Watered-down christianity doesn't work

There is a school of thought that says that we should back-pedal on the harder teachings of Christianity in order not to scare away seekers or new christians. The theory goes that it is better to get and keep such people in the church, where they can hear a (watered-down) gospel rather than frighten them off. What rot. If anyone has any lingering doubt that such a philosophy works, they have only to look at the experience of seeker-friendly Willow Creek. The results of a multi-year study on the effectiveness of their programs and philosophy of ministry reveal that most of what they have been doing for these many years, and what they have taught millions of others to do, is not producing solid disciples of Jesus Christ. Numbers yes, but not disciples.

I think people need to know exactly what they are committing themselves to before they make a decision to follow Christ. "Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and few find it." (Matt 7:14) "He who puts his hand to the plough and then looks back is not fit for service in the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62) Better a few really committed christians who understand what it is all about than a load of wishy-washy touchy-feely felt-led sort-of christians who still have one foot in the world and who will probably run away at the first sign of persecution or hardship. In the meantime, they are infecting our churches with their worldly views on everything from homosexuality to new age therapies. That is why the church in Scotland (and the Church of Scotland in particular) is in such a mess. Preaching a watered-down gospel just doesn't work.

When the rich young man came to Jesus and asked what he must do to inherit eternal life, did Jesus make it easy for him? No, he didn't, even although Mark's gospel tells us that Jesus loved him (Mark 10:21). Actually, Jesus asked the young man to do the same as he'd asked the other disciples to do - leave everything and follow him. The result was a failure, in the world's eyes, but why should Jesus have asked anything less of this particular would-be follower? Would we really expect Jesus to make an exception just because someone was rich? The way to eternal life is the same for everyone - through faith in Christ. The cost is everything we have. There are no shortcuts, no easy way, no privileged path. It's a pity Pilgrim's Progress is not more widely read these days.

Yes, it is harder for those who have a lot invested in the world to become christians (Mark 10:23). Sometimes they need to lose their wordly wealth before they will turn to Christ. Our job is not to make it easy for them but to preach the gospel, omitting nothing. To do otherwise is dishonest and unfair.