One doesn’t have to be a particularly harsh critic to observe that most evangelical churches[1] in America, are not very effectual. Both in terms of the disciples (lasting fruit) they produce and the general impact they have on the culture. A.W. Tozer once wrote of the modern church,
“To many observing persons today it appears that conversion does not do for people as much as it once did. Too often the experience passes, leaving the seeker unsatisfied and deeply disappointed…and turn back frankly to the old life.”[2]
Tozer wrote these words in the mid twentieth century and few would argue that things have improved in the church seventy years later. The problem is still unsolved. The general level of moral and spiritual maturity seems to be so low that preachers are tempted to tread lightly on moral issues and appeal to the lowest common denominator of a congregation’s spiritual interest.
The Vitality of the Early Church
Yet when we read the New Testament, we are struck by the vitality, passion, and zeal of the early church. It is puzzling to observe the contrast, the lack of spiritual dynamism-with the modern institutionalized church. The Jesus followers of the early church were transformed in every detail of their lives by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Steve Gregg writes,
“Their lives were transformed by the message of Christ and the apostles in such a way as to turn them to an entirely new course of life—new relationships, new values, new goals, new enthusiasm.”[3]
The people of the time may have not agreed with their message; they may have not wanted to live this new life they were living, but none could argue that their lives had truly been changed by the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
What’s Wrong?
There are many opinions concerning the lack of power and zeal of today’s converts. Some might say it’s the advent of the technological age and all the temptations that go with it. Others might blame the sexual immorality that can so easily be found at the click of one’s computer. Still others might blame the corruption of the general culture in the secular world.
In studying the ancient church, a Protestant might readily conclude that a major cause of the corruption in the Medieval Church can be traced to the defective nature of the gospel that was preached at that time. The fresh discovery of the biblical Gospel by Martin Luther, who as a Roman Catholic monk in a Roman Catholic world, had the courage to challenge the leaders of the church, is celebrated today. The Protestant Reformation rediscovered the biblical Gospel.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ Hasn’t Changed
One author wrote, “Whatever message we convert people with will determine what we convert them to.”[4] Could it be that the blame for today’s church impotence lies in the nature and content of our preaching! Something’s missing. Something is defective in our communication. The gospel hasn’t changed. Paul wrote of the gospel,
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith’” (Romans 1:16-17).
D. Martin Lloyd-Jones wrote these prophetic words,
“How does it come to pass that, with open Bibles before them, men and women should be wrong not so much about certain details with respect to the Gospel, but about the whole thing, about the very essence of the Gospel?”[5]
Has the gospel been hijacked? Are we preaching and contending “earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3)? More on this next time.
Pastor Steve
[1] I would define an evangelical church as a sector of the professed Christian community that seeks to uphold a conservative view of the authority and inspiration of the scriptures.
[2] A.W. Tozer, “We are Committed to the Whole Message,” in The Set of the Sail, (Camp Hill, PA.: Wingspread Publishers, 1986), page 18.
[3] Steve Gregg, Empire of the Risen Son, (Maitland, FL, Xulon Press, 2021), Introduction.
[4] Ibid.
[5] D. Martin Lloyd-Jones, The Kingdom of God (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 1992 by Bethany Lloyd-Jones) page 8.
