The new cross encourages a new and
entirely different evangelistic approach. The evangelist does not demand
abnegation of the old life before a new life can be received. He preaches not
contrasts but similarities. He seeks to key into public interest by showing
that Christianity makes no unpleasant demands; rather, it offers the same thing
the world does, only on a higher level. Whatever the sin-mad world happens to
be clamoring after at the moment is cleverly shown to be the very thing the
gospel offers, only the religious product is better.
The new cross does not slay the sinner,
it redirects him. It gears him into a cleaner and jollier way of living and saves
his self-respect. To the self-assertive it says, “Come and assert yourself for
Christ.” To the egotist it says, “Come and do your boasting in the Lord.” To
the thrill seeker it says, “Come and enjoy the thrill of Christian fellowship.”
The Christian message is slanted in the direction of the current vogue in order
to make it acceptable to the public.
The philosophy back of this kind of
thing may be sincere but its sincerity does not save it from being false. It is
false because it is blind. It misses completely the whole meaning of the
cross.
-- A. W. Tozer in “Man, the Dwelling Place of God”
#4568
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