CONTEMPORARY CHURCHES
By: Chuck Baldwin

For this is a rebellious people, false sons, Sons who refuse to listen to the instruction of the LORD; Who say to the seers, "You must not see visions"; And to the prophets, "You must not prophesy to us what is right, Speak to us pleasant words, Prophesy illusions. "Get out of the way, turn aside from the path, Let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel." Isaiah 30:9-11

We often hear pastors, radio preachers, and televangelists refer to the great prophets and Apostles of the Bible. Rightly, these Bible characters are lauded as examples for today's Christians. The problem is, hardly any of those giants of history would be welcome in America's churches today!

On the whole, America's Christians today do not want to hear the truth. They want a place where they can be made to feel good, where they can be entertained, where they can socialize and make business contacts, and where their children can have a place to play and be with their friends. Comparing the preaching and philosophy of most churches today to that of Bible characters will quickly reveal how unbiblical our churches have become.

Can you imagine how the average church in America today would react to the decisions of Daniel and the three Hebrew children? All four of them were unashamed and unhesitant to practice civil disobedience. All four of them were charged with capital crimes by their government and sentenced to death. In Daniel's case, all he had to do was not pray out loud to God for thirty days. Thirty days! I can just hear today's Christian pragmatists screaming, "It's only for thirty days. You can still pray in your heart. We must obey the government." Can you imagine Daniel being asked to preach a message on "How And When To Defy Your Government" to the vast majority of churches in America today? Forget it!

Moreover, take a look at practically every single Old Testament prophet. Ninety percent of their preaching was negative. They seldom had anything positive to say, especially about the way their nation's leaders were behaving. They were often jailed, beaten, starved, or even killed. They were as familiar with prisons as they were with pulpits. They were despised by political leaders, rejected by religious leaders, and shunned by business leaders.

It wasn't much better for the Apostles and disciples in the New Testament. John the Baptizer was beheaded for "meddling in politics." The Apostles were beaten, stoned, and jailed. The Apostle Paul was especially hated. He was hated by Jews; he was hated by Romans; he was hated by businessmen; he was hated by politicians; he was even hated by fellow ministers.

Can you imagine the Apostle Paul preaching a message on "Conquering Low Self-Esteem"? Give Paul an opportunity today to preach to a church of one thousand members one Sunday morning, and by Sunday night (if they even had a Sunday night service), there might be hand-full back to hear him.

It is difficult for this generation of Christians to even comprehend that this fearless, uncompromising, "like it or lump it" kind of preaching was the kind of preaching that America cut its teeth on. The colonies and frontier of this nation were filled with prophet-like clergymen. And it didn't really matter which denomination one attended, the message was the same.

Whether it was the Baptist Joab Houghton, or Presbyterian James Caldwell, or Lutheran John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg, or Episcopalian Samuel Provost, or the German Reformed Nicholas Herkimer, they were all plucky, pugnacious preachers of repentance and righteousness!

In America, once voices rang loud and clear proclaiming the message of truth - old fashioned 'hell-fire and damnation, tell it like it is messages' - now those voices have been silenced by the hardness of the people.

No wonder our people today have become self-centered, sensitive, easily offended and shallow.

They seldom, if ever, hear honest, straight-forward, fearless (telling-it like-it-is) preaching.

Therefore, the next time you hear someone refer to the great men of the Bible, ask yourself, "Would that prophet be welcome in my church today?" In most instances, the answer would be a resounding no!

And now you know why America is in the shape it's in today: the nation always takes the form of its preachers and churches.

Judgment begins in the house of God.