The Gospel Coalition

It is absurd for the Evolutionist to complain that it is unthinkable for an admittedly unthinkable God to make everything out of nothing, and then pretend that it is more thinkable that nothing should turn itself into everything.

- G.K. Chesterton

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I have great admiration for Scot McKnight. He is an important New Testament scholar, whose work has aided me enormously in my theological studies. I visit his blog daily and enjoy his commentary, reflections, and most of all, his charitable Christian spirit. In the conversations we have had via phone and internet, he has always been most helpful. I count him as a friend and more importantly, a brother in the Lord.

I approach this post with a little trepidation, for I do not feel I have the scholarly prowess to take on someone of Scot’s stature. However, Scot’s recent letter (to Holly) bothered me for several reasons. In it, Scot seeks to lay out the current state of evangelicalism.

I believe Scot is right to say that “evangelicalism is ‘all over the place.’” Our diversity has only grown in the past fifty years.  I also agree that “we are at a fork in the road,” and that “within the next decade or so, we may be forced to choose.”

I agree with much of what Scot writes in this post. But to be frank, it’s this paragraph that is actually “all over the place.” He writes:

Many in the evangelical church today want to “clean house” by pushing out those who don’t believe exactly as they think — and not all of the concerns are with the essentials. And the house cleaning seems to be concerned with issues that tie culture and church together — they are concerned about which political party one votes for, where one stands on abortion and stem cell research and homosexuality, and they routinely declare which candidate is the most sacred. And they are concerned about women in ministry and megachurches and how much doctrinal diversity we can handle — and they think that nearly every variation leads to a slippery slope that will end up in apostasy or (worse yet) being a liberal. A clear sign of this is that I’m hearing more and more about denominations that are tightening up their doctrinal statements. This kind of rhetoric reminds me of the old days of Fundamentalism. These folks don’t want evangelicalism to be “all over the place.” They want it to be like an energetic child in one place: to sit in one place and just be quiet.

Okay. Here’s my attempt to unpack this paragraph. First, Scot mentions those who are using evangelicalism for political purposes, declaring candidates to be God’s choice. There is a significant wing of evangelicalism that is very political and very partisan. But it’s a mistake to lump the Jerry Falwells and Pat Robertsons of evangelicalism in with the next group, which is…

… a group concerned that evangelicalism’s growing diversity could be detrimental. His mention of women in ministry and the “slippery slope” to apostasy is a mild slap at Wayne Grudem’s new book that seeks to show how evangelical arguments for egalitarianism are often the same arguments that later lead to liberalism. (See my book review here.) My question for Scot is this: Is concern over doctrinal diversity necessarily a bad thing? And could it be that too much diversity in some of the more important non-essentials lead to an unacceptable diversity in the fundamentals of our faith?

His next sentence takes on denominations that are tightening their doctrinal statements. I’m sure one of the groups he is referencing here is the Southern Baptist Convention, of which I am a part. 

If I am reading Scot right (and if I’m not, Scot, feel free to correct me!), it seems that he sees the big boat of evangelicalism floating gently downstream, away from its rocky fundamentalist past. Recently, some evangelicals have decided to return upstream to the old days of fundamentalism and their lurch to the right threatens to upset the boat and possibly split it apart.

From my vantage point, the current situation is much different, and much worse. I see our boat as moored to a dock that represents a foundation built on Scripture. The boat may drift a little and bob up and down and all around every now and then, but the ropes hold it to the dock. The fundamentalists in the boat are alarmed that some of their moderate friends are beginning to loosen the ropes and slowly move downstream. And that’s why “slippery slopes” and certain “non-essentials” matter very much to conservatives, not because the fundamentals have been threatened yet, but because the ropes are already getting very slack. The boundaries are disappearing. We fear the boat will go downstream and crash into the same reef of liberalism as the mainline boats of decades ago.

I am concerned that Scot sees the “tightening” of doctrinal statements as a regressive step back. Does he think that “loosening” doctrinal statements is the only way forward? Sure, groups like the Southern Baptist Convention are tightening up their doctrinal statements in the non-essentials. Of course, one would hope that a denomination would never have to change our confession in regards to the essentials of the Christian faith. If, as Scot admits, non-essentials aren’t important enough to divide over, why does the tightening up of ”non-essentials” in doctrinal statements bother him?

The danger in evangelicalism is not a drift to the right, but a drift to the left. I agree with Scot that the cultural isoloation and strident fundamentalist fighting of forty years ago is not the way to go. But neither do I want to see a return to last century’s hollow liberalism. Perhaps the reason some evangelicals are tightening the belt and defining the boundaries is because others are slowly letting them go.

written by Trevin Wax. © 2007 Kingdom People Blog

How well do you know what Jesus said? Take these quizzes and find out. Be warned though. The advanced test is tough!

Beginner’s Test
Intermediate Test
Advanced Test

When you finish the test, be sure to come back here to share your score.

Think of megachurch pastors and names like Bill Hybels, Mike Breaux, Rick Warren, and Joel Osteen come to mind. Rarely does one think of Bob Russell. Now that I have had the chance to get to know Bob Russell personally, I bet that doesn’t bother him a bit.

Russell was at the helm of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY, one of the largest churches in the nation for more than 40 years. His book, When God Builds a Church: 10 Principles for Growing a Dynamic Church tells the story of Southeast Christian, while distilling principles from Scripture for implementation in other churches.

When God Builds a Church unveils Russell’s philosophy about church growth, as much by what it says as by what it doesn’t say. It is rare that a pastor can give so much practical, godly counsel without his advice devolving into formulas to be replicated everywhere else.

Russell’s principles for a dynamic church begin with Truth (he argues strongly for biblical authority, conservative theology, and a Bible-centured focus) and Worship (he avoids the “worship wars” by calling for selflessness). In the chapter on Leadership, he lays out the biblical case and practical rationale for a plurality of elders.

As one who has frequented Southeast on occasion (and even taught there several times), I appreciated the chapter on Excellence. Say what you may about the mega-church movement. No one can deny that everything at Southeast is done with a spirit of excellence. Would that more churches seek to honor the Lord by offering excellence in every part of church life!

Interspersed throughout the book are Russell’s recollections from his forty years of ministry. In the chapter on Faith, he recalls the sacrificial giving of the congregation. In the chapter on Harmony, he tells of tough moments when the church exercised discipline (highly unusual for a megachurch). Two other chapters (Participation and Fellowship) outline practical ways to get members involved.

Perhaps the most unique part of Russell’s contribution to church growth is his insistence on preaching the truth, even when it makes people uncomfortable. In the chapter on Stewardship, he argues for more preaching on money, even if people do not want to hear it. Russell constantly cuts against the prevalent megachurch mentality that avoids confrontation at all costs.

In the final chapter, Evangelism, Russell explains that being seeker-sensitive does not mean crafting a worship service with the seeker in mind. Instead, it means we should genuinely worship God and grow in our walk, while welcoming seekers into our midst. Southeast does this by having sermons crafted with Christians in mind, and also by serving Communion and baptizing new converts every Sunday.

All in all, When God Builds a Church is the best book I’ve read from anyone associated with the megachurch movement. It is practical and full of sound wisdom and its author is one of the godliest men I know.

written by Trevin Wax. © 2007 Kingdom People Blog

1. The Cotton Candy Lesson: Very sweet and full of air, but when bitten into – nothing there!

2. The Stuffed Olive Lesson: Pleasantly fashioned, pleasing tart stuffed with intellect – but no heart.

3. The Jello Fruit Salad Lesson: Shaking, prancing, quivering, preaching; lots of action – but low-calorie teaching.

4. The Poached Egg Lesson: Soft, sage, sentimental food; soothes every mind, calms every mood.

5. The Leftover Turkey Lesson: Meat they suspect you’ve served them before but disguised just enough for one Sunday more.

6. The Meat and Potatoes Lesson: Exciting flare and always good; the gospel preached with the Word understood!

- from Allan Taylor’s The Six Core Values of Sunday School

“If you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
- Jesus, from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:14-15)

Just after Jesus gave His disciples the majestic “Lord’s Prayer,” He inserted a difficult teaching about the necessity of forgiveness. It’s almost as though He felt He must go back and expound one of the key parts to the model prayer – “Forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

Protestants generally have had a hard time with this saying. Jesus seems to be promoting a salvation of “works,” by implying that God’s forgiveness of a person depends on that person’s forgiveness of another. There are several ways that Bible teachers have tried to squirm out from under such a hard teaching. Perhaps we should instead make our home here.

A crucial part of Jesus’ Kingdom message was the announcement of forgiveness. Many times, before Jesus would heal someone, He would announce their sins forgiven. He called His disciples to forgive others no matter how many times they had been wronged. He demanded His followers forgive not only the personal offences of their neighbors, but also their outstanding financial and social debts. Within this ministry of forgiveness, Jesus states that one cannot refuse to forgive others and still hope to bask in God’s forgiveness.

It does not help you to have one artery clear for blood to come rushing to your heart if the artery going out from your heart is blocked. A heart attack is still inevitable. You cannot stay alive by simply taking in one big breath of air and refusing to exhale. You cannot climb a tree and expect to remain up high if you cut off the branch you are sitting on.

Forgiveness works the same way. You cannot expect to receive God’s forgiveness unless you are an open vessel through which His mercy can flow on out to others. A blocked artery that refuses to allow blood to be pumped through will only cause heart failure. If we think we have accepted God’s forgiveness but are not forgiving others their debts, spiritually, we are as good as dead.

written by Trevin Wax. © 2007 Kingdom People Blog

“Gracious and holy Father,
     give me wisdom to perceive you,
     intelligence to fathom you,
     patience to wait for you,
     eyes to behold you,
     a heart to meditate upon you,
     and a life to proclaim you,
through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord.”

- Benedict

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A man can no more diminish God’s glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling ‘darkness’ on the wall of his cell.

- C.S. Lewis

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Grandpa and Grandma stepped out of their car and boarded a shuttle that whisked them away to their megachurch’s main sanctuary. Both had been regular attenders of Higher Heights Church since its founding half a century before. That small congregation of thirty had grown consistently for the first twenty years before seeing an explosion of growth in the early 1980′s. Now numbers swelled to over 25,000 a week.

The shuttle arrived at the main entrance to the sanctuary, but Grandpa and Grandma didn’t go into the main auditorium. Instead, they began walking down the corridor, past the coffee shop, bookstore, and art gallery to a small chapel that seated around 250 people.

Grandpa nodded to the old faces he saw. Many of the people had been there for more than thirty years. Others were newcomers, but still welcome. The couple took their seats in the chapel. The organist began playing “Faith of our Fathers.” This was the prelude to the traditional worship service that Grandpa and Grandma were expecting.

“Where’s John tonight?” Grandpa asked, wondering about their only son.

“Oh, he’s at the worship venue in that big tent we passed along the way here,” Grandma replied.

“The outdoor one?” Grandpa asked.

“That’s the one,” Grandma nodded. “It’s the one called ‘Heavenly Stairway,’ – you know, the one with all that Classic Rock of the 70′s.”

“Oh, that’s right,” Grandpa sighed. “He always did love those bands.” After a pause, he added, “But Sarah couldn’t stand that kind of music. I wonder how he convinced her to go to that service.”

“Oh, she’s not with him,” Grandma answered, nonchalantly. “She goes over to Worship Venue 5 – the Country music one that gives line-dancing lessons after church. You know she’s lost a lot of weight since she started going over there,” she chuckled.

“What about our grandkids, Jessica and Michael?”

“Well you know. Jessica goes to the Hawaiian islands venue, and Michael likes Hip Hop Central,” Grandma reminded him. “They come to church together, split up for the services, and then meet back after Sarah’s dancing lessons are over.”

“Oh, that’s right,” Grandpa sighed, before adding under his breath, “I miss the old days.”

“You’re showing your age,” Grandma laughed. “What do you mean?”

“I miss us going to church all together.”

“We didn’t even have a good air conditioner back then,” reminded Grandma.

“I know. But we were still together.”

“I guess you are forgetting the gossip and the fighting and the bickering. Why, don’t you remember some of those arguments?”

“I wouldn’t mind having a good fight now and then,” said Grandpa.

“I’m sure that’s the Holy Spirit talking,” Grandma said sarcastically.

“There aren’t any arguments now because we’re never with anyone who’s any different than us. Just look around, sweetheart. Who’s going to argue in here?”

“Times have changed. We’ve progressed. Just look at our attendance!”

“Well, at least we still go to church together,” Grandpa smiled.

“That’s right. And we always will,” Grandma affirmed. The organist began playing louder. The service was about to begin. “Look at where we were fifty years ago,” she added.

Grandpa began thinking of all the memories, the family outings, the church picnics, the family feuds, the stuffy sanctuary. He remembered seeing old and young, senior adults next to seniors in high school, newlyweds, young couples with children, grandparents and great-grandparents – all together, lifting their voices as one. Now, as he looked out across the sea of gray hair in front of him, he couldn’t help but feel alone.

“We’ve come a long way,” smiled Grandma.

“Yes, we have,” sighed Grandpa sadly. “We’ve come a long way.”

written by Trevin Wax. © 2007 Kingdom People Blog

Wayne Grudem’s Evangelical Feminism is a wake-up call to the evangelical world. Packed with hard-hitting evidence that documents the trajectory from egalitarianism to liberalism and eventually to the normalization of homosexuality, Grudem systematically demolishes the reasoning behind many egalitarian readings of Scripture.

I appreciated Grudem’s constant reminders throughout the book that not all egalitarians are by default liberals. He clearly counts many egalitarians as friends and colleagues. But all liberals are egalitarians. And furthermore, as Grudem relentlessly points out time and time again, the treatment of Scripture by many evangelical egalitarians is the same reasoning which eventually nullifies Scriptural teaching on a whole host of issues.

Grudem’s extensive research and his long defense of complementarianism make him the perfect person to author this work. Unfortunately, because many in the egalitarian camp have read other works by Grudem, it is likely that many will dismiss this book as another rehashing of previous arguments by Grudem.

However, Evangelical Feminism is different than Grudem’s other works, because here, Grudem is not offering evidence for complementarianism. Instead, he is focusing on the nature of the arguments in favor of egalitarianism, and showing through historical and theological research what happens when the same ways of thinking are applied to other issues. Liberalism always follows!

This is a very important book. Egalitarians can disagree with Grudem’s conclusions, but they cannot dismiss the evidence outlined in his book. The burden of proof now rests squarely on the shoulders of those who wish to remain egalitarian and evangelical.

written by Trevin Wax. © 2007 Kingdom People Blog