The Gospel of Warm Fuzzy Feelings

by Jere Frost

Few well-known preachers have made a virtual art of positive sermons and articles, the avoidance of doctrinal controversy, and a broad unity that encompasses and embraces utterly incompatible doctrines. Norman Vincent Peale was such a preacher. Robert Schuler and Billy Graham fit the mold today, and despite or perhaps because of their upbeat message that embraces just about everybody and everything, they are exceedingly popular. Ditto a host of other TV evangelists and virtually every Unitarian preacher. They do not all believe the same thing and are members of different kinds of churches, but they all prefer the warm fuzziest to doctrinal purity. Anything resembling an honorable controversy and contending for the faith is absolutely contrary to their "policy."

These men have not "joined the church" and I use the word "join" accommodatively in its common connotation, and the word "church" to refer to the church of Christ. But alas, it seems that we have some erstwhile gospel preachers who have "joined" them.

Liberals in the church can be just as liberal and wrong as those in denominationalism. For example, there is a popular TV program by the Whites Ferry Road Church of Christ in West Monroe, Louisiana, called CrossView. Well, they have had denominational preachers (including one woman preacher) on as guests, have referred to them as Christian writers not-withstanding such false doctrines such as Calvinistic salvation, premillenialism, rapture theories, and the direct operation of the Holy Spirit. But not a word of confrontation of these false teachers and the doctrines they espouse.

The warm fuzziest are prized more than doctrinal purity. Alas, the spirit of liberalism can affect us. There is nothing denominations teach that some liberal churches of Christ are not now willing to tolerate, if not embrace.

We dare not embrace a philosophy or doctrine just because a church of Christ teaches or promotes it. We should strenuously reject the notion that churches of Christ are right because, well, just because just because that ís what they are churches of Christ. Remember that the church of Christ in Ephesus was in danger of losing its candlestick, i.e., its recognition by the Lord. (Revelation 2:5)

You just cannot safely follow anybody, not even churches of Christ and gospel preachers that have a reputation as "conservative." Some have such a reputation simply because they are on the right side of an issue or two that, to some, epitomize faithfulness. But some with such a reputation also like the warm fuzzies as much as any of those earlier mentioned. What we must do is determine in our own hearts that we must have book, chapter and verse for all that we preach and practice.

The apostles were often in conflict and disputation with false teachers (e.g., see Acts 17:1f). Doctrinal truth was of such importance to them that they openly controverted and discussed it. The Scriptures and apostolic examples were so compelling to them that this was the means and substance by which the disputes were resolved. Paul and Barnabas had disputed in Antioch with those who would bind circumcision; this was the subject of dispute in Jerusalem in which all of the apostles and the elders there took part. (Acts 15)

The warm fuzzies are not worthy to be compared with doctrinal purity and loyalty to the Lord. This is not to disparage unity. The Lord calls on us for unity and love. Unity is precious. But truth is supreme. It makes us free! (John 8:31,32)

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Page last updated: March 03, 2003