In recent years, there has been an outcry from cutting-edge Christian communicators to use relevant language in communicating Biblical truth. The center of this push has come from those described as seeker friendly. I believe their motives are pure. They just want biblical truth to be on the bottom shelf, available to all in language they understand.
In many ways this call for relevancy is appropriate. It is no different than making the Bible available in Spanish, Chinese or German.
Yet in our desire to be relevant, the pendulum has often swung too far. Relevancy has often thrown truth aside. Biblical words like the blood, repentance, hell and judgment are replaced with less offensive language. Indeed, the very concepts themselves lose their rightful place in communication of Biblical truth.
I fear it has led to a slippery slope in declaring the whole counsel of God. In an effort to be relevant and non-offensive we have stripped the Gospel of its power. The good news is so good because the bad news is so bad. To be biblical, the good news must be presented with the backdrop of the coming judgment and eternal punishment for those who reject the Gospel.
I would propose that without the truths of judgment and Hell there is no relevancy. Contrary to the universalist philosophy of our day, all are not bound for Heaven. God will not one day accept everyone into His Eternal Kingdom.
Jesus was relevant and clear. Unless you repent, you will perish. Soft selling judgment and refusing to warn sinners of this reality of Hell makes our message irrelevant!
How long has it been since you have heard a message on Hell? Judgment? How long has it been since you have heard a clear call to repentance? My prayer is that our Baptist preachers always declare the Good News, but never fail to call people to repentance-because judgment awaits and Hell is real. Now that is relevant communication!
