not be able to withstand. Yet, surely, there must be some who will fling
aside the dastard love of peace, and speak out for our Lord, and for his truth.
(A craven spirit is upon many, and their tongues are
paralyzed. Oh, for an outburst of true faith and holy zeal! (Charles Haddon
Spurgeon)
John MacArthur
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