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Living In Grace

A Christ inspired work dealing with American Christian Culture in the New Century.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Are we to Relevant to be Separate?

There is nothing new under the sun.  There really isn't and I was just wondering today with all the hoopla over the Emergent Church and other movements within or without the Body of Christ if we have learned nothing from the past.  We cannot be like the world, cannot try to make Christ more like us, or  disregard the commands of Scripture  to reach the world.  Why would a lost and dying world look to a listless and powerless church unable to introduce them to, or express the Gospel of, the resurrected Christ?  If there is no difference in the conduct and attitudes of " christians " as compared to those outside the Church what change has Christ really wrought in our lives?  Must we look, act, and believe like the world in order to evangelize the lost?  Do we have to soften the message of personal obedience and morality in order to be more palatable to those who are in opposition to the message to begin with?

Phil Johnson posted an article, here, in response to some of these questions and how relevance to the world is not what the church needs.  Our message, which is the Gospel, is always relevant to those in need of a Savior.

Preach Christ and Him crucified and God will with His authority take care of the rest.

4 Comments:

Anonymous Mark@3-foldCord said...

I think when today's church gets into the habit of viewing parishioners as consumers of religious services, the whole thing goes downhill fast. The term "Relevant" and "Emerging" are basically Christian marketing strategies that make the church seem a bit desperate. If the church is going to look like the world than we are probably better off staying at home doing our own personal Bible studies and worship.

I have visited many of these "relevant" churches and I must say, they not only leave me wanting, they also leave me a bit sad . I really don't think we can afford to dumb down the gospel at all these days...especially when we consider time is so very short.

April 28, 2011 at 9:55 PM  
Anonymous Amanda Daubenmeyer said...

That is so true. If people don't see a difference in us they aren't going to want what we have. We are supposed to be salt to the world. We are to make others thirsty for what we have in us.

If we stand for Truth we will see God use us to draw many to Him. If we compromise the Truth to try and save someone ourselves, we are losing so many more.

The church needs to stop trying to figure out how to reach people and start training up the body of Christ to be a vessel fit for God to use to draw the world to Him.

Great post. Thanks for sharing.
Blessings:)

April 29, 2011 at 1:02 AM  
Anonymous Luther@Living In Grace said...

The Gospel should not be dumbed down for anyone since it is the power of God unto salvation. If all we do and say in the church is identical to the world what are we winning the world to?

April 29, 2011 at 10:22 PM  
Anonymous Luther@Living In Grace said...

The " relevant " churches are great at drawing people in but are sorely lacking in discipleship it seems. If all the people who make decisions of faith are truly saved wouldn't our churches be full and our culture look vastly different?

April 29, 2011 at 10:23 PM  

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