IT IS BEING widely heralded that there is a great spiritual resurgence sweeping this country and other parts of the world, and that people, disillusioned after years of materialism, are now hungry for the Gospel. We would that this were so, but it is neither our experience nor is it what we hear from near and far. Where the simple Gospel as was preached by the apostles is proclaimed in halls, chapels, on the street corners, in penal institutions, and in tract dissemination, there is still the same apathy and cold indifference manifested that has so long prevailed. The present conditions are much the same as when the Lord Himself spoke in Matt. 11 of the preaching of John the Baptist and of His own. The people then were neither moved by the pronouncements of coming judgment and call to repentance by John, nor by the sweet strains of grace coming from the lips of Him who was full of grace and truth.
There are none of the earmarks present of a distinct work of the Holy Spirit in the souls of men as was witnessed about 100 years ago. At that time men, women, and children were burdened with a deep sense of sin and guilt before God, and truly sought salvation. People were saved at prayer meetings where there was no preaching whatever and many tears dropped from the eyes of those who were overwhelmed by conviction before God. The impact was felt in whole communities, and crime diminished proportionately. The very opposite seems to be the rule now, for many authorities scarcely know how to cope with the rising tide of violence and corruption.
It is true that great crowds turn out to hear world-famed evangelists and to see "Christian celebrities." At some of these meetings thousands have signed cards or raised their hands to signify their interest in Christ or to dedicate their lives to the church, or for one of the many reasons suggested for coming forward. We sincerely hope that among these there are many who have or will truly find the Savior. We can, with the Apostle, rejoice if Christ is preached and souls get a blessing but it is our considered judgment that there is much in these big drives that is artificial and spurious. There is a day coming that will declare the true worth of such displays, although we should seek even now to weigh things in the balances of the Sanctuary, and form our own lives and paths of service according to the Word. Many things pass as great religiously, in this world, which will be reduced to ashes by the fire which shall try every man's work of what sort it is—not of how much it is (1 Cor. 3:13). Elaborate preparations and great publicity are no substitute for the work of the Spirit of God. Man naturally is impressed by great displays as the Philistines were when all Israel shouted until the earth rang again, but Israel's religious excitement on that occasion was hollow and vain, and soon they were defeated by the Philistines. Even Elijah was moved by a great wind and an earthquake and fire, b u t the Lord's power was in the still small voice.
Modern evangelism is mixing with the world it pretends to convert, and the net result will inevitably be a greatly lowered spiritual tone throughout Christendom. It will foster and breed worldliness among true believers and open the floodgates for error. In order to attract the crowds and get what are deemed results, there has to be much that appeals to the flesh. It is not a rejected and despised Christ that is preached, but a popular and world-adorned Christ. It is not the cross which Paul said crucified Him to the world and the world to Him, but a cross which has suddenly become honorable and great in the world. Paul never preached a popular Gospel in his day. The popular Gospel of that time was one which could mix circumcision and Judaism with the truth of God. Judaism was a religion adapted to man in the flesh, and that accommodated itself to the world in its politics and schemes, but Paul preached Christ crucified-a Man cast out by the world—which was foolishness to the cultured Greek, and a stumbling block to the religious Jew.
When Paul went to Rome, he went there as a prisoner. The great of the world were there, and God had decreed that they should hear the Gospel, but not in such a way that would flatter them—they were to hear it from a man in chains. Some in Caesar's household were saved, but they were not paraded as "Christian celebrities" to glamorize the Gospel. Some might say, Times have changed since then. So they have, but a rejected Christ is no more wanted now than then. Constantine was the Roman emperor that popularized Christianity, and thousands upon thousands were added to the Church; instead of Christians being persecuted, they were honored: but alas! the Church rapidly sank down to the level of the world. Such will ever 'be the result of a popular, glamorized Gospel.
People prominent in the world's affairs—even in the entertainment field—are sought because of their influence. Now we do not say that the entertainment world of Hollywood has greater sinners than then' are elsewhere nor do we think that the Gospel of the grace of God cannot reach to them—thank God it can and perhaps does. But does that make them "Christian celebrities" who should be displayed while many of them continue in their work of entertaining men, women, and children who are on the road to hell? Such fare is what the god of this world serves to delude his victims. Here is a statement of one of these so-called celebrities who was justifying singing religious songs after the manner of the world: "The youth of the country needs impetus. If they can know that religion can be fun and happy, then they'll be interested." And to make religion fun, people are given to feel that they can accept Christ and go right on with their worldly occupations and pastimes; in other words, they can have Christ and the world too. Such carnal Christianity can only have a demoralizing effect on the profession as a whole, and on so-called fundamentalism in particular.
People who profess to be saved under the influence of present-day evangelism with its expertly planned histrionics, are apt to be mere "stony ground" hearers which have no root. The consciences of such have never been plowed, and they have never felt themselves lost sinners in the sight of God, nor been before Him about their sins. They have never had to count the cost of confessing Christ before a hostile world, for they have been led to believe it is a popular thing to do. "Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be seasoned?" Luke 14:34. Christianity without repentance, and without its separating effect from the world, is like salt which is no longer salty—it is worthless.
We are mindful of the fact that God is sovereign and can use such carnal presentations of the Gospel to save souls if He chooses to do so, but even where it is real it is bound to be shallow and superficial except as God may deepen the work through other means. The Christianity of the Bible is a deep, vital throbbing thing which is to influence lives day by day—to separate believers in heart from a condemned world. O for more depth in conversions of souls! O for more holy separation from the world—from its religion, its philosophies, its pleasures, its spirit of wealth, its politics, and all!
And where do these souls who are really converted (if only shallowly) go when the great campaign is over?
Everything is so well organized that their names and addresses are collected and turned over to some church. And then what will many of them get? Near the same time that we received an account of the great campaign in England, stating that "about every individual church of all the denominations" participated. we received another paper published under the authority of "The Lord Bishop of Coventry." in which the lead article derided the books of Jonah and Daniel as not of divine inspiration. Think of souls who made a profession of being converted being turned over to a church which would call any part of God's Word only a parable and "superb story telling.... the English of the translation" being "up to the level of Shakespeare." And yet nearly every church with such abominable heterodoxy was linked in a great evangelistic drive—for what? to save souls? or to make church members? And if they were saved, how can they grow on such perversions and poison?
And from these movements which link worldly methods with a Gospel effort, and in which many dear children of God participate, there are many gradations of worldly Christianity on down to a vulgarized travesty. There are the religious novels (the sale of which is pointed out as a mark of spiritual resurgence) which distort the Word of God and warp truth so that the reader has wrong thoughts instilled in him and is blinded thereby. Then there are the songs with religious themes that are being accorded a place side by side with trashy hit songs of the day, and are enjoyed by absolute Christ-rejecters. The world is also being entertained by motion pictures of Biblical narratives which amount to vulgar parodies and caricatures on the truth. Think of a godless, Christ-rejecting world, intoxicated by the pleasures of sin, going down to hell while enjoying a burlesque representation of solemn lessons from the Word of God. O Christendom, whither art thou bound? How true a description has been given us of these days: "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof." 2 Tim. 3:5.
Just because religion as such is now news which the secular world prints does not mean that the world is any closer to God. Religion is news in India, and in the Moslem world; it was news in the old pagan Roman Empire; it was news in Jerusalem when they cried, "Away with Him, away with Him." The world has had plenty of religion which was false, and the current trend in Christendom is only hastening on to the time when they shall believe a lie, and God will allow it to be so, for they are rejecting the truth—the Christ of God.
And now, fellow-Christian, let us not be discouraged. Let us seek to walk in holy separation from the world and to hold forth the word of life in whatever sphere we occupy. Let us live Christ before the world, and seek as we may have opportunity to speak a word for Him or to give a good Gospel tract to a weary soul. May we keep a clear perspective of the present trend, and yet press on unobtrusively testifying to the true grace of God.
If the reader happens to be one who has been called to preach the Gospel, then he should do it as of the ability which God gives—"He that hath My Word, let him speak My Word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD.- RT. 23:28. The Lord is your Master. and He takes careful notice of what you do and how you do it. He will not reward you for breaking the rules. It is faithfulness that He values—faithfulness to Him and to His Word. You may have little of what men call success to show for your labors, but in the coming day may He say to you. "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." Matt. 25:21, 23
PAUL WILSON
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