OPPOSITION;
CHURCH: RELIGIOUS GAME; TRUTH: NECESSITY OF RESPONSE

Bible exposition without moral application raises no opposition. It is only when the hearer is made to understand that truth is in conflict with his heart that resistance sets in. As long as people can hear orthodox truth divorced from life they will attend and support churches and institutions without objection. The truth is a lovely song, become sweet by long and tender association; and since it asks nothing but a few dollars, and offers good music, pleasant friendships and a comfortable sense of well-being, it meets with no resistance from the faithful. Much that passes for New Testament Christianity is little more than objective truth sweetened with song and made palatable by religious entertainment.

Acts 4:16–17; 1 Corinthians 9:16; Philippians 1:27–28

Of God and Men, 27.