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WARNING…soap box rant ahead…use caution…
The following quotes are from a book on Sunday School growth that has been on my shelf for a number of years now. It was given to me when I was an adult SS teacher at a previous church. The title of the book is You Can Double Your Class in Two Years or Less, by Josh Hunt. The theology and line of thought contained within this book was pervasive within the church leadership where I taught, and more than likely still is. See what you think about some of its teachings.
The world would beat our doors down if they thought they could find love here. You couldn’t build buildings fast enough; you wouldn’t be able to start services often enough – the nets would be bursting if you could create a church that truly loved.
When we love people and spend time with them, they become much more open to hearing about the gospel. We can do this at fellowships or parties, but we need people with the gift of party to help us with the evangelistic and disciple-making process.
The key to fulfilling the Great Commission is to cross the social barrier before we try to cross the theological barrier… non-Christians will consider Christianity if we become their friends. People are more likely to become Christians if they don’t have to cross racial, linguistic, or social barriers to do so.
We must love people before we expect them to come to love our Lord. If we want people to believe that God loves and accepts them, we must love and accept them.
If we love them, they will come.
What does this type of mindset toward the gospel and salvation really mean in terms of theology and doctrine? Here are what I perceive to be a few logical conclusions:
- God is not sovereign in salvation
- People are ultimately responsible for whether or not they get saved
- The gospel has nothing to do with repentance and faith, but love and acceptance
- Our relationships with people are the determining factor in whether or not they will accept Jesus
- Jesus needs accepting
- God is an inactive agent in salvation…He has merely provided a way to be saved
- Proclaiming the gospel is not enough. We must first make it fun and enjoyable
- Salvation of souls is dependent upon one’s social skills… not the regenerating work of Holy Spirit, through the word of Christ
- Befriending someone is the key to their accepting the gospel
- God loves and accepts people just as they are
This “philosophy” of ministry, evangelism, and discipleship at this particular church where we used to go translated into such ridiculous programs as one which included handing out bottles of water or gas cards to people with notes that read, “This is from XYZ Church. We just want you to know that God loves you…no strings attached”. It has also translated into the church preaching and teaching another Jesus. Can you imagine what Paul’s
reaction would be today to a church such as this?
What a denial of the truth. What a pathetic view of the true gospel…the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. It is no wonder that the men which this author holds in such high esteem include Rick Warren, Bill Hybels and Robert Schuller – all three of which, in my opinion, are likely on the opposing side in the truth war, as John MacArthur calls it. Make no mistake, it is a war. And it is a war that we need to be prepared to join in and fight, and not just be content to sit idly by under the banner of a false unity, and continue on in the status quo. I love what Dr. MacArthur says on the inside jacket cover of The Truth War: This … Is Not Friendly Fire
To one who knows the right thing to do, and doesn’t do it…to him it is sin.
