Discontented Positivism

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 69-10 929 152

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 evilsincluding 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 doesnt 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 123). There is
  the potential for preoccupation so that we become
  unrealistic (cf. Luke 1428-33). And then theres
  always the problem of being so taken by the
  rah-rahs that we forget what the project is
  (cf. Matt. 2323-24).

7

• But, as Johnny Merciers great lyric suggests,
  You gotta accentuate the positive, eliminate the
  negative latch on to the affirmative and dont
  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 42
• Increased unity in moral and doctrinal diversity,
  2 John 9-11
• Increased unease against contending for the
  faith, Jude 3-4 Acts 2027 Jer 616
• Preaching turned into chats, sharing
  experiences, etc., 1 Tim 411 57 62
• Fear of being direct with truth, Gal 416

9
The Balance of Truth

• Preach the positive blessings
  of the gospel
• Plainly preaching the negatives of
  sin, 2 Tim 42 224-26
• Discontented positivism, 2 Tim 43-4

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 640 1 Jno 26
• Taught to walk positively, Eph 210 41 58 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
  417-20
• Need to walk circumspectly, Eph 515
• Positivism is not content with reproving and
  rebuking sin, 1 Jno 16-9 23-6

12
Earmarks ofDiscontented Positivism

• The love doesnt flow.
• Unduly elevates emotions and emotional responses
  as the presence of love and faith
• Obeying Christ is not emotionless, Acts
  839 Phil 22, 1 Jno 316-18 Eph 52
• Danger of discounting obedience as unfeeling,
  unloving and negative, Jno 1415 (1 Jno 53)

13
Earmarks ofDiscontented Positivism

• Preaching on Bible authority is too dry and
  boring.
• Must understand Bible authority, Matt
  2818-20 Col 317 (Acts 156-21)
• Necessary to rightly dividing, 2 Tim 215
• Many have lost interest, 2 Tim 43-4
• Positivism is not content with Bible patterns, 2
  Tim 113

14
Earmarks ofDiscontented Positivism

• Your sermons make me feel beaten down, not
  lifted up.
• Gospel preaching will have to do both, 2 Tim 42
  (Jer 19-10)
• Reaction to the word of God reflects ones
  spiritual condition

15
Earmarks ofDiscontented Positivism

• Your sermons make me feel beaten down, not
  lifted up.
• Reactions to gospel preaching
• Fear, Acts 2425
• Godly sorrow, Acts 237 2 Cor 79-10
• Anger, hate, opposition, Acts 654 1345
• Gladness and rejoicing, Acts 1348

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 23 James 513

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 1617
• Way of the Lord, Acts 1825
• Way of God, Acts 1826
• Way of truth, 2 Peter 22
• Way of righteousness, 2 Peter 221

18
Earmarks ofDiscontented Positivism

• The church should be run like a business.
• Businesses operate for profit! 1 Cor 1226
• Positivism is turning preachers into professional
  CEOs and hired guns to do our work for us,
  cf. 2 Tim 45

19
Discontented Positivism

• Positive and Negative
• Acts 2027 2 Tim 316-17