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Discontented Positivism

Discontented Positivism. Historical Concerns. “The Inner Threat of Softness” by Homer Hailey (1941)

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Discontented Positivism

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  1. Discontented Positivism

  2. Historical Concerns • “The Inner Threat of Softness” by Homer Hailey (1941) • “Aversion to so-called “hard” preaching is but one of the symptoms. Other symptoms of internal softness are: Lack of force or power in waging a relentless uncompromising war against the enemies of truth…” • “Aversion to firm, militant preaching and error-exposing journalism are simply symptoms of internal decay…”

  3. Positive Christianity • Past 25 years a definite mind set has developed and hardened among brethren in non-institutional churches of Christ • Emphasize the “positive” and eliminate the “negative” • Positive approach to teaching is said to be “Biblical and not polemical” (Christianity Magazine writers guide) • Disputing, Acts 6:9-10; 9:29; 15:2

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

  5. “I am against too many things, I am against institutional religion, hypocrisy, indecent movies, instrumental music in worship, most rock music anywhere, gay rights and left-handed lesbians. But that 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 always ready to react to any particular evil that comes to my attention and to take my stand against it.” Ed Harrell, “Theme Editorial” Christianity Magazine, 11, Jan 1984

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

  7. “But, as Johnny Mercier’s great lyric suggests, “You gotta accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative; latch on to the affirmative; and don’t mess with Mister In-between”.” Dee Bowman “Latch On To The Affirmative” Christianity Magazine, 2, Jan 1984

  8. Dangers and Compromises of Positivism • Imbalanced preaching, 2 Tim 4:2 • Increased unity in moral and doctrinal diversity, 2 John 9-11 • Increased unease against contending for the faith, Jude 3-4; Acts 20:27; Jer 6:16 • Preaching turned into “chats”, sharing experiences, etc., 1 Tim 4:11; 5:7; 6:2 • Fear of being direct with truth, Gal 4:16

  9. The Balance of Truth • Preach the positive blessings of the gospel • Plainly preaching the negatives of sin, 2 Tim 4:2; 2:24-26 • “Discontented positivism”, 2 Tim 4:3-4

  10. Earmarks ofDiscontented Positivism • “We need to hear more preaching about the daily walk of the Christian.” • No doubt daily living is at the heart of being a disciple, Luke 6:40; 1 Jno 2:6 • Taught to walk positively, Eph 2:10; 4:1; 5:8; 3 Jno 3-4

  11. Earmarks ofDiscontented Positivism • “We need to hear more preaching about the daily walk of the Christian.” • Need warnings against walking in sin, Eph 4:17-20 • Need to walk “circumspectly”, Eph 5:15 • Positivism is not content with reproving and rebuking sin, 1 Jno 1:6-9; 2:3-6

  12. Earmarks ofDiscontented Positivism • “The love doesn’t flow.” • Unduly elevates emotions and emotional responses as the presence of love and faith • Obeying Christ is not emotionless, Acts 8:39; Phil 2:2, 1 Jno 3:16-18; Eph 5:2 • Danger of discounting obedience as unfeeling, unloving and negative, Jno 14:15 (1 Jno 5:3)

  13. Earmarks ofDiscontented Positivism • “Preaching on Bible authority is too dry and boring.” • Must understand Bible authority, Matt 28:18-20; Col 3:17 (Acts 15:6-21) • Necessary to rightly dividing, 2 Tim 2:15 • Many have lost interest, 2 Tim 4:3-4 • Positivism is not content with Bible patterns, 2 Tim 1:13

  14. Earmarks ofDiscontented Positivism • “Your sermons make me feel beaten down, not lifted up.” • Gospel preaching will have to do both, 2 Tim 4:2 (Jer 1:9-10) • Reaction to the word of God reflects one’s spiritual condition

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

  16. Earmarks ofDiscontented Positivism • “Your sermons make me feel beaten down, not lifted up.” • Positivism infers we must always feel good (be made to feel good) • That is not balanced Christianity, 1 Cor 2:3; James 5:13

  17. Earmarks ofDiscontented Positivism • “We need to go in a new direction.” • Change for the sake of change is often not change for the better! • Way of salvation, Acts 16:17 • Way of the Lord, Acts 18:25 • Way of God, Acts 18:26 • Way of truth, 2 Peter 2:2 • Way of righteousness, 2 Peter 2:21

  18. Earmarks ofDiscontented Positivism • “The church should be run like a business.” • Businesses operate for profit! 1 Cor 12:26 • Positivism is turning preachers into professional CEOs and “hired guns” to do our work for us, cf. 2 Tim 4:5

  19. DiscontentedPositivism “Positive” and “Negative” Acts 20:27; 2 Tim 3:16-17

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