The Gospel IS Relevant
Much of last weekend's conference was centered on how churches are to reach the postmodern world without compromising the Gospel. In other words, how do we preach Jesus in a relevant way to modern folk while remaining completely faithful to the Word?
I have studied this rather significantly over recent years, this conversation has permeated almost every conference I have attended, every book I have read, and most gatherings of colleagues that serve the church. It is the issue of our day. It is of paramount importance that it be addressed in such a way that honors God. I am absolutely obliged to the preeminence of Christ and His Gospel. I am also convinced that we must be relevant to be heard and connect the Gospel to the people for whom the Gospel exists.
One thing concerns me than any other in this discussion. There are many that seem to state that we must 'do' something to the Gospel to make it relevant. I simply disagree with this premise. I am firmly convinced that the Gospel IS relevant. The church has raped the Gospel and made into a self-made religion which has resulted in a disgusting infection of legalism. The Gospel IS relevant, we do not need to tune it up or dumb it down. The Gospel IS relevant.
Do we need to contextualize the Gospel so that they will hear and know? Yes, but cautiously and with great care and wisdom. The Gospel is made relevant and is contextualized most often and most efficiently by the power of the Holy Spirit working in the life of the person to bring them to faith. How arrogant some have become to think that they can do this supernatural work by attempting to manufacture the wonder working power of God!
Now, I do believe we are to be 'all things to all people, so that by all means, some are won" (1 Cor. 9:22).
Contextualization means, quite simply, communicating the Gospel in understandable terms appropriate to the audience. All Christian communication should be contextualized. The preaching and teaching of the Word must always be presented in clear, concise ways and a context that connects and generates understanding. The concept of contextualization applies equally whomever we are communicating with. It is essential that we have appropriate strategies to preach the Gospel, and to understand the interests, needs and worldview of those we are trying to communicate with. It would be crazy to go to the Middle East and try to preach using Western culture and worldview.
Right contextualization simply changes with the hearer, so that the hearer can understand. But this is to be done with doctrine being valued over relevance. Can being relevant be taken too far and become heresy? Yes it can, and that is happening on an increasingly disturbing level. There are some evangelicals that are not teaching some doctrine, they change doctrine to suit their interests. Perhaps even more frightening, other evangelicals are hiding doctrine. For instance, they don't preach the doctrine of a penal substitutionary death on the cross, they don't preach the doctrine of an eternal hell where sin is stored for eternity. This is simply heresy and wrong.
This takes contextualization so far that is compromises the Gospel, this is unacceptable and indeed sin itself. Though uncomfortable and messy, the necessary punishment of sin on the cross and the reality of hell are Biblical doctrine and cannot be hidden. Repentance cannot occur if they do not understand their state of sin and separation.
As for me, I have the heavy responsibility of preaching the Word in a way that glorifies God, exalts the Saviour and connects with a multi generational, muti cultural audience. Only the Holy Spirit can do this effectively. Yes, a million times yes, we must be faithful to the Word and culturally engaging at the same time. But remember, the Gospel is already relevant and contextualized and we must simply be faithful in presenting as it as Truth and transformational! It is greatly liberating to me that God has promised to build His church, send the Holy Spirit and provide power to the Gospel, I just need to get out of the way.
I have studied this rather significantly over recent years, this conversation has permeated almost every conference I have attended, every book I have read, and most gatherings of colleagues that serve the church. It is the issue of our day. It is of paramount importance that it be addressed in such a way that honors God. I am absolutely obliged to the preeminence of Christ and His Gospel. I am also convinced that we must be relevant to be heard and connect the Gospel to the people for whom the Gospel exists.
One thing concerns me than any other in this discussion. There are many that seem to state that we must 'do' something to the Gospel to make it relevant. I simply disagree with this premise. I am firmly convinced that the Gospel IS relevant. The church has raped the Gospel and made into a self-made religion which has resulted in a disgusting infection of legalism. The Gospel IS relevant, we do not need to tune it up or dumb it down. The Gospel IS relevant.
Do we need to contextualize the Gospel so that they will hear and know? Yes, but cautiously and with great care and wisdom. The Gospel is made relevant and is contextualized most often and most efficiently by the power of the Holy Spirit working in the life of the person to bring them to faith. How arrogant some have become to think that they can do this supernatural work by attempting to manufacture the wonder working power of God!
Now, I do believe we are to be 'all things to all people, so that by all means, some are won" (1 Cor. 9:22).
Contextualization means, quite simply, communicating the Gospel in understandable terms appropriate to the audience. All Christian communication should be contextualized. The preaching and teaching of the Word must always be presented in clear, concise ways and a context that connects and generates understanding. The concept of contextualization applies equally whomever we are communicating with. It is essential that we have appropriate strategies to preach the Gospel, and to understand the interests, needs and worldview of those we are trying to communicate with. It would be crazy to go to the Middle East and try to preach using Western culture and worldview.
Right contextualization simply changes with the hearer, so that the hearer can understand. But this is to be done with doctrine being valued over relevance. Can being relevant be taken too far and become heresy? Yes it can, and that is happening on an increasingly disturbing level. There are some evangelicals that are not teaching some doctrine, they change doctrine to suit their interests. Perhaps even more frightening, other evangelicals are hiding doctrine. For instance, they don't preach the doctrine of a penal substitutionary death on the cross, they don't preach the doctrine of an eternal hell where sin is stored for eternity. This is simply heresy and wrong.
This takes contextualization so far that is compromises the Gospel, this is unacceptable and indeed sin itself. Though uncomfortable and messy, the necessary punishment of sin on the cross and the reality of hell are Biblical doctrine and cannot be hidden. Repentance cannot occur if they do not understand their state of sin and separation.
As for me, I have the heavy responsibility of preaching the Word in a way that glorifies God, exalts the Saviour and connects with a multi generational, muti cultural audience. Only the Holy Spirit can do this effectively. Yes, a million times yes, we must be faithful to the Word and culturally engaging at the same time. But remember, the Gospel is already relevant and contextualized and we must simply be faithful in presenting as it as Truth and transformational! It is greatly liberating to me that God has promised to build His church, send the Holy Spirit and provide power to the Gospel, I just need to get out of the way.
