Just proclaim the Gospel! (aka too many competing messages)

Several weeks ago, I came across blogger B’s post (see here), which criticized other Christians for using WordPress “to tell you why they ‘aren’t like those guys over there.’ As in… atheism, evolution, and scientific understanding.” The blogger’s point was that we should spend all of our energies positively proclaiming the Gospel rather than engaging in “negative declamation.”

I’ve seen and heard this criticism many times over the years, that it’s counterproductive for Christians to examine and engage atheism and false gospels (e.g., Roman Catholicism) and that Christians should just concentrate solely on proclaiming the Gospel.

This type of reasoning strongly appeals to today’s Christians in this post-modern era when the culture’s idolization of “inclusivity,” “tolerance,” “plurality,” and “relativism” is seeping into the church. Confronting false gospels and false ideologies has become absolutely repugnant to many Christians as exemplified by this particular blogger.

But what is the Biblical standard? Does God’s Word tell us to “just proclaim the Gospel” and to avoid all “negative declamation”?

When we read the New Testament, we see that Jesus Christ, the apostle Paul, and the other inspired writers of the New Testament epistles actually devoted quite a bit of attention to warning about false teachers and false gospels.

Jesus stated, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. – Matthew 7:15

Peter wrote, “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.” – 2 Peter 2:1

John wrote, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” – 1 John 4:1

Paul’s entire Letter to the Galatians is a warning about false teachers and false Gospels.

Okay, what about atheism or other “isms”?

“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 10:5

“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” – 1 Peter 3:15

“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.” – 2 Timothy 2:24-25

See many more relevant Scripture verses here.

The “Just proclaim the Gospel” philosophy appeals to many in this increasingly relativistic culture, but it’s not supported by Scripture. As Christians, we must deal with nitty-gritty questions like, “What is the Gospel?” and “What isn’t the Gospel?” and “Why should I believe the Bible?” To contend otherwise is naive and un-Biblical. I love the devotional posts here at WordPress, but they’re not helpful for atheists or deluded pseudo-Christians (e.g., Roman Catholics) who think they’re spiritually fine.

Yes, believers are commanded to preach the Good News! Gospel of salvation by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone, but there is also an abundance of Scriptural warrant for delineating and defending the faith and pointing out error.