• ““The Inner Threat of Softness” The Inner Threat of Softness” by Homer by Homer Hailey (1941)Hailey (1941)– ““Aversion to so-called “hard” preaching is but Aversion to so-called “hard” preaching is but

one of the symptoms. Other symptoms of one of the symptoms. Other symptoms of internal softness are: Lack of force or power internal softness are: Lack of force or power in waging a relentless uncompromising war in waging a relentless uncompromising war against the enemies of truth…”against the enemies of truth…”– ““Aversion to firm, militant preaching and error-Aversion to firm, militant preaching and error-

exposing journalism are simply symptoms of exposing journalism are simply symptoms of internal decay…”internal decay…”

2

• Past 25 years a definite mind set has Past 25 years a definite mind set has developed and hardened among brethren developed and hardened among brethren in non-institutional churches of Christin non-institutional churches of Christ– Emphasize the “positive” and eliminate Emphasize the “positive” and eliminate

the “negative”the “negative”–Positive approach to teaching is said to be Positive approach to teaching is said to be

“Biblical and not polemical” “Biblical and not polemical” ((Christianity Magazine Christianity Magazine writers writers

guide)guide)• Disputing,Disputing, Acts 6:9-10; 9:29; 15:2 Acts 6:9-10; 9:29; 15:2 3

““Of course, some have used the idea of a positive Of course, some have used the idea of a positive Christianity to disguise doctrinal error, claiming that Christianity to disguise doctrinal error, claiming that one should only speak of what is right and never one should only speak of what is right and never define what is wrong. But the Scriptures have too define what is wrong. But the Scriptures have too much to say about standing against evil to tolerate much to say about standing against evil to tolerate such nonsense. I am against countless evils—such nonsense. I am against countless evils—including sweet-scented preachers who have including sweet-scented preachers who have become too genteel to denounce sin. But there are become too genteel to denounce sin. But there are limitations in understanding Christianity negatively. limitations in understanding Christianity negatively.

4

““I am against too many things, I am against I am against too many things, I am against institutional religion, hypocrisy, indecent movies, institutional religion, hypocrisy, indecent movies, instrumental music in worship, most rock music instrumental music in worship, most rock music anywhere, gay rights and left-handed lesbians. But that anywhere, gay rights and left-handed lesbians. But that doesn’t exhaust the subject. Nor can I exhaust it. So, it doesn’t exhaust the subject. Nor can I exhaust it. So, it is easier for me to tell you what I am for — though I am is easier for me to tell you what I am for — though I am always ready to react to any particular evil that comes always ready to react to any particular evil that comes to my attention and to take my stand against it.” to my attention and to take my stand against it.” Ed Ed Harrell, “Theme Editorial”Harrell, “Theme Editorial”

Christianity MagazineChristianity Magazine, 11, Jan 1984, 11, Jan 19845

““There are risks involved in positive thinking. There are risks involved in positive thinking. The risk of self-righteousness follows The risk of self-righteousness follows thinking too much of oneself (cf. Romans thinking too much of oneself (cf. Romans 12:3). There is the potential for 12:3). There is the potential for preoccupation so that we become unrealistic preoccupation so that we become unrealistic (cf. Luke 14:28-33). And then there’s always (cf. Luke 14:28-33). And then there’s always the problem of being so taken by the “rah-the problem of being so taken by the “rah-rah’s” that we forget what the project is (cf. rah’s” that we forget what the project is (cf. Matt. 23:23-24).Matt. 23:23-24). 6

““But, as Johnny Mercier’s great lyric suggests, But, as Johnny Mercier’s great lyric suggests, “You gotta accentuate the positive, eliminate “You gotta accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative; latch on to the affirmative; and the negative; latch on to the affirmative; and don’t mess with Mister In-between”.”don’t mess with Mister In-between”.”

Dee BowmanDee Bowman““Latch On To The Affirmative”Latch On To The Affirmative”

Christianity MagazineChristianity Magazine, 2, Jan 1984, 2, Jan 1984

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• Imbalanced preaching, Imbalanced preaching, 2 Tim 4:22 Tim 4:2• Increased unity in moral and doctrinal Increased unity in moral and doctrinal

diversity, diversity, 2 John 9-112 John 9-11• Increased unease against contending for Increased unease against contending for

the faith, the faith, Jude 3-4; Acts 20:27; Jer 6:16Jude 3-4; Acts 20:27; Jer 6:16• Preaching turned into “chats”, sharing Preaching turned into “chats”, sharing

experiences, etc., experiences, etc., 1 Tim 4:11; 5:7; 6:21 Tim 4:11; 5:7; 6:2• Fear of being direct with truth, Fear of being direct with truth, Gal 4:16Gal 4:16

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• Preach the positive Preach the positive blessings of the gospel blessings of the gospel • Plainly preaching the Plainly preaching the

negatives of sin, negatives of sin, 2 Tim 4:2; 2:24-262 Tim 4:2; 2:24-26• ““Discontented positivism”, Discontented positivism”, 2 Tim 4:3-42 Tim 4:3-4

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• ““We need to hear more preaching We need to hear more preaching about the daily walk of the Christian.”about the daily walk of the Christian.”–No doubt daily living is at the heart of No doubt daily living is at the heart of

being a disciple, being a disciple, Luke 6:40; 1 Jno 2:6Luke 6:40; 1 Jno 2:6–Taught to walk positively, Taught to walk positively, Eph 2:10; 4:1; Eph 2:10; 4:1;

5:8; 3 Jno 3-45:8; 3 Jno 3-4

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• ““We need to hear more preaching We need to hear more preaching about the daily walk of the Christian.”about the daily walk of the Christian.”–Need warnings against walking in sin, Need warnings against walking in sin,

Eph 4:17-20Eph 4:17-20–Need to walk “circumspectly”, Need to walk “circumspectly”, Eph 5:15Eph 5:15

• Positivism is not content with Positivism is not content with reproving and rebuking sin, reproving and rebuking sin, 1 Jno 1:6-9; 1 Jno 1:6-9; 2:3-62:3-6 11

• ““The love doesn’t flow.”The love doesn’t flow.”–Unduly elevates emotions and emotional Unduly elevates emotions and emotional

responses as the presence of love and faithresponses as the presence of love and faith–Obeying Christ is not emotionless, Obeying Christ is not emotionless,

Acts 8:39; Phil 2:2, 1 Jno 3:16-18; Eph 5:2Acts 8:39; Phil 2:2, 1 Jno 3:16-18; Eph 5:2• Danger of discounting obedience as Danger of discounting obedience as

unfeeling, unloving and negative, unfeeling, unloving and negative, Jno 14:15 (1 Jno 5:3)Jno 14:15 (1 Jno 5:3)

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• ““Preaching on Bible authority is too Preaching on Bible authority is too dry and boring.”dry and boring.”–Must understand Bible authority, Must understand Bible authority,

Matt 28:18-20; Col 3:17 (Acts 15:6-21)Matt 28:18-20; Col 3:17 (Acts 15:6-21)–Necessary to rightly dividing, Necessary to rightly dividing, 2 Tim 2:152 Tim 2:15–Many have lost interest, Many have lost interest, 2 Tim 4:3-42 Tim 4:3-4

• Positivism is not content with Bible Positivism is not content with Bible patterns, patterns, 2 Tim 1:132 Tim 1:13

13

• ““Your sermons make me feel Your sermons make me feel beaten down, not lifted up.”beaten down, not lifted up.”–Gospel preaching will have to do Gospel preaching will have to do

both, both, 2 Tim 4:2 (Jer 1:9-10)2 Tim 4:2 (Jer 1:9-10)–Reaction to the word of God reflects Reaction to the word of God reflects

one’s spiritual conditionone’s spiritual condition14

• ““Your sermons make me feel Your sermons make me feel beaten down, not lifted up.”beaten down, not lifted up.”–Reactions to gospel preaching…Reactions to gospel preaching…• Fear, Fear, Acts 24:25Acts 24:25• Godly sorrow, Godly sorrow, Acts 2:37; 2 Cor 7:9-10Acts 2:37; 2 Cor 7:9-10• Anger, hate, opposition, Anger, hate, opposition, Acts 6:54; 13:45Acts 6:54; 13:45• Gladness and rejoicing, Gladness and rejoicing, Acts 13:48Acts 13:48

15

• ““Your sermons make me feel Your sermons make me feel beaten down, not lifted up.”beaten down, not lifted up.”–Positivism infers we must always feel Positivism infers we must always feel

good (be made to feel good)good (be made to feel good)–That is not balanced Christianity, That is not balanced Christianity,

1 Cor 2:3; James 5:131 Cor 2:3; James 5:13

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• ““We need to go in a new direction.”We need to go in a new direction.”–Change for the sake of change is often Change for the sake of change is often

not change for the better!not change for the better!–Way of salvation, Way of salvation, Acts 16:17Acts 16:17–Way of the Lord, Way of the Lord, Acts 18:25Acts 18:25–Way of God, Way of God, Acts 18:26Acts 18:26–Way of truth, Way of truth, 2 Peter 2:22 Peter 2:2–Way of righteousness, Way of righteousness, 2 Peter 2:212 Peter 2:21

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• ““The church should be run like a The church should be run like a business.”business.”–Businesses operate for profit! Businesses operate for profit! 1 Cor 12:261 Cor 12:26

• Positivism is turning preachers into Positivism is turning preachers into professional CEOs and “hired guns” professional CEOs and “hired guns” to do our work for us, cf. to do our work for us, cf. 2 Tim 4:52 Tim 4:5

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““Positive” Positive” andand “Negative” “Negative”Acts 20:27; 2 Tim 3:16-17Acts 20:27; 2 Tim 3:16-17