Neo-Evangelicalism
Paul stated in his zeal for the salvation of
souls the following “I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means
save some” (1 Cor.9:22). This likewise should be our example to follow (1
Cor.11:1) as we can see all through the book of Acts how Paul carried this out.
However this verse has been wrested by those unstable souls who desiring to be
conformed to this world while maintaining a form of godliness; they are denying
the sanctifying power of the death and resurrection of Christ; the power of the
gospel. Paul indeed qualified his statement further saying “To them that are
without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law”-1 Cor.9:21. In other
words when he was trying to save sinners that groped in darkness without any
revelatory law of God as given by Moses, he made no reference to the laws of
shadows and types such as the Sabbaths, circumcision, new moons, feasts or such
like. They certainly had the law of God in their hearts naturally, their
conscience also bearing witness (Rom.2:12-15). He taught them not to trust in
laws of commandments contained in ordinances which have a show of wisdom in
will worship but should perish along with the using of them (Col.2:20-3). As
Paul instructed us “touch not taste not and handle not” are referring to meat
and drink in neglecting the body with the view that this will satisfy the flesh
(2:16 , 23). Much like
Christ rebuked the Pharisees for trusting in the washing of hands, pots, cups
and tables to make them clean before God. (Mark 7:2-8) Paul said that this has
a show of wisdom to neglect the body, much the same way he kept under
subjection his own body (1 Cor.9:27) and used not liberty as an occasion to the
flesh (Gal.5:13). For “meat” Paul argued “commendeth us not to God” (1
Cor.8:8), and “the kingdom
of God
Many in the
church today being carried about by every wind of doctrine by the sleight of
men and their cunning craftiness have drunk deeply into the spirit of the world
receiving a doctrine of devils which confesses ungodliness and worldly lusts
under the guise of evangelism; new or
neo-evangelism. These same souls being taught by men who ran greedily after the
error of Balaam for reward have heaped to themselves teachers who promise large
numbers swelling the church if their marketing techniques are followed. Those
led by the Spirit know immediately that if men can teach you how to grow your
church then it is not the Lord adding to the church such as should be saved. If man can do it then
is it not the power of God. But those following the spirit of the world will
privately interpret and use the words of Paul spoken above to justify all
manner of the imagination of men’s heart. Repeating the mantra ‘the methods
must change but the message will stay the same’ until they are conformed into
the very image of the world. The methods given by the Lord in the scripture
they claim have waxed old and must be laid aside. Preaching and teaching from
the scriptures are no longer sufficient, we must mix the imagination of men’s
hearts with it to help the power of the gospel.
There is no
end to the ideas men craft and invent to help out the gospel; they copy the
music the world lusts after and add Christian words to it, they turn the church
into a café, a daycare center, a dance studio, a nightclub, a gymnasium, a play
acting stage, and any other number of things that can draw a crowd. They copy
the amusement theme parks for the children; they provide a carnival atmosphere
for the youth and separate the older people from the midst since they don’t fit.
They use peer pressure techniques upon the youth and foster a deeper disrespect
for the older saints who are not familiar with the constantly changing culture
of the world. ‘Since they don’t like get it, dude, like we will give them their
traditional service, and we will like move forward with the times…dude’ they
proclaim with lightness. Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his
mother (Deut.27:16). “We want your money but not your wisdom”. They split the
church up into all types of groups meeting in different places (Eph.4:3, 1
Cor.11:18, 20, 14:23 )
children, youth, married, older etc. The philosophy that spoils them teaches
that whatever it takes to draw a crowd they should use it for the glory of God.
And to keep the crowds you must continually allure through the lusts of the
flesh through much wantonness. Although the crowds are not coming for the
gospel but rather for what was added to it, they charge God with their folly as
though only he could perform such wonderful works, forgetting that the world
follows its course without any assistance from the church. The marketing is
sure because the lusts of men are sure.
These errors
will be addressed as they are pointed out and they will be seen to be in
darkness by the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus
Christ. However we need to define our concepts in words which the Holy Ghost
teacheth comparing spiritual things with spiritual, and then the error will
become manifested.
Let us ask
our brethren what is the church? Likewise what is the world? And what does it
mean to win the lost world and “reach people for Jesus”? Do they mean draw a
crowd with worldly pleasures and lusts of the eyes? Why would Christ call out
those to forsake all to follow him?
This new
evangelism consists of lowering the standards of holiness so as to not offend
the world and the results in the minds of these new evangelists will be that the
world will see how appealing the church really is and actually come to like us.
How does this comport with the scripture?
John 3:20
For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
John 7:7
The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.
The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.
John 15:18-19
If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. [19] If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. [19] If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
John 15:23
He that hateth me hateth my Father also.
He that hateth me hateth my Father also.
1 John 3:13
Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
John 17:14
I have
given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the
world, even as I am not of the world.
These facts
do not change the minds of the neo-evangelists. For although the gospel call in
light of these facts would extend to all that is within the unbeliever, to his
whole body, soul and spirit, the call to the world would be to forsake all that
they desire and come to Christ, the neo-evangelists seek to “reach” the world
by finding things that they desire which are not outwardly and blatantly evil (normative
principle in worship), then offer these things to entice the sinner and when he
has laid down his arms against the church and is now friendly towards her she
can convince the sinner that it is fun to be a Christian and maybe he will
‘join the club’. The neo-evangelist will begin to dress like the sinner, talk
like the sinner, listen to the sinners music present the gospel (those who can
actually remember what the gospel is- 1 Cor.15:1-4) in such a way that it looks
like he will not be sacrificing anything in this world only changing titles-
modern discipleship. His music can be the same he only has to change the words;
his attire can stay the same he only will need to put Christian logos with
Jesus face on it, or some vapid or trite statement about Christianity. He can watch
the same movies, TV shows, have the same goal in life only modify them slightly
so that they do not include vulgarity. But the scriptures reveal the world as
the enemy of the God (James 4:4) stating that we “all had our conversation in
times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and
of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others”
(Eph.2:3). For all that is in the world the lust of the flesh, the lust of the
eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world and the
whole world lieth in wickedness (1 Jn.2:16, 5:19). Christ came to save us from
our sins, from our flesh and from the world. In the cross of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the world is crucified unto us and we are crucified unto the world
(Gal.6:14). He saves us from this present evil world (Gal.1:4) from the
corruption that is in the world through lust (2 Pet.1:4) and chose us out of
the world therefore the world hates us (John.15:19). Christ says to those who
would be his disciples:
John 12:25
He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
Matt.10:34-9
Think
not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am
come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her
mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's
foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother
more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than
me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and
followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose
it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
Luke 14:26-33 If any man come to me, and hate
not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters,
yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And
whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come
after me, cannot be my disciple. For
which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth
the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath
laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to
mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to
make war against another king, sitteth not
down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him
that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a
great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So
likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot
be my disciple.
However the neo-evangelicals goal is to draw
in a crowd by appealing to his worldly lusts. And it is supposed then that the
gospel can be preached or taught to those who gather and they might be saved.
We must ask however if this is deceitful to offer one thing they desire with
their lusts to gather them, with the intention of calling them to forsake
worldly lusts by Gods grace (Tit.2:12). There is a curse upon those who do the
work of the LORD deceitfully (Jer.48:10) Consider Paul’s example- “But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in
craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of
the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.”(2
Cor.4:2) When those whom Jesus called did not respond to his call he did not
lower his standards and tailor his invitation in order to cater to their demands.
Rather he proclaimed basically they were not fit for the kingdom of God (Luke
9:57-62). The neo-evangelist would decry such an assessment.
And so the
neo-evangelical teaches otherwise and consents not to wholesome words even the
words of our Lord Jesus Christ, because he is proud knowing nothing who supposes
that gain is godliness (1 Tim.6:3-5). He supposes that multitudes of people and
programs and money are the blessing of God. Although Jesus did not commit
himself to the multitudes who sought him for carnal blessings (Jn.2:22-5,
6:26-7, 64-7) these modernists use carnal appeals to “draw multitudes to Jesus”.
They reason pragmatically ‘If God blesses us we will have all these things, we
can produce these things with marketing methods therefore God is blessing us’.
This is to affirm the consequent, to say ‘If I gave this to you, you will have
it, you do have it therefore I gave it to you’ or again ‘if I am in this church
I am in the city, I am in the city therefore I am in this church’. These are
illogical and wrong, and this is how the neo-evangelical thinks. He is creating
disciples with a form of godliness but denying the power thereof. He asks the
sinner what he would like the church to be and then tries to form the church
into his desired image. He is offering to the sinner the ability to stipulate
how he will come to God, what sacrifices he will or will not make. These are
turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness (Jude 4). But they that
Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts (Gal.5:24).
The church
is the bride of Christ and he gave himself for it that he might cleanse it from
all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, with the washing of water by the word
that he might present it to himself a glorious church not having spot nor
wrinkle nor any such thing; but be holy and without blemish. (Eph.5:25-7) The
church is a building of God not made with hands that groweth into an holy
temple in the Lord. The Most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands,
therefore assemblies called together by the works and strategies of marketers
will not be habitations of God through the Spirit. Those whose faith is in the
works of the hands of the craftsmen shall be like unto them, an image with no
breath of life (Psalm 115:4-8, Jer.10:14-5) a form of godliness and no saving
power (2 Tim.3:5). And if we lift up our tool upon it we have polluted it
(Exod.20:25). The carnal mind however is enmity against God for it is not
subject unto the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in
the flesh cannot please God (Rom.8:7-8). Neither should we expect the
unbeliever to feel at ease in our assemblies, rather we should pray that he
will be convicted of his sins and worship God (1 Cor.14:23-4). We should
likewise seek to purge out the leaven of wickedness in our churches not give it
place to leaven the whole lump (1 Cor.5:6-13). Let us be holy as he likewise is
holy, without holiness no man shall see the Lord (Heb.12:14).
God has
chosen to manifest his word through preaching. God chose the foolishness of
preaching to save them that believe (Titus 1:3, 1 Cor.1:21). The gospel of
Jesus Christ is a series of abstract thoughts which can only be expressed
through words. Christ “opened his mouth and taught...” (Matt.5:2) and they
wondered at the “gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth” (Lk.4:22).
Phillip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto
him Jesus (Acts 8:35 ). Saul
spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus (Acts 9:29 ). Peter
opened his mouth and spake words to Cornelius and all his house (Acts 10:34 , 36, 44). Paul said the gospel
was heard and was preached to the Colossians (1:23 ) and requested prayer in Ephesians 6:19 that “utterance may be given unto me,
that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel”; and
again in Colossians 4:3 that God would open a door of utterance, to speak the
mystery of Christ. The scripture itself preaches (Gal.3:8). All through the
book of Acts the disciples and apostles reasoned, preached and taught from the
scriptures by opening their mouths speaking the word of the truth of the
gospel. Yet today we have those robed in Babylonish garments who have a form of
godliness but deny the power of the gospel of Christ claiming by the wisdom of
this world that “dramatic play acting” is a new method of preaching; that the
‘gospel movie’ is effective evangelism. The fact that God was manifested in a
body of flesh and became a man born of a virgin is not anything that can be
seen in a movie or drama; words will need to be expressed. It cannot be
understood that Jesus Christ is the Son of God by watching play actors on a
stage. Christ manifested in the body of his flesh being conceived by the Holy
Ghost is not a visible revelation of images or pictures. And yet Christ stated
that ‘if ye believe not that I am he ye shall die in your sins’ Jn.8:24. The
knowledge of Christ Jesus the Lord, the Son of the Living God is revealed by
the Father in words upon which Christ built the church (Matt.16:15-18). Christ
was himself the Word made flesh. God gave us scripture, written words on paper.
Woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel (1 Cor.9:16). But, some will contend, we use
modern methods like cars, microphones, speakers so using play acting for
example, is the same thing. There is a difference (not analogous) between the hearers,
what machines the hearers use to get to where the gospel is preached and
hear what is being spoken and the action of speaking. These cannot be
jumbled together as if they were the same, this is like thinking a DVD player
is the same thing as the movie on the DVD. Or a guitar is the same thing as
music. What is being asserted here is the action of speaking is the
method God commanded to minister his word.
God said
that he chose preaching to manifest his word and explained in detail why in 1
Corinthians 1. He said that it confounded what both the Greeks and Jews were
seeking (v21-3). God countered their desires and demonstrated his disinterest
in seeker friendly methods. The Jews require a sign, the Greeks seek after
wisdom but God gave them his
revelation contrary to what they desired. Paul said “but we preach Christ
crucified” (v23). In our day we would observe that secular America America 14:26 -7, 33). Why does God
prescribe this method? He answers this in verses 25-29, God hath chosen the
foolish things of the world that no flesh should glory in his presence. God is
glorified more by the foolishness of preaching than the wisdom of men. Men do
not trust the preaching of Jesus Christ and him crucified, rather they seek to
mingle mans wisdom with it and risk rendering it “of none effect” (v17). Woe
unto that man (1 Cor.9:16). Do not frustrate the grace of God (Gal.2:21). The
flesh is crucified with Christ that the body of sin might be destroyed that
henceforth we should not serve sin. (Gal.2:20, Rom.6:6)
Likewise Christ’s
death upon the cross while being possible to imitate with play actors, cannot
be understood to be for the remission of our sins without words. Christ died
for our sins according to the scriptures, was buried and rose again for our
justification according to the scriptures. Christ will judge the secrets of men
according to the gospel, all of these things can only be delivered in words.
Words are all that are necessary to deliver this revelation which saves a soul
from death and hides a multitude of sin. If therefore this is true no pictures
or dramatics are necessary. Perhaps it should be pointed out as obvious that
God gave us words in a book to reveal his gospel and the depth of his nature in
his love toward us. God did not give us his revelation in play acting he gave
us words “And the
LORD spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the
words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice.”-Deut.4:12.
If pictures were necessary God would have instructed us (Did he say at any
time…? Heb1:5,13). Those who oppose these things should bring forth strong
reasons. Has God added to his word since the faith was once delivered, and the
gospel was preached? God only needs his word. Isa.55:11- So shall my
word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but
it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing
whereto I sent it. Psa.19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the
soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and the tongue can no man tame. With men it is impossible but with God all things are possible. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh, thus God changes men’s heart upon regeneration and the scriptures state ‘with the heart man believeth unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” And again “The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Rom.10:8-10) This is the biblical pattern, ‘How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? (Romans 10:14-5) Let us follow the pattern shewed to us in the mount (Heb.8:5), the mount of transfiguration. They saw no image or similitude of God, but they heard his voice (Matt.17:5-8). The voice told them ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” Why hear him? Because he had the words of eternal life (Jn.6:68). God spake unto us in these last days by his Son (Heb.1:2). Paul on the
Most who snare themselves breaching this command will seek to justify themselves and cover their sin in a garb of sophistry claiming that they do not actually worship any image. Following their example one could make an image and bow down before it and kiss it yet claim they do not worship the image only what it represents. But secretly and mostly without their knowledge they adore their images deceiving themselves in their denial. They will adore or venerate in their hearts by secret enticement if ever so slightly, images that are supposed to represent God. They will attach reverence and respect to these images that they find pleasing to the eyes, which is why God admonished us to take good heed unto ourselves, and keep our hearts with all diligence. If one were to deface or abuse their image in a disrespectful way they will certainly feel animosity swelling in their hearts. (This may very well be part of the reason God does not instruct us to use imagery in worship, the propensity and ease with which men can change the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man.) Were we to ask them if we would disrespect Jesus by defacing an image of him, they may contend ‘yes, but not because we think it is Jesus but because it represents him’. Who, we ask, attached respect belonging to the Lord alone to an image they made to represent him? What deception their hearts fail to see is that they are requiring respect to a similitude of Jesus, respect belonging to the Lord only and not to images. The image gains access into their heart through the lust of the eyes, the light of the body; and once in their heart it holds a pleasant and favorable position upheld with adornment and respect. And these are affections that belong to the Lord alone. This is by definition idolatry in their heart. “these men have set up their idols in their heart” Ezek.14:3 “she increased her whoredoms: for when she saw men pourtrayed upon the wall, the images of the Chaldeans…And as soon as she saw them with her eyes, she doted upon them” Ezek.23:14-16 “hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery?” Ezek.8:12
Some will
now say ‘Well God revealed himself in an image, the form of God Jesus Christ,
and so therefore we can make images which represent him.’ God does many things
that we cannot do and are expressly forbidden to do. And since he said the
above contradicting this conclusion, we cannot make the word of God of none
effect by a tradition of men. Paul also counseled us no longer to expect to see
Christ until his appearing; “though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet
now henceforth know we him no more” 2 Cor.5:16. Peter
said of the Lord “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him
not, yet believing, ye rejoice…”1 Pet.1:8. And Jesus said “blessed are they
that have not seen and, and yet have believed” –Jn. 20:29 . We fear however that the neo-evangelical
changing the glory of the uncorruptible into an image made like to corruptible
man. They describe Jesus as ‘radical, cool, the original hippie’; they address
him as ‘JC, the big man, boss’. This does not sound like the Lord of glory in
the bible rather it sounds like a celestial gang leader or a glorified punk.
These bound by youthful lusts cannot speak according to the word (Isa.8:20) and
speak of Jesus in the slang terms they learned living according to the flesh,
whose God is their belly whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things
(Phil.3:19). They likewise want Gods word to sound like their own speech.
Beloved let us remember that we shall appear before the judgment seat of Christ
and give an account of the things done in our bodies. Therefore be reasonable
and present our bodies a living sacrifice to him and take up our cross humbly
submitting to him and not seeking to exalt ourselves our opinions and our ideas
against his revelation in scripture. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord
let us persuade men. (2 Cor.5:10-11).
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