I believe one of, if not the greatest enemy to the Gospel of Jesus Christ is MORALITY.
If we can be truly good without God, why would we need Him? If bring good earns us God’s approval, why did we need Jesus? Is there any more prevalent misunderstanding of Christianity that “be a good person?”
Your turn. The greatest enemy of the gospel in our culture is_______?
#1 by Jay Winters on May 27, 2009 - 9:14 am
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Absolutely,
I just blogged about this yesterday – http://jwinters.tumblr.com/post/113247112/sin-can-make-you-moral
in Christ,
jW
Jay Winters´s last blog post..May 27: 2 Samuel 10-11, Psalm 119:137-144, Colossians 1-2
#2 by David D'Louhy on May 27, 2009 - 9:35 am
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I don’t want to make a blanket statement to say that it is the greatest enemy, but a big one in my opinion is division in the church. So much of what churches do is separate from every other church. If we disagree with our church we get up and leave. It is much like politics. If we disagree with something a person says or does we throw them under the bus. If every Christian in one town could agree to see their city changed it would be done. However, many people won’t go along with that because they don’t like the church down the street.
I also agree with you on morality and if I could add a third one it would be unbelief. If Christians actually believed what the Bible says with childlike faith the world could be transformed so quickly. Recently I heard a statistic that in the year 2000, there were 6 million Muslims per year converting to Christianity in Africa. In that same report (by a Muslim tv station) they said that there were only 7 million Muslims in the US. In Africa, Christians boldly proclaim the gospel in the bush where they release miracles, multiply food, and raise the dead. In America, Christians hide in their homes and wonder why the world is so evil.
#3 by Adam Mabry on May 27, 2009 - 10:15 am
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The greatest enemy of the gospel is the self.
The gospel is about God. It propels the self out.
Self exaltation was the first problem, and still remains the biggest problem.
Adam Mabry´s last blog post..Book Review: Simple Church
#4 by Clayton Bell on May 27, 2009 - 11:31 am
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@adam- You’re right, but I was more trying to create a conversation around the worldviews/life philosophies that are prominently substituting themselves for the genuine gospel in our time and culture.
#5 by Joel Hansen on May 27, 2009 - 1:17 pm
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I definitely agree with you, Dave and Adam. I think a huge one is comfort. Not that we shouldn’t be prosperous and secure in Christ, but the pleasures and comforts of the world can sometimes disguise themselves as “God’s blessings.” We should be loving others, giving away things, not creating our own little kingdoms on earth.
Joel Hansen´s last blog post..Love is the Commandment
#6 by Christopher Gilliam on May 27, 2009 - 7:39 pm
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Probably a cousin to morality, success. Perhaps the triuphalism of westernism overshadows the true triump of the cross, which to Adam’s point indeed exalts self. So I vote for success! BTW- I wrote about success last week and it might intrigue you to know the word is not used in the NT. http://fishformen.blogspot.com/
#7 by Ross Brannon on May 27, 2009 - 9:45 pm
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RELIGION
#8 by Clayton Bell on May 27, 2009 - 9:49 pm
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Ross, can you expand? I think I know what you mean, but since it’s sometimes a positive word, can you explain what’s so bad about “religion” in the pejorative sense?
#9 by pete wilson on May 27, 2009 - 10:42 pm
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Bring it!!!
#10 by Nick on May 27, 2009 - 10:43 pm
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I guess its similar to morality but an enemy to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our culture is political correctness… what I mean by political correctness is the desire to not offend anyone. I know sometimes Gods church can take it to the other extreme as well, but I think that an important part of the Gospel is sin but sometimes I am afraid to tell people they have sinned because it will offend them.
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