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Mikey Lynch on Excuse me, but what's ‘mission’? (04/12/2008).
Nigel Statham on The second commandment (03/12/2008).
Dave Woolcott on Evaluating truth (03/12/2008).
sandy Grant on The second commandment (03/12/2008).
Sandy Grant on Evaluating truth (03/12/2008).
Ben Hudson on Job and prayer (03/12/2008).
Dave Woolcott on Evaluating truth (03/12/2008).
Sandy Grant on Evaluating truth (03/12/2008).
Brad Hansen on Getting rid of the killer but (03/12/2008).
Paul Grimmond on Getting rid of the killer but (03/12/2008).
Recent posts
Excuse me, but what’s ‘mission’? by Peter Sholl (1 comment). As a new missionary visiting a church recently, this was a question asked by one keen enquirer. He explained that he … more
The second commandment by Lionel Windsor (2 comments). Church as we know it can sometimes be a bit weird and jarring. A few weeks ago at church, we heard … more
Getting rid of the killer but by Paul Grimmond (8 comments). I admit it, the title is a serious temptation: I feel an overwhelming desire to make bad jokes about posteriors (perhaps … more
What are we doing anyway? by Tony Payne (11 comments). One of the pitfalls most non-profit organizations fall into at one stage or another is endless discussion about vision and mission … more
Factotum #2 by Paul Grimmond (2 comments). Here is the next one in our line of Saturday blasts from the past. If you're new to us, let me … more
You must read this book by Gordon Cheng (0 comments). I am struggling to find reasons to avoid reading a few things, including a small pile next to the bed, and … more
Evaluating truth by Paul Grimmond (17 comments). I spent two days last week at a writing conference. It was a great couple of days, and I learned … more
Christian ministry and normal Christians by Tony Payne (19 comments). I count it one of the privileges of my life to have grown up in a time and a place when … more
An interview with Jean Williams by Sandy Grant (7 comments). Today we interview Jean Williams. Jean, how did you come to Christ? It's not an exciting story, but in … more
Guilt-edged pages? by Nicole Starling (5 comments). While ploughing my way through The Shack1 recently (and it was a matter of ploughing my … more
Paul Grimmond
Paul is one of the Staff Editors at Matthias Media. He is married to Cathy and has three fantastic kids. He loves student ministry, reading, writing music and playing the saxophone, and is looking forward to meeting Jesus face to face.
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Thanks Lionel for raising this subject.
I’d like to add what I think is another element in the effects of Nowism on us.
There is a much greater pressure on preachers in our time to accentuate only the positive in what they preach. Whilst holiness preaching of the type you mention is now very rare, preaching on ‘values’ is very common and growing in popularity. Values to help my family, to help me make ethically sound choices at work and at the supermarket, etc. Preaching on values is seen as positive preaching.
However, refuting error is increasinly being criticised as divisive and unnecessary. Nowism means we lose sight both of the wonder of our future inheritance and of the horror of the final judgment on those who do not turn to the Lord Jesus in faith and repentance. As a consequence, Nowism places less emphasis on warning against false teachers and more emphasis on good Christian values.
In my view, this is a very serious problem we face within many churches right now. This trend is very deeply disturbing. We need to pray that our Father in heaven may deliver us from the insidious effects of Nowism and keep us steadfast in teaching both what is true and against what is false and misleading.
I agree Lionel, Christian distinctiveness is required, not just the polite, charitable sort, but also the loss-enduring, distinguishable value system, etc, so people will be able to see the hope that we have, which is beyond their understanding unless we explain to them.
Good post!
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