Preaching a 'feel good' gospel

aspen · Dec 27, 2011

I remember being warned about 'easy salvation' when I was young and Protestant, but I am not sure if it is the same as a 'feel good' gospel. The concept of 'easy salvation' is asking Jesus into your heart, possibly at a revival or after listening to an evangelist, and then never thinking about God again, yet expecting to be saved.

I know that some people probably think that the gospel of love is an easy gospel - without this term being tagged to some of my posts explicitly, I think it has certainly been applied. However, I am still not sure what this term really means - so whoever can enlighten me, I would appreciate it.

HammerStone · Dec 27, 2011

You're not going to get an exact, tangible, apportioned amount when it comes to this term.

Essentially it's used to mean hearing a gospel where you don't actually have to do anything. It just gives you the warm and fuzzies when desired. I'd liken it somewhat to what Prentis often talks about when he says that it comes from the gnostic concept of knowing some hidden knowledge that makes you immediately saved without anything else. That always gets me in trouble saying something like that, but the gospel will manifest in your life in some form if one has truly accepted it. It's not that we have to make ourselves over, but when Jesus gets involved, things change. Look no further than the book of James. Faith without works is dead.

So, to sum it up, if you're a Sunday pew potato, but then that gospel that you hear on Sundays (and maybe Wednesday nights), does not actually see the light of day in practical application during the week, I'd define that as a feel-good faith. Others might call it Christian consumerism.

aspen · Dec 27, 2011

HammerStone said:
You're not going to get an exact, tangible, apportioned amount when it comes to this term.

Essentially it's used to mean hearing a gospel where you don't actually have to do anything. It just gives you the warm and fuzzies when desired. I'd liken it somewhat to what Prentis often talks about when he says that it comes from the gnostic concept of knowing some hidden knowledge that makes you immediately saved without anything else. That always gets me in trouble saying something like that, but the gospel will manifest in your life in some form if one has truly accepted it. It's not that we have to make ourselves over, but when Jesus gets involved, things change. Look no further than the book of James. Faith without works is dead.

So, to sum it up, if you're a Sunday pew potato, but then that gospel that you hear on Sundays (and maybe Wednesday nights), does not actually see the light of day in practical application during the week, I'd define that as a feel-good faith. Others might call it Christian consumerism.

Okay - that makes sense.....

I think prayer can also be 'feel good' and false in the way you are describing, as well. Feelings should not be stifled in prayer, but they should not by the goal or the barometer of time spent with God.

So, perhaps Gnosticism tickles the mind and Quietism tickles the heart and Consumerism tickles the Will.

I think it is often difficult to distinguish between lessons of sanctification that are simply difficult to apply from sloth or spiritual tepidness - depression seems to play a larger part than ever before in the modern world....

HammerStone · Dec 27, 2011

I think prayer can also be 'feel good' and false in the way you are describing, as well. Feelings should not be stifled in prayer, but they should not by the goal or the barometer of time spent with God.

I think that's a fair statement in many ways about prayer. It's in the same spirit as worship morphing in a focal point of emotions and feelings as opposed to it being about God (ie: the music choice or charismatic speaker might get you caught up in a wave of emotion). I think that is certainly a danger, but I also won't go the opposite way and say that any joy driven from prayer is wrong. I hate to come back to this line, but there is a healthy balance where joy itself is not a bad thing, but joy as its own chief end is not necessarily a good thing. Joy as its own end is clear and distinct from joy in a sovereign God. Jesus kinda touched on this when he said don't chant as the other religions chant. In other words, don't feel good because you're saying something supposedly holy. Very often, Biblical men and women vented in prayer.

I think it is often difficult to distinguish between lessons of sanctification that are simply difficult to apply from sloth or spiritual tepidness - depression seems to play a larger part than ever before in the modern world....

Well, a certain amount of depression is certainly due to our ever-expanding diagnoses of it. I don't mean that in a negative-only sense (although I do feel that every so often someone is diagnosed and subsequently prescribed medication when they arguably should not be) in that we now have more people who have the symptoms and actually seek treatment. It's a manifestation of a lifestyle where you can never have enough - and that crept into Christianity as well in the forms of many -isms, some of which you named above.

Angelina · Dec 28, 2011

I remember being warned about 'easy salvation' when I was young and Protestant, but I am not sure if it is the same as a 'feel good' gospel. The concept of 'easy salvation' is asking Jesus into your heart, possibly at a revival or after listening to an evangelist, and then never thinking about God again, yet expecting to be saved.
I know that some people probably think that the gospel of love is an easy gospel - without this term being tagged to some of my posts explicitly, I think it has certainly been applied. However, I am still not sure what this term really means - so whoever can enlighten me, I would appreciate it.

Hi aspen!
IMO the the gospel message is very simple Romans 10:8-11, however God does love us and will not allow us to remain in the condition that we have originally came from whilst participating in the world Hebrews 12:5-7 ...The old man has to die Ephesians 4:21-23, Colossians 3:8-11 and that does not always happen at salvation. Sanctification is an ongoing process in which a believer begins to walk in the newness of the Spirit. Inward changes are reflected by outward changes through the ministry of the Holy Spirit and practice. Sanctification can be a painful process ...It took us a lifetime to be who we have been in the world and it can also take a lifetime to practice the opposite...

I think that those who preach the "feel good" gospel do not include our part of the obligations, required to truly fulfill the New Testament Covenant. The OT covenant was a contract between God and Israel and those whom God called through the promise by faith which is the requirement for all believers today [including Israel]. The Good News Gospel is the fulfillment of those promises made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob through Jesus the Anointed one [Messiah].

The OT covenant had requirements just as the NT covenant does eg: if you [our part]...then I shall [God's part].
The "feel good gospel" only speaks of the...I shall. [God's part].

Failure by Ministers, Evangelists and preachers of the word is in the delivery. The full Gospel which brings Good News can be lost....and many new believers along with it, when it does not include both sides of the contract..."The Whole Word of God" and not just the ones that we like...

Shalom....

aspen · Dec 28, 2011

Angelina said:
Hi aspen!
IMO the the gospel message is very simple Romans 10:8-11, however God does love us and will not allow us to remain in the condition that we have originally came from whilst participating in the world Hebrews 12:5-7 ...The old man has to die Ephesians 4:21-23, Colossians 3:8-11 and that does not always happen at salvation. Sanctification is an ongoing process in which a believer begins to walk in the newness of the Spirit. Inward changes are reflected by outward changes through the ministry of the Holy Spirit and practice. Sanctification can be a painful process ...It took us a lifetime to be who we have been in the world and it can also take a lifetime to practice the opposite...

I think that those who preach the "feel good" gospel do not include our part of the obligations, required to truly fulfill the New Testiment Covenant. The OT covenant was a contract between God and Israel and those whom God called through the promise by faith which is the requirement for believers today [including Israel]. The Good News Gospel is the fulfillment of those promises made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob through Jesus the Anointed one [Messiah].

The OT covenant had requirements just as the NT covenant does eg: if you [our part]...then I shall [God's part].
The "feel good gospel" only speaks of the...I shall. [God's part].

Shalom....

What do you think about evangelists, in general? Most seem to come in for a revival for a drive by saving and then they are off to the next town. Is this an example of a feel good gospel?

I tend to talk a lot about God's love and our call to love others and I agree it takes a lifetime to learn.

Angelina · Dec 28, 2011

Hey aspen!

I speak from experience when I say that failure on behalf of Evangelists [and others] is in the delivery.

As an evangelist, I have learned from experience that I must not just reap the harvest but ensure that these new believers are going to be catered for through a body of believers [Church]. In my early years, I would get such a thrill leading people to the Lord...it was like "overwelming joy!"
Now days...If I lead someone to the Lord, I make sure that someone is available to disciple them....If I cannot find someone suitable, I will do it myself until I can find someone that I trust will see them through to maturity...

What do you think about evangelists, in general? Most seem to come in for a revival for a drive by saving and then they are off to the next town. Is this an example of a feel good gospel?

Evangelists are part of the body of Christ but function mainly outside the walls of a Church...most times, their purpose is to see souls saved and people won for the Kingdom of God. They may come across purpose driven sometimes...in a way they are, but mostly because they love God and love souls.
They just have to remember that they are not in it for the thrills but for leading people to salvation because they love them as God does...and also...it is God who does the saving, we are just his vessels...

PS: The "fly by night" evangelist is not really the issue re: "feel good gospel" but rather the message they deliver.

If it does not include the Whole word of God or just God's obligation towards us - their message can be misunderstood...then when trials or hardship come upon a newbie...they can become confused, disillusioned, lost or even feel that they have been lied to, thus closing the door completely...

Blessings!!!

aspen · Dec 28, 2011

Angelina said:
Hey aspen!

I speak from experience when I say that failure on behalf of Evangelists [and others] is in the delivery.

As an evangelist, I have learned from experience that I must not just reap the harvest but ensure that these new believers are going to be catered for through a body of believers [Church]. In my early years, I would get such a thrill leading people to the Lord...it was like "overwelming joy!"
Now days...If I lead someone to the Lord, I make sure that someone is available to disciple them....If I cannot find someone suitable, I will do it myself until I can find someone that I trust will see them through to maturity...

Evangelists are part of the body of Christ but function mainly outside the walls of a Church...most times, their purpose is to see souls saved and people won for the Kingdom of God. They may come across purpose driven sometimes...in a way they are, but mostly because they love God and love souls.
They just have to remember that they are not in it for the thrills but for leading people to salvation because they love them as God does...and also...it is God who does the saving, we are just his vessels...

PS: The "fly by night" evangelist is not really the issue re: "feel good gospel" but rather the message they deliver.

If it does not include the Whole word of God or just God's obligation towards us - their message can be misunderstood...then when trials or hardship come upon a newbie...they can become confused, disillusioned, lost or even feel that they have been lied to, thus closing the door completely...

Blessings!!!

Interesting! It seems to me that evangelists that work with local pastors and clergy could really be successful.

Your post is encouraging, Angelina!

Foreigner · Dec 28, 2011

aspen said:
What do you think about evangelists, in general? Most seem to come in for a revival for a drive by saving and then they are off to the next town. Is this an example of a feel good gospel?

I tend to talk a lot about God's love and our call to love others and I agree it takes a lifetime to learn.

-- I do not think that blanket characterization is fair.

Several evangelists work hand-in-glove with local pastors.
Many evangelists are invited to the communities by local churches who provide the venue.

And they are not necessarily hit-and-run preach and altar-call visits.
Many who come forward are given information about local churches from members of those churches.
I know for a fact that many churches get the new Christians phone and/or email address and follow-up within the next couple of days to ensure they know they have not been forgotten.

They are invited to join prayer groups, attend churches, etc. etc.

Many 'evangelicals' go to Asia, Africa, South America and have done three and four-day revivals.
They return between six months and a year to find flourishing Christian churches that were seeded and grew in their wake.

Jesus was the original 'evangelist'
Community to community. Preaching and healing. Leaving the next day and rarely returning to the community He just left.

That seemed to work pretty well....

Angelina · Dec 28, 2011

Most Evangelists are linked to a Body of believers [Church]. When they are called to minister in another city or town, crossing denominations, they need to be in unity with the various Churches involved there. This enables Pastors/ ministers to have their team prepared to introduce themselves as a Church and be available to disciple new believers in their area. Personal Evangelism is very much the same...most new believers will join the same Church that their friend [who has led them to salvation] goes to...

Evangelists are part of the body but usually function outside the four walls...this is also true for Healing, Deliverance and other ministries. They can all function together and work outside the body but they are still linked to the Church which Jesus is the Head...

Blessings!!!

7angels · Dec 28, 2011

few understand discipleship. most think it is just getting people saved. there is a lot more to it. angelina has a pretty good grasp of it, it seems.

a feel good gospel can easily lead to false doctrine. people would like to hear things that allows them to live like they want to live. it allows them to justify their beliefs in what it is that they are doing. for example mormons believe that the good they do while on earth will justify them in heaven which is why they are so intent on doing good things for others. it is a good concept that should be copied in the christian community but reason behind it needs to change to come into line with scripture. there are many other examples. there is even a religion that allows lying or stealing as long as it is for a good cause. why people follow all these different religions is to make themselves feel better or from lack of knowing any better.

i know there are to kinds of christians according to the bible. those that are saved and those that are overcomers. overcomers are those that will be rewarded in heaven for what they have done while on earth and saved are those that get to heaven but do not get a reward because they lived according to the world. we need to remember that all that is necessary to get to heaven is confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. it says nothing about living a Godly life. living the Godly life is an overcomer..

aspen · Dec 28, 2011

Foreigner said:
-- I do not think that blanket characterization is fair.

Several evangelists work hand-in-glove with local pastors.
Many evangelists are invited to the communities by local churches who provide the venue.

And they are not necessarily hit-and-run preach and altar-call visits.
Many who come forward are given information about local churches from members of those churches.
I know for a fact that many churches get the new Christians phone and/or email address and follow-up within the next couple of days to ensure they know they have not been forgotten.

They are invited to join prayer groups, attend churches, etc. etc.

Many 'evangelicals' go to Asia, Africa, South America and have done three and four-day revivals.
They return between six months and a year to find flourishing Christian churches that were seeded and grew in their wake.

Jesus was the original 'evangelist'
Community to community. Preaching and healing. Leaving the next day and rarely returning to the community He just left.

That seemed to work pretty well....

I think you are right.

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Preaching a 'feel good' gospel

aspen

“"The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few

HammerStone

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aspen

“"The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few

HammerStone

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Angelina

Prayer Warrior

aspen

“"The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few

Angelina

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aspen

“"The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few

Foreigner

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Angelina

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7angels

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aspen

“"The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few

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