“Individualism” and modern evangelism

[Carbon]

Has modernism affected Christianity? How about evangelism? Individualism been an effect?
Let’s have a look,


But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matt 28:16-20.

After reading this passage in Mathew, considering all history who is Jesus addressing? Has modernism distorted or changed the meaning? If so, how?

Consider 2 Corinthians 5:20-21

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Who are the ambassadors? And who are to be reconciled to God?

 

[Carbon]

Consider this passage:

I solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and instruction.
For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, and they will turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
But as for you, use self-restraint in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
2 Timothy 4:1-5.

We know who Paul writes to, Pastor Timothy, but how does the Christian world comprehend this? Is this the church being exhorted? Is the Christian church being strongly encouraged to do what Paul says in this passage?

 

[makesends]

Consider this passage:

I solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and instruction.
For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, and they will turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
But as for you, use self-restraint in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
2 Timothy 4:1-5.

We know who Paul writes to, Pastor Timothy, but how does the Christian world comprehend this? Is this the church being exhorted? Is the Christian church being strongly encouraged to do what Paul says in this passage?

I suppose it depends on what you mean by modernism. Certainly the shift in thinking a focus of attention and many other things have affected our worldview and assumptions. Even in my lifetime I've seen the shift from absolutes to relativism, to the point that the same words don't have the same meanings as they used to. Even before I was born, words had gone from "meaning" to "connotation", so that for the same word —for example, "God", in one context I had more in common with a Muslim than with the Christians around me, because he saw, 'absolute causer', while they saw, 'kindly grandfather in the clouds'.

 

[Carbon]

I suppose it depends on what you mean by modernism. Certainly the shift in thinking a focus of attention and many other things have affected our worldview and assumptions. Even in my lifetime I've seen the shift from absolutes to relativism, to the point that the same words don't have the same meanings as they used to. Even before I was born, words had gone from "meaning" to "connotation", so that for the same word —for example, "God", in one context I had more in common with a Muslim than with the Christians around me, because he saw, 'absolute causer', while they saw, 'kindly grandfather in the clouds'.

I mean more in the sense that the church actually interpreted and understood the scriptures differently in the first 1500 years. Over the last 500 years, it's been quite different.
One quick example, the first 1500 years (well, the early years for sure) The church was concerned with correct doctrine and feeding the sheep real spiritual food and growing them strong. What is perhaps the most important thing in our modern times? Even thinking about the last few hundred years. It's growing the church, isnt it? Sermons are built around it, and scripture is changed and taught in error because of it.

 

[makesends]

I mean more in the sense that the church actually interpreted and understood the scriptures differently in the first 1500 years. Over the last 500 years, it's been quite different.
One quick example, the first 1500 years (well, the early years for sure) The church was concerned with correct doctrine and feeding the sheep real spiritual food and growing them strong. What is perhaps the most important thing in our modern times? Even thinking about the last few hundred years. It's growing the church, isnt it? Sermons are built around it, and scripture is changed and taught in error because of it.

Yes, indeed. Growth has taken backseat to Evangelism, and evangelism (little e), meaning only, emotional decision-making. I'm not hyperbolizing much there, either. "God" means whatever you need it to mean, and, by the way, he loves you unconditionally and is waiting for you with open arms and a smile on his face.

 

[Carbon]

Yes, indeed. Growth has taken backseat to Evangelism, and evangelism (little e), meaning only, emotional decision-making. I'm not hyperbolizing much there, either. "God" means whatever you need it to mean, and, by the way, he loves you unconditionally and is waiting for you with open arms and a smile on his face.

Yes, sadly, it has. Thats the big concern today, numbers. Many congregations would only be known as Christian because they proclaim they are. As far as maturity and doctrine? That's a problem.

 

[Carbon]

Much of the New Testament, especially those known as the "Pastoral Epistles" (1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus), was written directly to church leaders rather than to general congregations and individual Christians. These letters focus on church organization, qualifications for elders and deacons, and instructions for managing doctrine.

For example:
I solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and instruction.
For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, and they will turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
But as for you, use self-restraint in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
2 Timothy 4:1-5.

In this passage, who else but pastors (elders) are encouraged and charged to preach? Or, be ready (prepare) in and out of season.
How many people (individuals) run around rebuking and correcting everyone? And they lack patience and instruction. Not that we as individual Christians shouldn't be ready to speak up when needed. But Christ put his church together for a reason.

 

[makesends]

Yes, sadly, it has. Thats the big concern today, numbers. Many congregations would only be known as Christian because they proclaim they are. As far as maturity and doctrine? That's a problem.

Much of the New Testament, especially those known as the "Pastoral Epistles" (1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus), was written directly to church leaders rather than to general congregations and individual Christians. These letters focus on church organization, qualifications for elders and deacons, and instructions for managing doctrine.

For example:
I solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and instruction.
For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, and they will turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
But as for you, use self-restraint in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
2 Timothy 4:1-5.

In this passage, who else but pastors (elders) are encouraged and charged to preach? Or, be ready (prepare) in and out of season.
How many people (individuals) run around rebuking and correcting everyone? And they lack patience and instruction. Not that we as individual Christians shouldn't be ready to speak up when needed. But Christ put his church together for a reason.

Anyhow, your OP speaks of 'Individualism'. In what sense were you thinking when you went there? Why were you thinking of that? Versus, perhaps, corporate Christianity, or something else?

 

[Carbon]

Anyhow, your OP speaks of 'Individualism'. In what sense were you thinking when you went there? Why were you thinking of that? Versus, perhaps, corporate Christianity, or something else?

Yes I’ll try to explain more tomorrow.

 

[makesends]

Yes I’ll try to explain more tomorrow.

Not to pursue a tangent, but (I can't help it ), what are you referring to here? What is that reason? Or why that last sentence?



"In this passage, who else but pastors (elders) are encouraged and charged to preach? Or, be ready (prepare) in and out of season.

"How many people (individuals) run around rebuking and correcting everyone? And they lack patience and instruction. Not that we as individual Christians shouldn't be ready to speak up when needed. But Christ put his church together for a reason."


Does that reason have to do with the sentences before that last one, that the Church together—corporate, 'one body'—denies the sort of individuality insisted on by modern thinking?

 

[Carbon]

Anyhow, your OP speaks of 'Individualism'. In what sense were you thinking when you went there? Why were you thinking of that? Versus, perhaps, corporate Christianity, or something else?

Hey brother, sorry it took so long to give a reply to you.

Well there is a few reasons for it. I have been thinking about the condition of the church in general for the past several hundred years for some time now. Not only is the prosperity gospel rampant today, but the church is very weak compared to how it is supposed to be and how Jesus and the apostles planted and built.
For example
I solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and instruction.
For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, and they will turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
But as for you, use self-restraint in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
2 Timothy 4:1-5.

A couple of things here:
One, this is written to pastors, not "individual" Christians, even though, of course, we all individually should be in the word to be ready at all times to rebuke and correct when necessary. But Timothy is instructed here, not his individual church members. Often, Christians feel it is their job to be out there rebuking, correcting, and instructing, and oftentimes their own doctrine is'nt so good.
Many even think it's their job to be out there evangelizing, collecting souls for the kingdom, and increasing church members. But notice in scripture the evangelist is an office, just like a pastor or a teacher. What do many also do when they proclaim the gospel out in the fields? They have the person recite the sinner's prayer. Which, I might add, is not taught in scripture.
Do you see any individualism in any of this? I see a great amount.

Or, how bout:
2 Corinthians 5:20-21

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

If I were to ask 100 people, who are the ambassadors for Christ? Just about everyone would say, "We are."
Then ask, what about in 2 Corinthians 5:20? Who are the ambassadors there? They would say the same.
Also, many believe that those in here who are told, "be reconciled to God," are the lost. But that is not the case. These are Christians whom Paul is addressing

But study these, Paul is talking to the apostles, not individual Christians.

Continued . . .

 

[Carbon]

Anyhow, your OP speaks of 'Individualism'. In what sense were you thinking when you went there? Why were you thinking of that? Versus, perhaps, corporate Christianity, or something else?

Scripture teaches that authority is vested in the church body, and its elders and teachers, who are called to guide, govern, and continue with sound biblical doctrine rather than it being a matter of individual autonomy.

And we have a mess, Houston!

Have you ever seen someone bring someone to church and find out this person was just saved a day or a few days ago, they said the sinner's prayer, of course. This person who brought him or her had another date to add to their bible of when they led someone to Christ and got them saved. (So, any individualism yet?) And what do the pastor and elders do? Well, nothing besides praise God.
Where is the guiding of the church in correct doctrine, well sure, the pastor, if asked, may not agree with all the ways this person got that person saved, but hey, people are all different and may have some different ways, but hey, it's effective, the church is growing. Were individuals afterall.

And many of these people are told how much God loves them, how everything is okay

The fact of the matter is, Christianity is less about measuring ourselves against God's holy will and more about helping make good people better through good advice.
I agree with R. C. Sproul when he said, "As far as I am concerned, the greatest issue facing the Christian church as we move into the twenty-first century is the character of God. Unless we recommit ourselves to understand who God is and what He is like, nothing else in the Bible will make sense. Apart from understanding God's justice, wrath, mercy, and holiness, there is no way we can understand the gospel. The cross will make no sense to us if we do not understand why God's character required it."
As Christians, we truly do need to guard our hearts, as Calvin rightly said, "the human heart is an idol factory."

It is a true statement that we can not understand grace and the gospel until we understand sin.

It really is not alright if people who call themselves Christians are running around preaching God's word, how they think it should be preached, telling everyone they meet that God loves them, and preaching through them therapeutically, with self-help junk and such. (Any individualism yet?) And it is not okay for these pastors to accept their people to do such stuff. They need to heed,
I solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and instruction.
For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, and they will turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
But as for you, use self-restraint in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
2 Timothy 4:1-5.


Paul writes to Timothy, a pastor, about how he should behave and conduct himself in the "household of God."
if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 1 Timothy 3:15.
Paul gave the church the responsibility to protect the gospel.

God gave authority to the church leadership (the church/elders), to maintain order and doctrinal truth Tim 3:15.

 

[Carbon]

Anyhow, your OP speaks of 'Individualism'. In what sense were you thinking when you went there? Why were you thinking of that? Versus, perhaps, corporate Christianity, or something else?

Also, I mentioned the last perhaps 500 years, this individualism is very noticeable.

Consider this comparison:

The message of the bible and the Puritans is that the law has an evangelistic use. Let man try to obey the lawfor salvation. At first, he will think he can do it. Then he will learn that he cannot possibly be as holy as the law demands. Weilded by the Spirit, the law condemns him, pronounces a curse upon him, and declares him liable to the wrath of God and the torments of hell (Gal 3:10). Finally, he will come to the desperate realization that only God can save him by changing his heart and giving him a new nature. The Spirit brings him to the end of the law, Christ Jesus, as the only righteousness acceptable to God, So that the law is become our tutor to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Gal 3:24. Sinners who experience both this necessity and imposibility cry out in anguish for God to do for them what they cannot do for themselves. In this way, sinners have room made in them to receive the rich proclamation and application of the gospel; the Spirit of God then enables them to embrace Christ by faith.

Modern evangelism differs from this in how it persuades men to embrace the gospel. Modern evangelists do not believe that the necessity of holiness is a suitable subject for the unconverted, so they do not present the gospel as a divine remedy for corrupt and impotent sinners. Puritans, by contrast, believed that the best news in the world for sinners who are truly convicted of sin is that deliverance from the power of sin is possible through faith in Christ. Such sinners need more than forgiveness or pardon; they want sin to be put to death in themselves forever. They want to live for the glory of God. They want to be holy as God is holy. They want to be conformed to the character of the Father, the image of the Son, and the mind of the Spirit.

Modern evangelism has lost sight of that motive. Holiness is treated as something separate from salvation. Thus, the message that seeks to convince people to embrace Christ is generally an appeal to self-interest. It offers forgiveness with the assurance of heaven and the kind of happiness and satisfaction that is found in Christ, without mentioning fruits of sanctification such as self-denying humility and unconditional obedience. Thankfully, under such defective preaching (by the mercy of God) some people are saved.

 

[Carbon]

Anyhow, your OP speaks of 'Individualism'. In what sense were you thinking when you went there? Why were you thinking of that? Versus, perhaps, corporate Christianity, or something else?

I hope what I posted explains it.

I'll leave you with this also.

I just googled this: Individualism in the church today

Individualism has heavily influenced the modern church, shifting focus from communal worship and corporate mission to personal, subjective experiences of faith. This "expressive individualism" often turns worship into self-expression, reduces faith to a private relationship with God, and causes members to attend based on personal needs rather than covenantal commitment.