The Gospel: To Preach, or Not to Preach? Bear with Me in a Little Foolishness

"My worst fear is that we will become obsolete." Sound familiar? In an age when technological advances are severely outdated before they hit the shelf for consumers to even consider the plethora of choices, there is reason to be obsessed with relevance. But does this apply to the church? Are we to change our ways--our methods, our theology, etc--to fit the whims of the culture in which we live? Must we, like the world around us, evolve into something new? What does Scripture say: "Be ye relevant for I the Lord your God am relevant?" Or are we to be a distinct people? (For an excellent resource on this very subject, and also an excellent read, get your hands on David F. Wells' book, Above All Earthy Pow'rs.)

"Foolishness!" That is the word that marks the gospel, its delivery, and even those who preach it. For more than two centuries, "Christians" have been denouncing the wrath of God, which leads either to Hell or the cross of Christ, as being outmoded--a doctrine of a bygone era (the Medieval period) in which the Roman Catholic Church used scare tactics to force people to get in line with them, or face the inferno. In our century sin is little more than something that happens to you--or at worst a mistake that you make (usually that brings unwanted effects upon yourself). Retributive justice has become inhumane. Miracles are hogwash. A virgin birth is ridiculous. God is not transcendent--if He even exists. Jesus probably didn't say or do anything that is recorded about Him--as the early disciples were steeped in some mythological euphoria that two year olds wouldn't give lip-service. The cross--well, that really was never accepted by any mainline culture for what it is.

Who would have anticipated such radical rejection of the Christian gospel and the method known as "preaching." Paul.

"For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God" (1 Cor 1:22-24).
"And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God" (1 Cor 2:1-5).

Paul was not concerned with the cultural relevance of his message. Whether people wanted to hear it or not, Paul preached the cross--and by that he meant Christ's substitutionary death for His people--as the only way to God. He was not in the business of being the best orator (though oratory skills are not a bad thing, consider Apollos), he was not concerned with using popular medium (though there is nothing wrong with using such), nor was he concerned that people may not find his message appealing. Paul preached. He preached so that God may demonstrate His power--Paul humbled himself and used God's means, rather than man's. It is the power of God in the preaching of the gospel that brings salvation--not the wisdom and ingenuity of man. Thus--soli deo gloria--God alone gets the glory.

The Corinthians were concerned about following the best apostle--the best orator, the one with the most conversions, etc (1 Corinthians 1:11-17; 3:1-15). Paul, however, wasn't concerned about being the best--he was concerned about being faithful. For that reason he preached Jesus Christ. Paul was irrelevant to both Jews and Greeks. The only ones who

listened were the called of God--and they weren't wise, noble, or mighty. He was preaching a seemingly obsolete message received by an obsolete bunch--and God was glorified (1 Corinthians 1:26-31). God saved people--something no man or woman ever could do.

Brothers and sisters, I'm not going to tell you what needs to change or not to change in your Church, Bible Study, or Ministry. I'm not going to tell you what kind of music you ought to have in worship services. I'm not going to tell you whether or not you ought to use technology in your church or whether you need to become Amish. What I am telling you is this: Preach the gospel, the whole gospel, and nothing but the gospel (and the implications that flow therefrom). If you do otherwise, you will dishonor God and face and be responsible before Him on the Last Day (1 Cor. 3:10-15). You are an ambassador of Christ--you are under obligation to preach--woe to you if you do not (and I say that out of a deep heartfelt concern for you, not anger).

We are commanded to be holy as the Lord our God is holy--if you are faithful to Him, you will be.