LIBERALISM CREEPS IN
Liberalism doesn’t come in and make an announcement, “I am here! Embrace me!” It doesn’t enter the congregation, place membership and announce, “I am here to change things.” NO! NO! Liberalism creeps in usually unnoticed until the damage is done. “And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage” (Gal. 2:4). Many congregations have been led away because of an idea, an action, and a new way to do things. While we must avoid failing to recognize that societies and cultures change and that there are new ways to do things we must also remember the word of God is specific on what we are to do. Here are some things we need to remember about liberalism.
One is that sometime it is an effort to solve a problem. The singing is not very good so let’s use a praise team. We’ll give some of our good singer’s microphones and that will enhance our singing. What you really have then is a praise team (made up of men and women) leading the singing. Women are not to lead the singing. The Bible teaches us all are to sing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). There may other problems in the congregation and we begin to bring in or use methods that are not authorized by scripture. Keep in mind that some congregations have a praise team or special music to be like their denominational friends.
Second there is an effort to be like denominations so that we may draw more people. Hand clapping, special music and other activities are generated because some brethren feel like we are losing ground to the denominations. Why are churches of Christ having special Christmas services? To be like others? We don’t want to be different from our friends and family. They have a nativity scene at their church building and we don’t want them to think we don’t love Jesus. Our children love to participate in plays so we decide it won’t harm anything if we have a Christmas play besides it teaches the boys and girls about the birth of Christ. The next thing we do is have an Easter Sunrise Service.
Third is that folks just want to do things their way and disregard the Holy Scriptures. These folks haven’t been grounded in the faith. It reminds you of the words of the Apostle Paul when he wrote, “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God” (Rom. 10:3). Remember in the days of the Judges, “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25).
How do you keep liberalism from creeping in? Elders must always be on guard (Acts 20:28). The congregation must be taught and ground in the most holy faith. Never assume the congregation always knows these things. Because the preacher preached on it three years ago doesn’t mean they know. Ground the congregation in the principles of New Testament Christianity.
Larry