War of the Worldviews (Part 1)
July 11th, 2007
(By John MacArthur)
Five years ago, I wrote a relatively brief book entitled Why One Way? Defending an Exclusive Claim in an Inclusive World. As the title conveys, the book was meant as a reminder of the gospel’s distinctiveness.
That reminder is still desperately needed today, as evangelicalism continues to find itself tempted by the siren calls of our pluralistic society. Now is not the time to make friends with the world. It is certainly no time to capitulate to worldly cries for ecumenism and inclusivism. Unless we recover our conviction that Christ is the only way to heaven, the evangelical movement will become increasingly weak and irrelevant.
It is ironic that so many who are downplaying the exclusivity of Christ are doing it because they believe it is a barrier to “relevance.” Actually, Christianity is not relevant at all if it is merely one of many possible paths to God. The relevance of the gospel has always been its absolute exclusivity, summed up in the truth that Christ alone has atoned for sin and therefore Christ alone can provide reconciliation with God for those who believe only in Him.
The early church preached Christ crucified, knowing that the message was a stumblingblock to the religious Jews and foolishness to the philosophical Greeks (1 Corinthians 1:23). We need to recover that apostolic boldness. We need to remember that sinners are not won by clever public relations or the powers of earthly persuasion, but it is the gospel — an inherently exclusive message — that is the power of God unto salvation.
That very narrowness sets Christianity apart from every other world view. After all, the whole point of Jesus’ best-known sermon was to declare that the way to destruction is broad and well traveled, while the way of life is so narrow that few find it (Matthew 7:14). Our task as ambassadors of God is to point to that very narrow way. Christ Himself is the one way to God, and to obscure that fact is in effect to deny Christ and to disavow the gospel itself.
We must resist the tendency to be absorbed into the fads and fashions of worldly thought. We need to emphasize, not downplay, what makes Christianity unique. And in order to do that effectively, we need to have a better grasp of how worldly thought is threatening sound doctrine in the church. We must be able to point out just where the narrow way diverges from the broad way.
In tomorrow’s post, I will overview what I believe to be six key components of a biblical worldview – that is, the worldview that sets Christianity apart from every other worldly viewpoint.
Very timely ~
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070711/NEWS01/707110380/1006/NEWS01&template=printart
Timely, indeed. It seems that many of my old friends, whom I have been getting back into contact with, either embrace Wicca, or some postmodern version of spirituality (more often than not, wearing the label “Christian”). I’m looking forward to the series.
John,
This post is timely. I was busy this morning forwarding to many of my “separated brethren” an AP news report on Pope Ratzinger’s clarification regarding the RCC’s stance on ECT
(Its my first attempt at linking in the comments section of a blog … so, I hope it works! If not, your readers can Google it. But … I think it made the front page of most news sources.)
I am often exhorted as to the virtues of Christians being known by what we stand FOR, and not rather by what we stand AGAINST. Personally, I have long held that this was a false and even spiritually dangerous dichotomy. Surely it IS important to preach the truth. The truth is what we stand FOR. Yet the Scriptures teach (and model) that it is no less important to expose, condemn, and otherwise inform and preach or stand AGAINST: lies/error.
I think that we must not shy away from either one nor the other … if we would wish to show ourselves approved unto God.
We must endeavor to be known by what we stand FOR as well as what we stand AGAINST. Otherwise, I think that the practical outcome is a congregation following BEHIND, without any practical ability to discern one position from the other.
With Great Appreciation for Your Faithful Ministry in MY Own Life,
Walter Heaton
CROATIA
Yes, a most timely message. It’s been a little while since reading your booklet but its on my top shelf. Timely as well, in light of what the Pope stated this past weekend. Caused a bit of stir, especially since most religious media references seemingly agree with the Pope, in that they always seem to show or quote someone from the RC faith.
Lets hope many protostants will speak out while this issue is front an center. What a great opportunity to openly explain why ‘there is only one way’, and what God’s Word says so clearly states.
Jerry
Mr. MacArthur, thanks for this series. I look forward to what you have to say, espcecially since I am studying to be an apologist and currently in a discussion with an atheist about worldviews (sort of). Anyway, may God bless your work!
His servant and your’s,
-Justin
.” We need to recover that apostolic boldness.”
I wish. I pray. And may I always know that’s it Him not me.
The claims of Christ Himself are exclusive. There’s no way around it. May God strengthen the banner of the Church today with men who would follow our Savior, boldly proclaiming the Gospel, making the way for the Lord.
Thanks Pastor for all your work for our precious Redeemer. May God continue strengthening and filling you with His Spirit to unashamedly preach the Word to a dying world.
Love in the Truth,
Ivan
And now the Vatican furiously treads whirlpool waters to hold fast to the error of their ways along with attempting a mini backstroke.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22060997-661,00.html
donsands is correct ~ those in Christ, truly in Christ, stand firm knowing from whence comes everything. So many websites/blogs online with a Christian banner will set doctrine on a shelf for the sake of earthly “peace” and popularity and “friendships?” and even profit in the name of encouraging Christians while ignoring true peace with God that separates. How many will suffer for the sake of righteousness to the point of standing with the few or standing alone these days?
I’m grateful for the online conviction here.