From the Extreme Theology blog: I’ve been hosting my radio program for almost 2 years. One of the daily features of my program are the sermon reviews. Each week I review 3 to 4 sermons from seeker-driven / purpose-driven churches. I review them in their entirety and am generally mortified and disappointed at the shallow self-help / felt-needs seminars that have replaced true in depth Biblical preaching in so many of these church’s pulpits. After reflecting on the sermons I’ve reviewed from such churches as Saddleback, Willowcreek, Granger, NewSpring, Elevation, Fellowship Church, LCBC, South Hills, Fellowship of the Woodlands, Mosaic, The Orchard, and National Community, I set out to find one question that could tie all these sermons together so that I could identify the common theme in all of them. Here’s the question I came up with:
If I were an unbeliever and I attended these churches and listened to all their sermons week after week, how would I define the term “Christ Follower”?
Here’s the answer I came up with after reviewing the sermons preached at these seeker-driven / purpose-driven churches over the last 24 months:
March 11th, 2010 | 9:47 am | #1
I’m not familiar with much of Warren’s work beyond his famous book The Purpose Driven Life. And I generally agree with much of your sentiment.
But for my edification and growth I do have a question about your comment about him where you say that he tells pastors to measure spiritual growth by obedience. Isn’t the external fruit of a person’s life the evidence of true faith and Walking in the Spirit?
The Pharisees weren’t the most spiritually mature people because they were seeking their justification through works. But the fruit in our lives can be a confirmation of whether we are by faith getting our justification and sanctification through Christ’s finished work on the cross.
Jesus can see the insides that no one else can see (sometimes/oftentimes even with ourselves) and he judged the insides (hearts) of the Pharisees. Pastors/overseers/teachers can’t see the hearts of their flock, just the fruit. And I believe the church has a role in confirming fruit in the lives of people for the bigger purpose of showing that sin is the root of our human problems and The Gospel is the only solution.
Again, I totally agree with the bigger point of your post and look forward to checking out your blog and diving deeper into your work. Thanks!
March 11th, 2010 | 12:04 pm | #2
We need to be careful to avoid the opposite extreme, though. If Jesus is the Lord of all creation–then He has something to say about our marriages, our careers, and what we do with our money.
Jesus came to give us life, not just to form the basis of our creeds. We can’t separate “the spiritual life” from “real life.” Creeds and theology are important–but they also need to be applied to real life.
March 11th, 2010 | 12:57 pm | #3
Oh, yes. There are Protestants who treat “I accept Jesus as my personal savior” as, well, basically a magical incantation.
You can judge a tree by its fruit.
March 11th, 2010 | 1:14 pm | #4
[...] I would commend the entire post. [...]
March 11th, 2010 | 4:32 pm | #5
For the other side of this issue come to my LCMS church and you’ll find a group of Christ followers who are trusting in Christ alone, confessing the creeds, and listening to biblical teaching. They are also petty, disrespectful, and uncaring to those outside their circles. Perhaps it’s time to consider why in our churches, both seeker/purpose driven and LCMS, there are so few we would note as having “been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).
March 11th, 2010 | 5:23 pm | #6
Well, obviously, DT, we horrible, rotten no-good sinners in your congregation, and all other congregations, are lucky to have you among us to show us how to be with Jesus.
March 12th, 2010 | 10:27 am | #7
DT, I recommend meditating on the parables of the wise and foolish virgins, the net, and the wheat and tares. Even if your evaluation of their souls is correct, that is only to be expected.
March 12th, 2010 | 1:28 pm | #8
Point made, I think. You can have right theology and still be unkind. I count myself among those who see a discrepancy between what I believe and how I poorly I love. My suggestion was intended to be sincere rather than judgmental. I was merely pointing out that churches with good teaching have not necessarily nailed down a good understanding of what it means to be a Christ-follower.
Mary – I make no evaluation of their souls. I’m assuming the blood of Christ covers their sins. I’m not thinking of unregenerate in the church. I have in mind those of us (myself included) who follow Christ and yet often fail to honor Christ in words and actions.
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