The Seeker-Sensitive Problem
I have been reading numerous blogs and forums in the past month and the most common discussion has been on the purpose driven movement. I concur that it is truly a problem and a dismantling of the Gospel. We as Christians need to “Think it over, discuss it, and speak up” (Judges 19:30)!
The problem with those who are trying to be seeker-sensitive is that their message disregards repentance, the Lordship of Christ, and the work of the Spirit. Their emphasis is usually on what God can do for you in this life. “If you are in pain, come to Jesus. If you are feeling lonely and depressed, come to Jesus. If you have no friends, come to Jesus. If your rent is due and you have no money, come to Jesus.” This is the extent of the message. But the true message should be “If you realize that you are a sinner and the wrath of God is upon you, repent and believe!” If we preach that Jesus is a savior, we need to preach from what we are being saved. It is not the cares of the world, but our sickness caused by sin.
Besides repentance, the Lordship of Christ is not emphasized as well. The Lordship of Christ became a controversial issue some years back after the publication of John MacArthur’s book The Gospel According to Jesus. I don’t see why it is such a controversy since the Scriptures speak of Him being Lord.
Luke 5:12
While He was in one of the towns, a man was there who had a serious skin disease all over him. He saw Jesus, fell facedown, and begged Him: “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.
Luke 6:46
Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things I say?
John 20:28
Thomas responded to Him, “My Lord and my God!”
Acts 2:36
Therefore let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah!
Romans 10:9
if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
“If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord?’” Hmmm, sounds like Lordship salvation to me. You cannot separate the work Christ accomplished through the cross from His Lordship. For this is why the grave could not keep Him. He is Lord over all.
Lastly, the seeker-sensitive movement neglects the power of the Spirit. No one knows from where He comes and to where He goes. The moving of the Spirit cannot be manipulated by men. He is God and He does what He wills. Creating new evangelistic techniques cannot manipulate a goat into becoming a sheep. They must already be sheep and be part of the fold. That is why Christ stated, “But you don’t believe because you are not my sheep” (John 10:26). If they are not chosen before the foundation of the world, there is no amount of manipulation and parlor tricks you can do to get a goat into the Kingdom of God.
