Monday, August 07, 2006

Wasteland

"The fundamental problem in the evangelical world today is not inadequate technique, insufficient organization, or antiquated music, and those who want to squander the church's resources bandaging these scratches will do nothing to stanch the flow of blood that is spilling from its true wounds. The fundamental problem in the evangelical world today is that God rests too inconsequentially upon the church. His truth is too distant, his grace is too ordinary, his judgment too benign, his gospel too easy, and his Christ too common." David Wells, God in the Wasteland, p. 30

2 comments:

Matthew Woodside said...

Let's look at the phrase, "too inconsequentially on the church."

In simple terms it means that God's glory is thought of lightly by the church. the preacher and the congregation both minmize their sin (both before and after salvation). This results in a distorted, even idolatrous picture, of God's character. Men like Wells, Piper, MacArthur, Packer, and others of their persuasion are some of the lonely voices really decrying sin, from a true biblical viewpoint. Sin cannot be just viewed as open actions, but sin has to be seen as inward intents, lying lips, coveting eyes and haughty spirits. These are things that only the church where God's consequences rest stongly will be sensitive to see and repent from them. These are the things each believer's life must constantly be examined for.

Anthony said...

Clif,
I am not commenting only using this medium to say hello.
I haven't heard from you in some time. I would love to talk sometime.
Shoot me an email
Anthony