Recently in the news the term, “Blue Wave”, refers to one political party sweeping out the other and some applaud, some do not. I don’t pay any attention to these things much for I know that God is in control. But this concept of a group coming into power over another got me thinking about some terrifying trends facing the churches of Christ in our time. There are two groups fighting a battle for your soul, good and evil. The evil is a wave of “Liberalism” and is coming our way, and it’s not just me who sees this, for many elders, and preachers are preparing for its arrival. We all must be made aware of this trend and be ready to stand firm in the faith of God’s word (Rom. 10:17) if we want to win! Remembering the Covenant with David, and Sorrow for Lost Blessings the Psalmist writes, “1I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever; With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations. 2 For I have said, ‘Mercy shall be built up forever; Your faithfulness You shall establish in the very heavens.”” Then in verse 26 says, “He shall cry to Me, ‘You are my Father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.”. The only weapon powerful enough to stop the wave of liberalism is the rock of our salvation, and that rock is Christ, the word of God (John 1:1, 14).
This wave is not water, but people whose desire is to change the church, to bring in new innovations, and to convince God’s people that God’s way isn’t good enough. Their movement is based on spiritual compromise, social activity, and the centralization of the churches. To be prepared for the fight against such means we must do two things, that is search the scripture for truth on the matter and be ready to answer (Acts 17:11; 1 Pet. 3:15).
What are the dangers that result from liberalism? In the definition this becomes clear: To be liberal in spiritual matters is to “not care”, concerning God’s pattern. So, liberalism will not follow the teaching of Christ and the New Testament, but will, and willingly allow any and all unauthorized changes to be made in the church. Let’s never forget 2 John 9-11 “9 Whoever [a]transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.” The church must protect, and preserve the authority of the word in all practice and purpose without change. Jude warns us to “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). Moses warned “You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it…” (Deut. 4:2), and John in Revelation states “to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, [b]God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God[c] shall take away his part from the [d]Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book” (Rev. 22:18-19). Thus, to take the unspiritual path ignoring God’s way means separation from the Lord in eternity.
This “Liberal” attack didn’t start anew in this century, but the battle between conservative brethren and liberal began centuries past. Between 1700-1925, liberal thinkers subverted the authority of God’s word causing the addition of instrumental music in worship, causing the formation of the missionary-society (1799) and in the 1950s, liberalism penetrated the spiritual wall of the churches of Christ with social activities. Why was this a problem? Because in the New Testament, the work of the church was limited by the Lord to benevolence to destitute saints, evangelism, and edification of the saints (1 Tim. 3:15-16; Acts 2:42; 20:7; 2 Cor. 9). In the 50’s churches began to provide “new and innovative” ways to attract people. Social activities such as social meals, parties, and ball games, which evolved into additions to the church building special rooms called “fellowship halls” which were actually kitchens and dining rooms. Today some even build gymnasiums, family life centers, and all for social and recreational purposes. This work apart from the church is fine, but this is not the proper work of the church, which is to meet spiritual needs, not physical. This type of liberalism exchanges the truth of God for the lie and serves only the creature and not the Creator (Rom. 1:25).
The New Testament does not support a “centralized agency of any sort” to support preachers, or missions or have rule in any local church. The New Testament churches each provided support directly to preachers in the field and sent benevolent help directly to destitute churches (Acts 11:27-30; 2 Cor. 11:8; Phil. 4:15-17). Yet again in the 50’s the “sponsoring church” theme provided for many churches to send donations to one large church, that oversaw funding and support for gospel preachers and benevolent help to destitute churches. This constitutes error because a local eldership becomes a board of directors with oversight over the work of many churches. This human plan of many churches under one eldership is liberalism, and reflects attributes found in denominationalism and Catholicism. Think about that!
All this and more simply and tragically leads to spiritual compromise. We must have a spirit of warfare against sin and error, “3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not [a]carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:3-5). The conservative approach exposes false doctrines, false religions, and false teachers as was done in Bible days (Matt. 16:12; 2 Tim. 2:16-18; 1Cor. 5:6; Matt. 5:20). The church must openly fight against worldliness and expose the sinfulness of social drinking, smoking, gambling, immodest dress, profanity, dancing, fornication, adultery, unscriptural divorce and remarriage, “and such like” (Gal. 5:19-21), all which are openly acceptable in the liberal churches. Spiritual compromise also leads to inability to practice discipline or withdrawal from unfaithful members (1 Cor. 5; 2 Thess. 3) a necessary result due to the absence of direct teaching of Bible principles. Compromise means few warnings are given against sin and error and the church becomes spiritually weak which opens the door to false teaching and sinfulness. The churches of Christ are known for their distinctiveness that reflects New Testament Christianity and not modern denominations.
One clear sign that a church embraces a liberal spirit of compromise is that its members become more and more offended and ashamed by gospel preaching which deals directly with sin. This is how the Devil tears down the wall of faith that protects us and puts up a wall between liberal-minded church and the truth of the gospel. Paul warns us via his letters to Timothy, “I charge you [a]therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead [b]at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:1-5.
Make no mistake, the wave of liberalism is coming and with verbosity and our only defense is to put on the “Whole Armor of God” declaring the whole counsel of God. We must gird our waist with truth, put on the breastplate of righteousness, take the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit, “which is the word of God”, pray, and watch with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints, and “speak boldly” the word of the Lord (Eph, 6:10-20; Acts 20:27). This is a spiritual war, get ready to avoid liberalism in every form and “fight the good fight of faith” against every form of sin and error (1Tim. 6:12).
God Bless you
In Love
Dave Scarpino