Puritan Evangelism Compared to Modern Evangelism

[Carbon]

The message of the bible and the Puritans is that the law has an evangelistic use. Let man try to obey the law for salvation. At first, he will think he can do it. Then he will learn that it isn't possible to be as holy as the law demands. Weilded by the Spirit, the law condemns him, pronounces a curse on him, and declares him liable to the wrath of God and the torments of hell. For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” Gal 3:10. Finally, he will come to the desperate realization that only God can save him by giving him a new heart and giving him a new nature. The Holy Spirit brings him to the end of the law, Christ Jesus, as the only righteousness acceptable with God. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order 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.

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.

 

[ElectedbyHim]

The message of the bible and the Puritans is that the law has an evangelistic use. Let man try to obey the law for salvation. At first, he will think he can do it. Then he will learn that it isn't possible to be as holy as the law demands. Weilded by the Spirit, the law condemns him, pronounces a curse on him, and declares him liable to the wrath of God and the torments of hell. For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” Gal 3:10. Finally, he will come to the desperate realization that only God can save him by giving him a new heart and giving him a new nature. The Holy Spirit brings him to the end of the law, Christ Jesus, as the only righteousness acceptable with God. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order 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.

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.

Agreed.

The Puritans had conviction and boldness in Christ.

Mortification of sin comes to mind.

Thus, the message that seeks to convince people to embrace Christ is generally an appeal to self-interest.

That is the opposite of what our Savior said.

Luke 9:23 And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.

 

[CrowCross]

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.

Do you apply that to your life?

Is holiness the same as sanctification?