A pastor in Southern California named, Francis Chan of Cornerstone Community Church, has recently made a movie tract called, "Just Stop and Think." It is a fifteen minute video designed in a very warm, winsome, down to earth, relatable, one on one style to present the gospel of Jesus Christ. The film was very well made and Pastor Chan is a very passionate and gifted communicator. As I watched this piece a few times, it occurred to me that Pastor Chan forgot one thing in his presentation of the gospel… the gospel itself. In light of this, I have been quite surprised at how many positive comments this video has received, when it really doesn’t present the gospel of sola fide. Understand, it's not completely vacant of biblical truth; but it more hints at the gospel in romantic, sentimental tones rather than boldly proclaim it. It is in the "language and method" of Arminian invitationalism (God really is crazy about you and is begging you, waiting for you to accept Him as your Savior) than in the "language" of the biblical gospel. It is what I call, "sloppy agape."
A friend of mine posted a stellar endorsement of this video which brought out some comments from myself and others that were not received with the theological affection that I would have hoped. But you need to decide for yourself.
Here is the link to this video. Watch it a few times and let me know what you think about it. Keep in mind the five points I sited below that for whatever reason Pastor Chan left out of this well made short-movie.
One brief comment before I begin: Though this video to me is problematic in some areas, want to affirm that Pastor Chan’s church website does offer some very helpful material to encourage you in your walk with the Lord. He seems to be very dedicated to the following non-negotiables as part of the biblical foundations for his church to: a high view of God; the authority and veracity of Scripture; and fulfilling the two Great Commandments by living them out daily. With such excellent pillars of truth, one only can wonder why this same care for biblical integrity in the presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ in his movie wasn't adhered to as well?
So please understand, that my concerns about of this video is in no way an indictment against this brother’s local church ministry. BUT, it should be a concern when any of us do not get the gospel right (Gal. 2:14).
IMHO, here are my heartfelt concerns with this video:
1. There is no mentioning or explanation of repentance from sin (Luke 24:46-47)
2. There is no mentioning or explanation of what it means to saved by grace through faith in Christ alone - justification by faith (Romans 3:21-26)
3. There is no mentioning or explanation of the Lordship of Christ; our submission to Him as Lord; or our confession of Him as Lord unto salvation (Acts 2:36-40; Romans 10:9-10)
4. There was not one mentioning of any Bible verse specifically in the entire video. A non-Christian who would watch this would have no idea where to look in a Bible to see if what Chan was saying was true. Pastor Chan used the language of "Jesus says..." or "God says..." or the "bible says..." But, he never told them where those things are said; and when he was trying to quote it himself, he usually misquoted it (2 Tim. 4:1-5).
5. But whatever concerns I have mentioned above, the absence of this concern is absolutely profound. There is no mentioning or explanation of the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Cor. 15:3-4; 12-18). Without the resurrection, our preaching and hope are "in vain." Without the including of this in the video, it renders whatever gospel presentation there was... "in vain."
And remember beloved, this is a pastor of a church who purposely is NOT including these things as essential for the proclamation of the gospel in this short-film. That is significant.
This video does not present a sufficient gospel that saves and it certainly is not the gospel according to Jesus, the Apostles, or the great divines of the 15th-19th centuries. But apart form all other concerns, the singular thing of leaving out the bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ makes the gospel this video tries to passionately present, no gospel at all.
IOW, Charles Finney would endorse, be proud of, and really like this video (and this in no way is to imply that Pastor Chan embraces Finney's skewed theology; but only an emotional methodological invitationalism reminiscent of Finney).
Sola Fide,
Steve
Romans 3:21-26 |
