The Curse of Liberalism

Certainly, liberalism is infecting our churches even today, ten years after the conservative takeover of the SBC. Only today, liberalism is creeping into the conservative churches and masquerading as a conservative. They focus more on being relevant to the culture of the lost than being relevant to God. They focus more on entertaining others than they do proclaiming the Word of God. They are method driven in desire to remain relevant. They count the numbers of dunked folks in their baptisteries as a matter of personal pride and arrogance, and say that the ends justify the means. Let me give you an example. Consider this following quote from a very famous pastor who most would have considered to be very conservative:

Nothing could be further from the truth. We are to preach the Word of God and go against the culture, not learn to think like them. We are called to be different. It is, indeed, a shame.

Joseph Botwinick

 

How do you interpret these verses? 1 Cor 9

[19] For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
[20] And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
[21] To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
[22] To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
[23] And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

This is not a trick question, I see your view on liberalism and would like your view on these verses.

 

What was his text? Did he ever expound any any scripture or use the word to support his feelings?

 

I ain't touching this with a 10 foot pole...Nope, can't make me, no way..

I'm already accused of being a narrow minded ninny as it is! :tongue3: :laugh:

-WTD

P.S. His speech reminded me of Jack Hyles, lots of hollering, and postering, but no scripture and no doctrinal depth...kinda like some IFBx'ers I know! :smilewinkgrin:

 

Interesting sermon, but no real meat to it.
The things he preaches against, most Christians are against anyway.

He is preaching to the Choir.

 

With the passing away of many of the great SBC "SuperPower" preachers----such as WA Criswell, Homer Lindsey, Jr, and Adrian Rogers--bulwarks of Southern Baptist heritage--and with each of the succeeding Ultra Conservative preacher in the land one day following suit in passing away---there will be a "creeping in" again of Liberalism in our great established SBC churches.

 

We still have Al Mohler. I think he will be around for a while. But yes, true conservative pastors are few and far between. BTW, have you figured out which "conservative" preacher made the statement that I quoted above? What do you think about this idea of trying to think like the pagan world in order to win them to Christ?

Joseph Botwinick

 

Bro. Joseph, that's why I was hoping you culd give your flavor of what Paul is saying here.

How do you interpret these verses? 1 Cor 9

[19] For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
[20] And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
[21] To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
[22] To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
[23] And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

This is not a trick question, I see your view on liberalism and would like your view on these verses.

 

Well, I would like to respond to what I feel Paul meant in these scriptures. And the difference between those who try to change the message to be "more relevant" and those who call a warning to this practice.

First, Paul was not saying he ever changed his message of the gospel or compromised his testimony, but he did relate to his audience in different ways with different methods. When talking with a Gentile he could not use the same argument as he would with a Jew. When dealing with one who he called 'weak' he identified with them as one who is weak as well. As a youth director I use a different approach when I talk to teens as compared to when I talk to parents...but my message never changes and my testimony is never compromised.

I think 'liberalisms' agenda is one that wants us to compromise for the sake of "relating" or to accept changes to our message to "reach more people" and this is not what I see Paul doing in his ministry. One of the major areas that we see this happening today seems to be through our youth and music ministries...because to argue against some of the worldly influences is to brand yourself as an uncaring legalist who doesn't want to use modern approaches to get God's world out...this is sad and slowly destroying our churches from the inside out!!

Ok that has been my opinion and thanks for letting me interupt :smilewinkgrin:

 

I agree. plus ten characters