Phil Johnson, at Pyromaniacs, has written an excellent article on the lack of masculine preaching in the modern age and compares it to the preaching in Charles Spurgeon's day.
Spurgeon hated the effeminate tendencies of the Victorian pulpit, and he did everything he could to model a different trend. He said it's OK to be meek, and we ought to work hard at being gentle. But, he said, don't be "indifferent to truth and righteousness. God [does not choose] milksops destitute of backbone, to wear his glory upon their faces. We have plenty of men made of sugar, nowadays, that melt into the stream of popular opinion; but [men like that will] never ascend into the hill of the Lord."....The Bible says the church ought to be led by men, and every man in the church ought to aspire to be like the perfect man, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
The church, in a (failing) effort to combat hemorrhaging church attendance, has turned from the Word of God to chase after entertainment. So much of what goes on in the modern church is entertainment-driven and not based on Scripture. It has become a sanctuary of touchy-feely fluff and not the hard, rock-solid truth of God's Word. The best antidote to the decline of evangelical Christianity is the simple preaching of the gospel and the sufficiency of Scripture in reforming our everyday life.
I am thankful that I am part of a church that faithfully preaches the truth of God in a loving, gracious way.
Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man. (Proverbs 3:3-4)
-Jonathan
I've got a slightly offtopic and possibly odd question.
"and every man in the church ought to aspire to be like the perfect man, Jesus Christ. "
Why? What part do you believe this plays in one's faith?
Posted by: Jonathan Schultz | May 02, 2009 at 10:18 PM
I'm not sure if this is a trick question, Jonathan. ;) The Bible is replete with commands to be like Christ. Or maybe I'm not getting your question.
Posted by: Jonathan Girotti | May 04, 2009 at 07:39 PM
Appearently my comment earlier didn't make it up here.
I suppose I worded that poorly, so here is attempt #2.
I am aware of the commands in the NT to live a godly life. What I am wondering is what specific part does this play in one's Christian walk?
And don't worry, no tricks here :) I was wondering as I've been reading about this recently and I have the feeling that knowing where you stand here might be beneficial for me as you continue your series on Calvinism.
Posted by: Jonathan Schultz | May 05, 2009 at 10:24 PM
Living a godly life, for the Christian, is part of his/her gratefulness for Christ having saved them and love for His mercy toward them.
The gradual, life-long process of "becoming like Christ" is generally termed "sanctification." That is, God constantly and persistently makes us more like Himself and builds in us godly character.
Thus, while the Scripture commands us to be more like Christ--and we should follow those commands--it is ultimately God who completes our sanctification.
Does this answer your question?
Posted by: Jonathan Girotti | May 07, 2009 at 10:02 PM
Yes it does, thank you.
Posted by: Jonathan Schultz | May 10, 2009 at 10:38 AM