PRÉCIS ON THE INFANTILE AMERICAN CHURCH: FOLLOWUP TO PASTORAL CAPITULATION TO PEUERILITY

SCRIPTURE. “However, brothers and sisters, I could not talk to you as to spiritual people, but [only] as to worldly people [dominated by human nature], mere infants [in the new life] in Christ! I fed you with milk, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Even now you are still not ready.

You are still worldly [controlled by ordinary impulses, the sinful capacity]. For as long as there is jealousy and strife and discord among you, are you not unspiritual, and are you not walking like ordinary men [unchanged by faith]?” – 1 CORINTHIANS 3:1-2, AMP

KEY TERM: “INFANTS.” ‘Népios’ [νηπίοις]: “From a primitive root, ‘Not speaking or inability to speak.’ Also: a minor or simple-minded person; an immature Christian; a babe, a child; carnal (of the flesh); i.e.  ‘worldly.’” NOTE: “Strong’s Greek 3516 refers to a very young child and, by extension, anyone who is undeveloped or immature. ‘The New Testament employs the term both literally (of actual infants) and figuratively (of those IMMATURE in understanding, faith, or behavior).’ Fifteen occurrences span Gospel narratives, Pauline epistles, and Hebrews, creating a cohesive portrait of ‘Infancy’ as both blessing and caution.”

QUOTATION. “The only way out of Spiritual Immaturity is to ‘Walk by Faith’ when the affections are dry and the Presence of God appears to have been withdrawn.” ― TONY REINKE, Newton on the Christian Life: To Live Is Christ, 2015; edited

COMMENTARY. “The most simple Truths of the Gospel, as to man’s sinfulness and God’s mercy, repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, stated in the plainest language, suit the people better than deeper mysteries. Men may have much Doctrinal Knowledge yet be mere ‘Beginners’ in the Life of Faith and experience. Contentions and quarrels about Religion are sad evidences of ‘Carnality.’ True Religion makes men peaceable, not contentious. But it is to be lamented, that many who should walk as Christians, live and act too much like other men.

‘Many Professors, and Preachers also, show themselves to be yet Carnal, by vain-glorious strife, eagerness for dispute, and readiness to despise and speak evil of others.”’ – MATTHEW HENRY, Exposition of the Old and New Testaments, 6 vols., 1708-1710; edited      

THE IMMATURE AMERICAN CHURCH. This section pretty much writes itself, beloved. I mean, just look around! The White Evangelicals act like The World is their oyster, and it’s the only one to fight for. Thus, an easy Obsession with Secular Power Politics and Material Gain as the ‘New American Gospel.’

Indeed, “The American Dream” has largely supplanted the ‘Christian Vision’ that used to dominate many Churches.    

To help us understand why this has happened to us, and its powerful implication for the Current Crisis of the American Church, I turn to TAIGEN JOOS.  Pastor of Heritage Baptist Church in Dover, New Hampshire, he’s currently working on his D.Min. degree.

The title of his piece: “Why the Immaturity?” published in Proclaim and Defend, on July 27, 2022 (edited). 

·       CULTURE. “‘Pop Culture is what dominates the landscape of America today.’ KENNETH MEYERS writes, ‘Popular Culture, especially [since 1964], has become a more dominant cultural force than ever before.’ This was true in 1989 when he wrote this book, and it is even more so today. While Christians cannot escape the presence of Pop Culture, we must guard ourselves from adapting to its value system. The value system and philosophical views of Pop Culture are not in alignment with those of the Scripture. Nonetheless, Pop Culture continues to be, not only allowed, but embraced in American Churches, which contributes to its Immaturity.

• YOUTH. “While Pop Culture has been around in some form for longer, the early decades of the Twentieth Century really ramped up its appeal and power, particularly in the youth of the day. The 1940s [notwithstanding the Roaring 20’s prior] saw the term ‘Teenager’ come into vogue, and various youth organizations formed that targeted the youth of the day as the Hope of the Future of America. The youth were viewed as those who could save the world from various political threats and be the leaders in the Churches. This ‘Youth Movement’ embraced the expressions and behaviors of the Pop Culture of the day. This has been perpetuated ever since at rapid speed. However, when a Church’s dominating emphasis is on the youth, it will lead to the neglect and marginalization of older generations, the prolonging of Adolescence, and ultimately perpetuating Immaturity within the Church.”

• CONSUMERISM. “‘Part of the Pop Culture philosophy includes the lust for the “New” and the “Now.” Whether it was the newest fad, the newest song, the newest dance, etc., there was a burning desire to consume them immediately! The latest and greatest are touted as being better than the more established and proven. However, the lust for the new and the now continued to appeal to the Youth Culture throughout the middle Twentieth Century and continues to do so today. Just monitor how often Apple comes out with ‘New’ technology and urges customers to pre-order ‘Now!’ Consumerism is ubiquitous in America today. If you don’t like what you have, there is always something newer that you can get virtually immediately. And while we are thankful for modern technological conveniences, when a Consumeristic Philosophy enters the Church Doors, there will be problems.”

• INDIVIDUALISM. “When you put the embracing of Pop Culture, an overemphasis on reaching the Youth, and the adoption of Consumerism into the spiritual blender, you inevitably produce a kind of ‘Individualistic View’ of Christianity. ‘Meism’ (to invent a word) is not compatible with Mature Bible Christianity. It reeks of a Narcissistic Self-Love. Yet, this is not only seen in the Unregenerate World, but it is also growing in our Churches, due in part to the prevalence of Social Media. However, a ‘Selfie’ Mentality’ in a Christian cannot Biblically coexist with God’s Philosophy of the Church. It will fester, producing more Immaturity, Unhealthiness, and perhaps Divisiveness within the Church.

• RECOMMENDATIONS. “‘Rather than accommodate to Pop Culture, Christians must cultivate Biblical Discernment that has a Healthy Skepticism about the various expressions of Pop Culture.’ Rather than reveling in and catering to Childish Youthfulness, Christians must value the Elders of the Church, giving weight to their thoughts and views. Rather than viewing Church life and ministries as a Consumer, Christians must contribute to the life and health of the Church for the Glory of God. ‘Rather than Selfish Individualism, Christians need to Humble themselves in service and self-denial, like Jesus Christ.’”

CODA. If you ever desired to understand much of what lies underneath all this massive Church Migration to Donald Trump, we can lay much of the blame right here at the foot of the AMERICAN PULPIT. By the Softening of the Gospel to placate the congregations, we undermine the Theological Root System of the Church, leaving its throat bared to Wolves.

Therefore, I end with this Passage from Paul the Apostle, as abrupt and frankly Severe Correction to the majority of the White Church in America:

“Be on guard; stand firm in your faith [in God, respecting His precepts and keeping your doctrine sound]. ACT LIKE [MATURE] MEN and be courageous; be strong!” – 1 CORINTHIANS 15:13, AMP

PASTORS: Let me be even more direct: Either give your people the ‘Rich, red meat of the Full Gospel,’ orresign and do something else. That is more honorable before God than holding on as a Hireling rather than a Leader-Shepherd guarding God’s flocks from Deception in these Last Days.