In our last installment, we addressed the problem of liberalism from an historical perspective with particular emphasis on the institutional movement during the 40’s and 50’s era. In this issue, we want to address the problem of weakness which characterizes many churches today. God being my helper, I will try to be objective in arriving at the conclusions, and this by applying the law of rationality; which says, “all conclusions must be based upon adequate evidence.”

Lets begin by seeking to establish the reason or reasons for said weaknesses. Brethren, doesn’t it begin at the top; especially with the kind of preaching which is being done today? Preaching today may be true in what is declared, but much of it is weak and many times “watered down.” The kind of preaching declared from many pulpits among “us” could be favorably received in many denominational churches. Preaching today doesn’t have the old familiar ring that it once had, and many times the focus is on what the preacher believes, and not on New Testament objectivity. A real danger, too, is preacheritis, and the preacher “scratching the itching ears” of those “who love to have it so.” Our Lord said, “...preach the word...” and this doesn’t mean preach what I believe about it. Something else which comes into play here is “it is not what we know, but how we feel about it.” We need to remember what the apostle said in 2 Tim. 4:1-8. (Please read these passages) He said that preaching the word involved reproving, rebuking and exhorting, and this with all longsuffering and teaching.

Preaching today is not producing the same results that were produced in New Testament days. Those in sin are not made to feel any remorse about their condition. This is quite a contrast to the results of New Testament preaching. In that experience, men could feel the force of the message, and many were moved to obedience to God’s word. On Pentecost (Acts 2) the apostle Peter “pulled no punches” in pointing out to the Jews on that occasion that they were guilty of crucifying the Son of God, and that with wicked hands. They were pricked (to stab, pierce thoroughly-Young) in their hearts. (Acts 2:37) How can men repent and change their lives if the word preached does not touch their hearts in this way?

We are told that Felix, the governor, trembled (was terrified-ASV) at the preaching of Paul. (Acts 24:25) But the tendency today is to soften the message, and make it acceptable to everyone, and to fit Christ into the mold of man’s thinking, rather than fitting man into the mold of Christ’s thinking. This philosophy has led to the emergence of the Community Church. It is the result of soft and weak preaching which produces soft and weak churches. God admonishes, and we need to get this, “be ye steadfast, unmovable always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (I Cor. 15:58)