We are combining two chapters this week since we skipped it entirely last week. It will be for chapters six and seven. If you are just beginning this book study of “This Little Church Went To Market” with us, you are welcome to begin the series here. To purchase your copy, you can buy one on Amazon (paperback and kindle – affiliate link) or on Dr. Gilley’s website here.
Chapter 6: A Church With the Wrong Message
Dr. Gilley summarizes in this chapter what the message is that the new-paradigm churches are sending to unchurched Harry. While these churches would state they believe the gospel as presented in the New Testament, somehow it is getting mixed up and not sounding like the New Testament gospel to Harry.
Instead:
Harry is being told that if he will come to Christ, Christ will meet all of his felt needs and that will lead to personal fulfillment. Harry is then being asked to trust in Christ, the great “Needs-Meeter”, who will end his search for a life of happiness and fulfillment. (ch. 6)
What we supposedly learn from marketing study is that the real reason Harry doesn’t come to church has little to do with his rebellious, God-rejecting nature. Rather it is because church is boring, predictable, irrelevant, money hungry, and does not meet his needs. (ch. 6)
Is the good news that Christ died for our sins in order to free us from the wrath of God and give us the righteousness of Christ; or is the good news that Christ died in order that we might feel better about ourselves and have our felt needs met?
These are two separate gospels. (ch. 6)
G.A. Pritchards, who spent a year studying Bill Hybels and the ministry at Willow Creek Church, came away with a different conclusion than Bill’s philosphy of personal fulfillment being the most pressing need of the unsaved. Pritchards said this:
Is Willow Creek correct in their teaching that a relationship with Christ will provide a life of fulfillment? In a word, no . . . The Lord did not promise fulfillment, or even relief, in this world, but only in the next . . . Fulfillment is not a spiritual birthright of Christians. The goal of a Christian’s life is faithfulness, not fulfillment. (ch. 6)
And I say amen.
Chapter 7: A Church Focused On The Wrong Need
In this chapter, Dr. Gilley shows us how the world has shaped the way the church and Christians operate – and many times they can’t even see it. One of the ways the church has let the world influence her is by entertainment. And this ties in with what church leaders claim is the most pressing need of unchurched Harry – that of personal fulfillment.
Entertainment is but one of the avenues traveled in search of fulfillment, or happiness. It should not surprise us to discover that such a society has remade the church in its own image. (ch. 7)
Surveys consistently show that baby boomers – whether evangelical or liberal, Protestant or Catholic – attend church not out of loyalty, duty, obligation, or gratitude, but only if it meets their needs. (ch. 7)
Dr. Gilley points out his concern with the growing fad to “experience God” and how it is unbiblical. He uses I Cor. 6:19 and Heb. 4:16 to show us how, as New Testament believers in-dwelt with the Holy Spirit, we are already in His presence and are also told to ‘draw near with confidence to the throne of grace’. But to actively seek an experience in which we “feel” the presence of God is not a command found in Scripture.
And this dangerous illusion of “experiencing God” is often how people choose their churches.
After a lifetime of studying religious people and their experiences, {William} James offers this damning assessment, ‘So long as men can use their God, they care very little who he is, or even whether he is at all . . . God is not known, he is not understood, he is used. (ch. 7)
That this is rapidly becoming the status quo in evangelicalism is evident by the number of Christians who now choose a church on the basis of musical styles and other superficial features, rather than on the ground of whether truth is being taught and God is being honored. (ch. 7)
- The Adventum CD Collection – Sale Now - March 27, 2021
- Alternative To Facebook Option - January 30, 2021
- The Beauty of the Hoary Head - January 2, 2021
Betsy says
Each week when I read your review of this book it convinces me that it is a book we need to read. My husband is an Elder in the church and we see these philosophies and ideas constantly in battle.
Blessings,
Betsy
Kendra says
I highly recommend it! It’s one I’ve been enjoying this winter.
Sandra Miller says
Thank-you for sharing these insights. The warning is long overdue. God bless.