A Wordless Gospel is Like a Digitless Phone Number

How many times have you bumped into the expression, “Preach the Gospel, if necessary, use words.” I detest that expression. I think I understand why some people like it, they want to emphasize the need to not only be hearers, but doers of the Word. OK, I get that, but the vast majority of those who use the phrase do so to denigrate doctrine, to advocate the whole “deeds not creeds” mentality. Well, I overheard on Justin Taylor’s blog this wonderful retort, which I will use each time I hear this expression, going forward:

Saying “Preach the gospel; if necessary use words” is like saying “Tell me your phone number; if necessary use digits.”