Page 440 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

NEW EVANGELICAL

obedience, and the Christian has no liberty under God Jesus Christ . . . we urge all evangelicals to stand openly
to sort out the Scriptures into essentials and and firmly for racial equality, human freedom and all
nonessentials! It is our duty to declare the whole forms of social justice throughout the world.”
counsel of God, and to do it wherever we are. World Vision’s web site states: “In all World Vision
Today we are choosing between two alternatives. A projects, staff are ready to give a reason for their hope
LIMITED MESSAGE OR A LIMITED FELLOWSHIP. If we … whenever appropriate and desired by the community.
preach all of the Bible truths, there are many places
where we will never be invited. If we join hands with In many countries where we work, formal public
the crowds, there will be limiting of the message of the evangelism is forbidden by government policy and we
Bible. Bear this in mind--it is the Baptist who lays aside respect this” (World Vision web site).
the most! It is the fundamental Baptist who makes the Glenda Moore, a nurse who works with the Church
concessions! Think this through and you will find it to of Nazarene, described their efforts assisting earthquake
be true. We believe in believer's baptism. We believe in victims in India in 2001 as follows: “We know it’s not a
separation. We preach eternal security. We believe in Christian area, and we are sensitive NOT to spread the
the imminent coming of Christ. We consider it an act of gospel” (Christianity Today, April 23, 2001).
obedience to reprove unbelief in religious circles. The
Sadducee and the Pharisee are to be labeled. But The Moral Majority and the more recent Faith and
according to a present philosophy we must lay these Values Coalition, founded by Jerry Falwell, are socio-
things aside for the sake of a larger sphere of service. political endeavors that do not include the preaching of
Which is more important, full obedience or a larger the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Falwell and those who have
sphere of service? And yet I do not fully believe these joined hands with him accept that it is perfectly
are the only two alternatives. It is our first duty to be legitimate to try to bring about social-political change in
fully obedient to God in all things, and then to wait America apart from Gospel preaching and church
upon Him for the places of service. It may be that we planting, and in association with Romanists and
will be limited, and it may be that we will not. Charles Judaizers who preach a different gospel.
Haddon Spurgeon did not travel as widely as some
men of his day, but his sermons have traveled as far as What the Bible Says:
the sermons of most men (David Nettleton, “A Limited First, the Lord’s Great Commission mentions nothing
Message or a Limited Fellowship,” GARBC). about social-political action (Mt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15;
10. New Evangelicalism is characterized by exalting Lk. 24:44-48; Jn. 20:21; Acts 1:8). The Great
social-political activity to the same level as the great Commission is preaching the Gospel to every individual
commission. in every nation, baptizing those that believe, and
“THE SUMMONS TO SOCIAL INVOLVEMENT received establishing churches to disciple them.
a hearty response from many evangelicals. … IT HAD Second, we can see how the apostles interpreted Christ’s
A NEW EMPHASIS UPON THE APPLICATION OF THE commission by examining their ministries in Acts and the
GOSPEL TO THE SOCIOLOGICAL, POLITICAL, AND Epistles. There we see that the apostles did not involve
ECONOMIC AREAS OF LIFE.” (Harold Ockenga). themselves in social-political action, but gave
New Evangelicals begin by trying to emphasize themselves exclusively to the preaching of the Gospel
BOTH gospel work and social-political work. (Acts 8:4). The book of Acts is a record of gospel
“Both the gospel and its social implications, BOTH preaching and church planting, and the only social work
personal conversion and social action, are involved in that was carried out was that of taking care of needy
the mission of the church” (David Hubbard, President, believers during a famine (Acts 11:27-30). The apostles
Fuller Seminary, AP, Los Angeles Herald-Examiner, May and early churches did not try to change the moral
15, 1971). character of the Roman Empire through political activity
“…we affirm that evangelism and socio-political or carry on grand social projects. Instead they dedicated
involvement are BOTH part of our Christian their earthly lives to getting at the heart of man’s
duty” (International Congress on World
Evangelization, Lausanne, Switzerland, July 1974). problem, and that is his estrangement from God and his
Over time this BOTH evangelism AND social work need of regeneration.
position tends to deteriorate until the socio-justice- Third, if the churches turn aside to socio-political
political work takes a life of its own and becomes endeavors, the crucial work of the Great Commission is
legitimate even without gospel preaching, and neglected. Unsaved men have established grand social
eventually it crowds out evangelism. endeavors such as the International Red Cross, and have
Consider a statement on social action adopted in founded grand political schemes such as the democratic
1966 by the Evangelical Foreign Missions Association republican form of government; but only the saved can
(an arm of the NAE): “…evangelical social action will preach the gospel of spiritual redemption. For churches
include, WHENEVER POSSIBLE, a verbal witness to to turn aside from the crucial work of the Great

440 Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity