Dr. Couch, what more do you know about the Willow Creek apology?
Only what I read, such as a news release for December ’07 in World.
But as I commented before, the thing that pushes my button is that we
who are textual and believe in biblical exegesis from the pulpit were
disturbed a long time ago by what we were seeing in the "Church Growth
Movement" (which means the evolution of the church), and with the
"Seeker Friendly Movement" that argues for almost total accommodation to
whatever people want. But we were like voices in the wilderness! The
"old guys" didn’t know what they were talking about! I heard of one big
mega-church that has for a food court, a MacDonald’s! Also, weight
rooms, squash and tennis courts, etc. Such a church has become a social
and a recreation center. Such amenities have nothing to do with the
proclamation of God’s Word and the proclamation of the gospel!
(Those who are reading the above, if you do not see
a problem, you are already over the hill into modernity and there is
little hope for you! You have been culturally brainwashed!)
In an apology (I guess to the Lord), Bill Hybels of Willow Creek said:
While this "apology" is great, there is more he
should have said, like, there should be teaching, biblical exegesis, so
that the congregation can rightly understand the Word of God.
Michael Horton doubts that Willow Creek or other
churches who have become "mega-churches" can change, or they will empty
the pews as the attendees go on to other entertaining congregations. He
believes it will be "more of the same." Some big church fans argue that
the problem is simply how to find a better way to use modern
technologies. But Horton rightly argues, trying to make technologies
more efficient "doesn’t solve the fundamental problem."
Horton adds, "People are not consumers who need to
be satisfied. They’re sinners who need to be justified. Preaching is
not a technology. It is a means of grace." Horton concluded: "The state
of the church in America today is poor, and it’s a condition that you
can’t blame on Willow Creek alone. It’s increasingly difficult to swim
against the tide of materialism, consumerism, and narcissism in the culture."
At one of the "big" seminaries in the Dallas/Ft.
Worth area, one of the faculty went up to Willow Creek (Mecca) and came
back glowing with praises for all the twists and turns, and the hype. He
indoctrinated the younger students who then went on a crusade in their
churches. The "oldie" stuff (Bible exegesis—verse by verse) was out and
the "newie" stuff (Hollywood entertainment) was in. The tried and true
was buried!
The apostle Peter makes it clear that personal
spiritual growth only comes by the presentation of the Word of God. He
wrote, "Like newborn babes, you should be longing for the pure milk of
the Word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation" (1
Pet. 2:2). Notice, a spiritual thirst must be cultivated to "want to
know" God’s Word! If that is not there, people will settle for, and
substitute exegesis for: hot-rock music, hands in the air, going into
trances and swaying back and forth, skits, plays, and dramas - anything
to take the place of the explanation of Scripture!
Thanks for asking.
Dr. Mal Couch
