Michael Spencer (the Internet Monk) recently posted The Thirteen Critical Problems Facing Contemporary Evangelicalism. I think I agree with him (at least to some extent) on every single point. Here they are:
THE THIRTEEN CRITICAL PROBLEMS FACING CONTEMPORARY EVANGELICALISM.
- Vast evidence of a growing doctrinal deterioration on the essentials and implications of the Gospel.
- The expansion and influence of the “Prosperity Gospel” throughout evangelicalism.
- The loss of the concept of meaningful church membership and the rise of the “audience-only” model of church participation.
- The loss of the theological “center” in mainline churches at the precise time many evangelicals are open to reconsidering the mainline vision of worship, especially in Anglicanism.
- The triumph and glorification of unchecked pragmatic entrepreneurialism, especially in worship, but in all areas of evangelical life.
- The corrosive and compromised influence of Christian publishing in shaping evangelicalism, as exemplified in the rise of Joel Osteen, The Prayer of Jabez and the Prosperity Gospel.
- Growing chaos in the theological and practical preparation of pastors, especially in the “emerging” church.
- The failure of the “Seeker” model to use its vast resources and influence to produce a Christian counter-culture or challenge the “program centered/facilities centered” model of evangelicalism.
- The lack of rising “Billy Graham” quality new leaders for the larger evangelical movement.
- The failure of most evangelical denominations to broadly embrace and effectively mentor the current church planting movement.
- The demise of quality Biblical preaching at the hands of technology and entertainment.
- The apparently fatal infection of much of the emerging church movement with the failed theology of 20th century liberalism.
- The cannibalism of evangelicalism on issues related to theological, cultural, social and political diversity.
Grace and Peace