The Purity of the Gospel

The Purity of the Gospel

How concerned are we with the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Paul the Apostle said that he was not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16). Paul is not saying that he is not embarrassed with the Gospel. He is boldly affirming the power of the Gospel, “It is the power of God. . .” In this statement, the Apostle is proclaiming his total dependence on the Gospel. He is proclaiming the ability of the Gospel to change lives. No amount of love, forgiveness, and kind affection for those around us will change their lives. Only the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ will change lives.

There is a movement today by evangelical Christians to look elsewhere for life changing power. Recently, Every Tribe Entertainment (ETE) produced a movie named End of the Spear. End of the Spear is based on the book by the same name written by Steve Saint. Two things trouble me about the movie presented by ETE.

First, is the choice to cast a gay activist as Nate and Steve Saint. Chad Allen is an outspoken gay activist who is not a Christian. Recently, Chad Allen appeared on Larry King Live (CNN) with Dr. Albert Mohler, president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, to debate the hit movie about homosexual cowboys, Brokeback Mountain. Of course, the conversation shifted to the End of the Spear. Below is a quote from Chad Allen on that program.

CALLER: Chad, by whose standard do you think that it’s right to live the way you have chosen to live?ALLEN: By the standard that I judge all of my actions. These days I judge all of my actions by my relationship with God of my understanding. It is a deep-founded, faith-based belief in God based upon the work that I’ve done growing up as a Catholic boy and then reaching out to Buddhism philosophy, to Hindu philosophy, to Native American beliefs and finally as I got through my course with addiction and alcoholism and finding a higher power that worked for me. You know, I had to sit down with that same God today and say, “Do you want me to go on this show? Do you want me to speak the things that are in my heart? And if not, I’m happy not to go. Do you want me to make this movie?” It’s the same God that I go to for every decision.

I do not bring judgment on Chad Allen for his choice of a gay lifestyle. I do not bring judgment on him for his wrong view of the true God of the Bible. He is a sinner as we all are in need of a forgiving Savior. The real problem lies with an evangelical company choosing a blatantly gay activist to represent the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The “vessel” that delivers the gospel message is of vital importance. There is a pragmatic approach to the gospel by so many evangelicals. The approach that tries to make the one standing for right seem like an uncaring dolt who does not understand God’s sovereignty. “Don’t you think that God can use a homosexual activist to give the gospel out?” is the phrase spewed in an attempt to make the fundamentalist look like he cares not for the sinner, or really doesn’t believe God is “capable” of presenting the Gospel. However, the question is not whether God has the ability to use anyone to give the Gospel, but whether God’s will is to use anyone to spread the Gospel. Jesus was very compassionate for sinners of the basest sort and so must we, but he chose to use 11 and then 70 trained disciples to spread the Gospel. Could God have used Saul instead of David? Yes, but he rejected Saul and chose David because His glory was best served by choosing someone after His own heart. Hereby we come to the ultimate reality. God is more concerned with the heart of the messenger than we sometimes would like to believe. The method and mode of evangelism is just as important to God as the message.

The second issue I have with the movie End of the Spear is its complete lack of clear Gospel presentation. I must reiterate that I have yet to see this movie, but I am speaking on the many reviews that I have heard about the movie from different perspectives. When I heard Michael Medved (a conservative Jewish radio host) praise this movie calling it “Spiritual but not preachy” I understood in what way the Gospel has been softened in that movie. The Gospel by its very nature offends, so why did it not offend with the purpose of convicting. No amount of forgiveness and sacrifice can substitute for the Gospel. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is perfect. As Christians, we do not need to make the Gospel “acceptable” or “fashionable” for today’s audiences. If the Gospel truly is the power of God, then we must be very careful to give it exactly as God gives it. When we take away the pure Gospel, we take away the power. When we attempt to make the Gospel more pleasing so we can reach a broader audience, we accomplish nothing for the cause of Christ. I was not troubled at the presentation of Mel Gibson’s The Passion of Christ. Why? Because I did not expect an unbeliever to present the Gospel with power and might. I do not look to C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe to teach the Gospel because Walt Disney, a worldly company, produced it. However, my problem with ETE and the End of the Spear is that they are Christian company who has indicated that their purpose is evangelism, but have obviously watered down the Gospel. Like Paul who confronted Peter with his egregious error in siding with the Judaizers, I believe that Christians must stand and confront the error of other believers who are watering down and softening the powerful Gospel of Jesus Christ. We must stand for a pure Gospel of Jesus Christ or we have nothing to stand on at all. I have linked Jason Janz’s article at Sharper Iron dealing with this subject as well.