“Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Luke 3:8-9)

Seeker Sensitive CEOs And Subversive Counter Culture Come To The Rescue Of The Church

Today there is a new evangelicalism which has come slithering into the Church and is now Emerging as a man-centered “Christianity”. With its ear-tickling Cross-less social gospel of human potential it is currently even swallowing up evangelicalism itself. This new focused on the self religion seems purposely driven to be “everybody’s friend” and forms the basic message of man-pleasing leaders like Rick Warren and fellow SBC Cultural Architect, the ever distinguished futurist Erwin McManus. You’ll also see it in a counter culture form as well in the warped and toxic teachings of Emergent Church cult leaders Brian McLaren and his friend rabbi wannabe Rob Bell.

O, but how different is the following by George Whitefield (1714-1770) taken from a sermon based on 2 Timothy 3:12 – Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. This particular message by Whitefield, a mighty man of God, stands in stark contrast to myriad man-pleasers infesting the Body of Christ today. It points out yet again that despite what these weak kneed whiners constantly cry the true message of Jesus Christ and Him crucified has always been offensive to the unregenerate, and not only that, it will also inevitably result in the persecution of those who faithfully preach the genuine Gospel of our glorious and majestic, great and mighty God.

And toward the end of this powerful sermon Whitefield asks:

Are there any true ministers of Jesus Christ here? You will not be offended if I tell you, that the words of the text are, in an especial manner, applicable to you. Paul wrote them to Timothy; and we, of all men, that live godly in Christ Jesus, must expect to suffer the severest persecution. Satan will endeavor to bruise our heels, let who will escape: and it has been the general way of God’s providence, in times of persecution, to permit the shepherds first to be smitten, before the sheep are scattered.

Let us not therefore show that we are only hirelings, who care not for the sheep; but, like the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls, let us readily lay down our lives for the sheep. Whilst others are boasting of their great perferments, let us rather glory in our great afflictions and persecutions for the sake of Christ. Paul rejoiced that he suffered afflictions and persecutions at Iconium and Lystra: out of all, the Lord delivered him; out of all, the Lord will deliver us, and cause us hereafter to sit down with him on thrones, when he comes to judge the twelve tribes of Israel.

Yet as my friend Pastor Bob DeWaay points out in his excellent book Redefining Christianity, “[Rick] Warren plans to change the church, and having changed it, use the church as a vehicle to solve the world’s biggest problems”. I show you more about this in Brian McLaren: Quiet Revolution of Emergent Global Dominion Theology where the Emergent Guru mentions this very thing re. Warren in a talk he gave recently. But ask yourself: If this was actually the Gospel preached by Jesus Christ, why in the world would anyone have persecuted and crucified Him for that? And why would the world of unbelievers persecute the aforementioned men for preaching this? Answer: They wouldn’t. And they won’t.

No, see this new emergent evangelical man-centered religion passing for Christianity for what it is. Deceivers like Rick Warren and Brian McLaren and Dan Kimball are saying to the Lord:

Hey dude, now we know you can’t come back until we subdue the world for you. But man, you gotta realize that this old idea of the preaching the Cross is just so horribly outdated today. No Jesus, if people are going to like us then we’re going to have to tell them that you love them just as they are.

But hey Lord, don’t you worry bud cuz we’ve got this Chistianity thing all under control for ya. And now that we’re “missional” and have finally made your gospel “relevant,” why just reimagine, you’ll be able to come back in no time.