Dr. Couch, you write often about what is happening in churches. We are
amazed at what is taking place at some of our local congregations. Why
have churches gone bonkers?
For further examples I refer to a recent news blurb from The Lamplighter.
One evangelical church advertised a sermon series: “Funky Things
Christians Do.” Actually, this isn’t bad—it should be entitled “Crazy
Things Christians Do.” Other titles: “The Groovy Ghost” (The Holy
Ghost), “The Funky Dunky” (Baptism), and “Daddio’s Dinner” (The Lord’s
Supper).
You can see how sick this is. Thank the Lord all churches are not
going this extreme but enough are to alarm believers that, once we
remove ourselves from solid biblical teaching, Katy Bar the Door! Such
emotional hype is exacerbated by the Charismatic influence, and by the
entertainment garbage that comes into our homes by television. But it is
also happening because of the vacuum created by the lack of scriptural
teaching.
At the best of seminaries our young men coming out are influenced by
what is called The Emerging Church idea, or The 21st Century Church
concept. They believe we must continually be evolving in order to
attract the young yuppy set. (Remember, these are the ones who measure
everything by whether they are “Safe” or not!)
Another element bringing on the departure from truth in our churches
is secular psychology. Almost every evangelical seminary is into this in
their counseling courses. This means: “Self Actualization,” “Self
Fulfillment.” If you hear on television that “You should be able to
fulfill your ‘Dreams,’” this is not an innocent expression. The
commercials that use this idea do not mean what you mean. This is warmed
over Hinduism. The “name it and claim it” idea comes from this. You can
visualize your own reality!
All I can add to this is “Hold on to your seats!” It is going to be a
bumpy ride! Things will continually get worse not better! Finally, Paul
writes:
Thanks for asking.
Dr. Mal Couch
