Paul held a seeker-sensitive service in Athens which is recorded in Acts 17:22-31. In his short, culturally relevant and contemporary sermon he never even uses the name of Jesus. He quotes a Greek poet more directly than scripture.
Paul was a Roman to the Romans, a Jew to the Jews. To the weak he became weak that by all means he might win some. (1 Corinthians 9:19-22) To the suburban Americans, the seeker-sensitive church has become suburban American.
Some people think that diminishes our call to holiness.
They said the same thing about Paul.
EXCELLENT points well put.
Thanks.
Qout, that's really good!(Acts17:22-31).
'Tis true Paul talked in such a way as his audience would understand him - that is a common trait and one we who witness and teach much follow. But I would not call his preaching in this scene "seeker sensitive". He told them who God is, that He needs not man, that God will judge the world, and that assurance to His chosen ones has been given by His being raised from the dead. Only One has been raised from the dead to give assurance of life. And seeker sensitive preaching centers on "feel good" for the lost soul, not clear proclamation of the Truth as Paul did on Mars Hill.
Always good to go to the source Document. Thanks for making so many aware of this most excellent portion of God's Word.
Speaking in terms that people understand isn't what seeker-sensitive means. For centuries missionaries have been doing as Paul has. But for some reason that isn't good enough for Rick Warren and his ilk anymore. In 90 percent of the cases, it means "don't COMMUNICATE or DO anything that makes them uncomfortable." Paul sure did a lot of uncomfortable preaching. As did Peter.
Imagine this scenario from Acts 2 (originally presented by Bob DeWaay in one of his radio broadcasts which can be heard at http://www.twincityfellowship.com/cic/downloads.php Scroll down to the links to the Radio shows links - the top two are critiques of the Purpose Driven Life. This story/idea is in part 1 of the critique and begins at around 11:20 into the mp3. All of this Bob DeWaay's articles on the subject are right on the mark.
Interviewer: How does this compare to the apostles' preaching?
Bob: Let's just imagine you're back at the day of pentecost, all right? All these Jews are gathered in Jerusalem where Jesus had been recently crucified, and God pours out his Holy Spirit on the people in the upper room. Peter comes out, the people are wondering what's going on and so Peter gets up and preaches to his fellow Jews. Now just imagine... if you have Acts 2 you can read this for yourself what really happened... just imagine Peter got up and says this: "You were created to bring pleasure to God, did you know that?" "Oh, no I didn't know that I was just..." "Well see you don't understand your purpose, if you don't understand your purpose, if you don't understand your life metaphor, how are you going to ever know what your destiny is? Let me explain, why don't you come with us and gather together and we'll have a little group to find out your purpose." Is that what happened on Pentecost? No. What did Peter actually do? For those of you that are in this Purpose Driven thing, you think about this please, it'll do you some good.
Interviewer: Now he was talking to religious Jews who were trying to do the right thing, right?
Bob: They were at Pentecost, they were obedient to that much, they traveled on this Pilgrim feast like they were supposed to do. He got up and he says this to them: "This Jesus ... whom you crucified God raised him from the dead." He indicted them. He told them that you had him crucified at the hands of godless men. This was the Messiah that was promised in the Old Testament Scriptures. This was the one who bodily ascended and sits at the right hand of God. And he indicted them and it says that they were stricken to the heart ... they were smitten in their hearts... they were convicted by the Holy Spirit. And then he said "Repent." He didn't invite them on a journey to find out their purpose, he preached the Gospel, and he specifically addressed what their sin was. Now on that day God saved thousands of people. Now there were many that didn't listen to Peter, and later persecution broke out on the apostles for preaching this kind of message. Stephen got up and indicted his hearers also of being guilty of the sins of their fathers, because they rejected the Holy One. And they stoned him."[end excerpt/transcript]
Acts 2 vv 13, 14: Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all [ye] that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
v 22-24
Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
v32,33
This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
vv36-43
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
Now when they heard [this], they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men [and] brethren, what shall we do?
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call.
And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand souls.
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.