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R O O M F O R P L E A S U R E R O O M F O R B U S I N E S S • B u t f o r C h r i s t t h e c r u c i f i e d6forth fruits in keeping with repentance … Andnow also the axe is laid to the root of the trees:therefore every tree which does not bring forthgood fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire(Matthew 3:2,7,8,10).He should have known that the unchurched dislikesuch authoritative, “holier than thou” styles ofcommunication. Perhaps a trendy church skit or anevangelistic chariot wash would have producedbetter results.While John the Baptist did not lack enthusiasmfor the cause of Christ, the fact that his public ministrylasted only six months ending with his imprisonmentand decapitation illustrates his faulty methodology.Just imagine the harvest that John the Baptistcould have reaped had he softened his messagea bit and been more positive. If he had taken ourapproach, he could have been one of the greatestministers of the gospel in all of church history. Itis true that John the Baptist was commended byChrist, but we cannot help thinking how muchgreater he could have been used if he had not beenso disengaged from the culture and “preachy” inhis ministry. Surely, John the Baptist could learnfrom our example of accommodation, diplomacy,and peaceful coexistence with unchurched mensuch as King Herod.The earthly ministry of our Saviour is notwithout regrettable examples of offensive methods.It is somewhat surprising to us that Jesuschose to emulate the old-style methods of thosewho preceded Him rather than our modern andefficacious style, which He undoubtedly foreknew.The way in which He spoke to the religious leaderscould hardly be considered inclusive or diplomatic.Also, the incident with the moneychangers and thewhip represents inconsistent behaviour from Onewho spoke of being “meek and lowly in heart”.Again, Jesus went so far as to publicly implythat a particular unchurched woman was a dogand not worthy to receive spiritual bread (Matt.15:26). The sixth chapter of John records perhapsthe most tragic event in the earthly ministry of ourSaviour. While trying to inform His hearers aboutobtaining eternal life, Jesus represented the wayas so difficult and narrow that many, many of Hisfollowers turned back “and were not walking withhim any more” (v66). This same narrowness can beseen in the nineteenth chapter of Matthew whenthe rich young ruler inquired of Jesus the way toeternal life and was sent “away sorrowful” by thestringency of Jesus’ words.Given the fact that Jesus ministered in thestyle of Elijah and John the Baptist (Luke 9:18-19), it seems obvious to us why His three yearsof incessant labour produced the rather smallishchurch of 120 souls at the day of Pentecost. Itis certainly commendable that Jesus healed thesick and fed the multitudes. However, we believethat Jesus could have done a great deal more toengender goodwill with His targeted market. Hisministry’s unappealing narrowness was sadlyconspicuous on the day the people cried, “Awaywith this man, and release to us Barabbas”!To the apostle Peter we would like to address thematter of Ananias and Sapphira. Peter should havefound a less confrontational approach to dealingwith this well-intentioned couple. Had they notgiven a sizable portion of their wealth to the workof the ministry? Diplomacy and inclusivity wouldhave proven much more positive than the causticand accusatory language spoken by Peter. The factthat Peter was the human agency of their swiftdemise must have done irrepairable damage to hisreputation as a minister of our longsuffering andgracious heavenly Father. We can only imagine whatharm was done to the spread of the gospel when, toquote from our beloved NIV, “Great fear seized thewhole church and all who heard about these events… No one else dared join them” (Acts 5:11, 13). Weare sure that this regrettable incident with Ananiasand Sapphira kept many compromisers, liars, falseprofessors, hypocrites, and covetous persons outof church fellowship. These are the very people wehave had stupendous success bringing into God’shouse. It is not recorded, but we are sure the Lordmust have been grieved at Peter’s unloving dealingswith this misunderstood couple.There remain numerous examples in the NewTestament of objectionable methods, but timewould fail us to decry them all thoroughly. However,we must mention one other matter from the lifeof the apostle to the unchurched. We find Paul’sdemeanour and attitude toward those outside thechurch to be reprehensible. Please consider someof the scandalous things he wrote:Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers:for what fellowship has righteousnesswith unrighteousness? And what communionhas light with darkness? And what concord hasChrist with Belial? Or what part has he that believeswith an infidel? And what agreement hasthe temple of God with idols? … Therefore comeout from among them, and be separate, says theLord, and do not touch the unclean thing; and Iwill welcome you (2 Corinthians 6:14–17).And have no fellowship with the unfruitfulworks of darkness, but rather expose them(Ephesians 5:11).Them that sin rebuke before all, that the othersalso may fear (1 Timothy 5:20).Preach the word; be ready in season, out ofseason; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and instruction. For the time will comewhen they will not endure sound doctrine; butafter their own desires they shall gather forthemselves teachers, having itching ears; Andthey shall turn away their ears from the truth,and shall be turned to myths (2 Timothy 4:2-4).A striking difference between us and Paul theapostle, is his seeming indifference to numericalsuccess. He seemed content to focus his ministryon building a pure bride, even if numerically small.This evidently required that Paul have the battlefieldmindset of a soldier, which is much different thanour own mindset. We dislike the fact that he wasalways fighting and contending. A variety of verbsare used to describe the ministries of Paul andhis associates in the book of Acts. They wereubiquitously found disputing against, reasoningwith, speaking boldly to, preaching to, persuading,exhorting, declaring, and warning their hearers.We believe that this kept them from entering intopeace and rest such as we have. We believe thatby not fighting with the world, we have discoveredthe green pastures and still waters about whichthe Lord spoke in the Psalms. It is not surprisingto us that Paul’s polemical ministry caused him tospend a great deal of time in prison. Perhaps Godwas trying to speak to him there about changinghis methods.We could write for many more pages aboutthe deficiencies of those who ministered beforeAD 1950. Certainly the reformers such as Tyndaleand Luther were wrong in their approach in the1500s. John Bunyan was obviously off track sincehis dogmatism caused him to be locked up in theBedford jail for over a decade in the 1600s. Wecondemn the offensive manner in which the likesof George Whitefield, John Wesley, and scores ofother fanatics preached repentance in the open airto the unchurched in the 1700s. Perhaps the worstexample of such old-style fanaticism was exhibitedby William and Catherine Booth, the founders of theSalvation Army, in the 1800s. It gives us pangs ofnausea when we contemplate the shameful andembarrassing tactics that those here listed used inthe name of our mild-mannered and gentle Jesus.By looking at a description of Whitefield’spreaching, it is plain to see the unchristian tone ofhis sermons. Bishop J.C. Ryle said that Whitefieldwas:... perpetually telling you about your sins,your heart, Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost, theabsolute need of repentance, faith, holiness…” (Christian Leaders of the 18th Century, byJ.C. Ryle, p. 51)Let us look at another example. Note the profusionof negative language in this excerpt from a JohnWesley sermon:Thou ungodly one who hearest these words,thou vile, helpless, miserable sinner, I chargethee before God, the judge of all, go straightunto Jesus with all thy ungodliness … Goas altogether ungodly, guilty, lost, destroyed,deserving and dropping into hell … Plead thousingly the blood of the covenant, the ransompaid for thy proud, stubborn, sinful soul.(Christian Leaders of the 18th Century, by J.C.Ryle, p. 93)And what were the effects of these unchristianmethods on the hearers? We could demonstrateour point using numerous examples from the lives ofthe men listed above, but let us look at one accountfrom the journal of George Whitefield:Most were drowned in tears. The Word wassharper than a two-edged sword. The bitter criesand groans were enough to pierce the hardestheart. Some of the people were as pale as death;others were wringing their hands; others lyingon the ground; others sinking into the arms offriends; and most lifting up their eyes to Heavenand crying to God for mercy. (George Whitefield,Vol. 1, by Arnold Dallimore, p. 487)The damage done to the hearers, particularly to anyunchurched people that might have been present,can be clearly seen in Whitefield’s own account.Robbed of their self-esteem, many of Whitefield’shearers were driven into what must have beenmental illness. In fact, a complaint was made toBishop Benson that 15 persons were driven mad byWhitefield’s first sermon, which he preached at hisordination. With such deleterious effects as these,it is no wonder that Luther, Tyndale, Bunyan, Booth,
N o t a p l a c e t h a t H e c a n e n t e r • I N Y O U R H E A R T F O R W H I C H H E D I E Dthe early Methodists, and many others were sobitterly opposed by the more mature and pragmaticchurch leaders of their day.Though we reject nearly all “great” men fromprevious centuries (except Constantine), thereare many truly great ones who came immediatelybefore us upon whose shoulders we stand. Wecould not have had such wonderful success withoutpioneers such as Harold Ockenga, Billy Graham,and the other founders of neo-evangelicalismwhose bold stance against the intolerant andmean-spirited fundamentalists paved the way forour movement. Their example of diplomacy, theirrepudiation of separation, and their willingness toadapt church standards to the changing Westernculture cannot be overstated. Also, the efforts ofBill Bright, Chuck Colson, and the other signatoriesof Evangelicals and Catholics Together (ECT) helpedprepare America for the burgeoning of ecumenicalactivity that has modified the spiritual climate infavour of rapid church growth. The modern Bibletranslations such as the New International Version(NIV) have also played no small part in our success.Interestingly, we find that very, very few of theadherents of the archaic King James Bible are insupport of our methodology. We must thank menlike Robert Schuller and James Dobson for theirtireless efforts to make pop psychology acceptablein the church. Pop psychology has proven to beextremely attractive to those whose ears seem toitch for a positive message.Lastly, we must acknowledge our indebtednessto Anton LaVey, an important pioneer in spiritualmatters. In the 1960s LaVey founded the Church ofSatan. He also authored the Satanic Bible, whichhas sold hundreds of thousands of copies all overthe world. Under his leadership the Church of Satangrew to 10,000 members worldwide, which clearlymakes it a mega-church. We are somewhat enviousof LaVey for his success in recruiting some ofHollywood’s biggest stars such as Sammy Davis Jr,and Jayne Mansfield, both of whom were involvedin the Church of Satan. We have been earnestlypraying for someone like Madonna or Howard Sternto join one of our churches that we might see themcontinue their careers “for the Lord”. How, you mayask, was LaVey able to build such an influential andlarge church for Satan? We believe that the twoquotes below may give a hint as to the reason:We established a Church of Satan—somethingthat would smash all concepts of what a“church” was supposed to be. This was a templeof indulgence to openly defy the temples ofabstinence that had been built up until then. Wedidn’t want it to be an unforgiving, unwelcomingplace, but a place where you could go to havefun. (Anton Szandor LaVey, History of the Churchof Satan by Blanche Barton)LaVey came to genuinely believe that hismessage of aggressive self-interest was away of individuals to achieve freedom andhappiness in their lives. He saw Satan, not asa tempter of mankind, but as a spur to humanself-improvement. (http://www.satanic-kindred.org/tribute.htm).These two quotes reveal that the philosophy of“ministry” utilised by Anton LaVey is strikinglysimilar to our own. We must mention that thereare numerous irreconcilable differences betweenWhat’s happeningto Christian TV?By ERIC SMITHPastor, AG USAIF the world looks at the brand ofChristianity that they see on Christiantelevision channel TBN, and decidethey want nothing to do with Christbased upon what they see there—Iwon’t blame them. I have absolutely no interestin that brand of “Christianity” either. In fact as achurch planter I have found myself in the positionof having to overcome that false perception of“Christianity” in order to reach the “unchurched”population. That’s no surprise considering if youronly exposure to Jesus and/or Christians is whatyou take in from television....well, uh...ouch!Consider some typical fare from the Praise TheLord show on TBN:Frequent TBN guest and Hollywood actress,Dyan Cannon, often shows up on the Praise TheLord show to share her “love for Jesus”. Theproblem is her “testimony” clashes with herlatest movie, Boynton Beach Club, in whichDyan plays a character who commits adultery,watches pornography and gives gross graphicdescription of what she is watching, and usesfilthy/inappropriate language. What in theworld? A better question:For what fellowship has righteousness withlawlessness? And what communion has lightwith darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14).Or how about Paul’s advice to us:And have no fellowship with the unfruitfulworks of darkness, but rather expose them.(Ephesians 5:11).Next time she appears on TBN perhaps she cangive her opinion of 1 John 1:6:If we say that we have fellowship with Him,and walk in darkness, we lie and do notpractise the truth.Pardon me if I turn the channel. You might see theLaVey’s beliefs and ours, yet these differencesseem to be peripheral. At the core, his philosophyof ministry and ours match up very closely with theobvious exception that we serve God rather thanSatan. We are thankful to Mr LaVey for his ironiccontributions to our great work.As you can see from the cogent argumentsoutlined in this piece of correspondence, theconditions under which you laboured were whollyunnecessary. Your toiling, your deprivation, andyour strictness were an unfortunate tragedy. Notonly did you suffer needlessly, your efforts weredreadfully hampered by the faulty methods thatyou employed. Most thankfully, God has enabledus to forge new paths that are not so straight, nornarrow, nor toilsome, as those upon which youolder saints were obliged to tread. In heaven welook to receive honour and glory commensuratebounty hunter otherwise known as “Dog”. You’ve nodoubt seen this guy. He’s got the long blonde mulletand chases down bad guys. I’ve personally seenhim “testify” on TBN about his “Christianity”. Ifyou’ve ever seen his TV show, he’ll gather his groupof bounty hunters together to pray—then he’lldrop “f” bombs all over the place while they chaseafter a criminal. Maybe I’m old fashioned... .ormaybe I just take the Word of God at face value.Pardon me if I put TBN on channel block. I don’tneed to watch any more hypocrites talk aboutJesus. I’m not even mentioning the myriad of falsedoctrine, prosperity preaching, preachers obsessedwith money, their image, fancy clothing, telling youto sow your seed (but have you noticed they nevertell you to sow it into your local church—it has to beinto THEIR ministry if it’s going to work) ad nauseam,that you regularly see on “Christian” TV. And wewonder why the world laughs at us?The problem lies in the fact that many of these socalled Christians have bought into the lie that theycan accept Jesus as their Saviour, but not as theirLord. To be truly saved Jesus must be our Lord, aswell as our Saviour. He has to be in control. He’s thepearl of great price—we must reject everything tocome to Him. Many proclaim their love for Jesus,but do not fear Him as their Lord.The Bible tells us that the fear of the Lord isthe beginning of wisdom. Christian TV sure needsa dose of that.About the AuthorERIC SMITH is a church planter/pastor in Dayton, Ohio (USA),where he and his wife Juli livewith their three children. Heand his AG Church are amongthe latest to join the growinglist of Churches (Fellowships)recommended by CWM — see:http://www.cwmfellowship.org/network.htmlwith our accomplishments for Christ. Until we arrivethere, we bid you enjoy the meagre fruits of yourflawed labours. When we join you in the CelestialCity, our brilliance will surely outshine your tarnishedglory. We will undoubtedly be given the seats ofhonour in the presence of the King as a result of oursuperior methodology.Respectfully yours,Steering Committee MembersMega-church Association of AmericaCopyright © 2005 The Chalcedon Foundation • www.chalcedon.edu • All Rights Reserved Worldwide.About the AuthorDR FRANK CHASE is a practising generalsurgeon in South Carolina. He and his familyattend Covenant Free Presbyterian Church inLexington.7
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