Extreme Christianity

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Details: Written by Matthew Green

Don't settle for communicating a domesticated version of the gospel.
Although perhaps beautiful to look at, there are fewer sights more pitiful than a caged tiger or an eagle with its wings clipped.

Likewise, a domesticated gospel serves little more purpose than a relic to be observed. How is the gospel being domesticated? you ask. Consider these factors:

a growing familiarity with the evangelical subculture as defined through television, music and movies

a pluralistic climate that blurs the lines of distinction between Christianity and its false counterparts in Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism

an increasing resistance toward any expression of faith that would be perceived as offensive or intolerant of other beliefs.

These emerging trends threaten to rub the rough edges off the divisive (but life-giving) message that should be the core of our ministries.

In an effort to make the gospel more palatable, some of us have avoided topics such as sin, hell and the second coming, downplaying the controversial and mysterious nature of the God we serve.

In this issue of Ministries Today, we address several of these difficult topics in hopes that you will be challenged to persevere in presenting an authentic--and relevant--gospel in an increasingly hostile environment:

Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron ("Afflicting the Comfortable," p. 18) are two examples of people who are doing just that. When they hit the streets with a handful of tracts and a pocketful of chutzpa, neither fit the mold of a stereotypical evangelist. In fact, their day-to-day contact with unbelievers has given them an easy familiarity that makes witnessing seem natural--whether in Times Square or at a rock-'n'-roll festival.

Ken Walker's exploration of "What America Believes About Hell" (p. 28) indicates a confusion in convictions about eternal punishment: Many (non-Christians included) believe in a literal hell, but most are convinced that it is not their final destination.

In his "Conversation" (p. 44) with R.T. Kendall, Oral Roberts contends that the second coming of Christ is more imminent than ever and that teaching on this topic must return as the centerpiece of the pulpit. For Roberts, it is the amazing love of God demonstrated on the cross that should motivate this revived emphasis.

You on the frontlines of ministry are in our prayers--that God will strengthen and empower you for another year of Spirit-led service in His kingdom.

When you're tempted to adopt a safer, domesticated Christianity, may you choose a more extreme--and biblical--version of the gospel. And may you always experience a little healthy discomfort as you keep sight of a fiery hell, a bloody cross and the One "who was, and is and is coming" (Rev. 4:8, CEV).

Matthew Green is managing editor of Ministries Today. He invites your comments and questions at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

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Comments

-2 #4 David Lanier 2010-12-20 07:06

I have seen Jesus, I have been to Heaven, I have seen into Heaven. Read the testimony share site entry: go to Google and type in "I have seen our Lord Christ Jesus", then advance search the exact words: "I have seen our Lord Christ Jesus." Go to the testimony share site and scroll down about 7.5 inches and read on the left hand side, thanks, David.

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+2 #3 Lance 2010-11-29 15:40

With all due respect, there is only one issue of "Extreme Christianity" that we should focus on, and it is holiness. The Bible has always said that "without holiness, no one will see the Lord." The church is so unholy and grieves the Holy Spirit with compromise after compromise, it is no wonder that "handing out tracts" (which many of us did back in the 70's) is now viewed as "extreme". We have "worship" singers who wouldn't know what "worship" was if they didn't have a guitar with them. Until we can spend hour after hour in fervent prayer (without falling asleep after 5 minutes like the disciples did when Jesus was in Gethsemane) we will never be on the road to holiness. The state of the church has and will always be measured in hours spent before the Lord. Holiness only comes as we are in the "Holy of Holies". The 2nd coming shouldn't be an issue more than a "first coming" of church wide holiness in every area of our lives.

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+1 #2 Damon 2010-11-10 15:02

whether we are speaking of Christ, the apostle, or the prophets, the message never has been comfortable. Christ shows the most skill in presentation, but none the less the message was abrasive and made many of His listeners very uncomfortable.

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+5 #1 ericknac 2010-10-26 16:33

Ministry Today often has such great articles, I wish I could agree with this one. Extreme Christianity to me would be a real "love your neighbor as yourself " Christianity that refused to be distracted by Glenn Beck or Rush Limbaugh...refusing to let people like Pat Robertson say we should "take out" Hugo Chavez...refusing to meld Christianity with patriotism so that any attack against a Muslim nation could be justified...

Extreme Christianity would be Christianity where the Parable of the Good Samaritan is understood...Christianity where correct practice is esteemed more than correct doctrine...

Extreme Christianity would be Christianity that truly believes "where your treasure is there your heart will be also." And practices it...

Hell is real...but messed up belief about things like that are far from our main problem.http://www.ministrytod aymag.com/components/com_jcomm ents/images/smiles/cry.gif

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