A new variety of church-growth movement is squarely upon us.  It decisively attempts to illegitimize any attempt at “doctrinal wall-building” for fear of excluding those frankly, who are unwilling to believe.  This sentiment has found itself at home in an increasing number of churches in recent years; being a boon to church growth (numerically) by removing those pesky doctrinal encumbrances which often cause people to seek membership elsewhere.

“Our very survival is at stake,” we are told.  The church, it is suggested, is to be about “tearing down walls” rather than building them; having entered into a “new” church-age whereby we focus attention copiously on harmony with others rather than differences.  Commonalities draw us together.  Differences divide us.  The church is to be a place of unity, fellowship and cohesion.  Anything that combats such a state of unanimity is quickly expelled as discordant, contentious and sinful.  (Sadly, about the only “sin” that can be agreed upon in our modern user-friendly church culture is that of being disruptive to the alliance of “group sentiment.”)  Such division, of course, is seen as a direct path to the most horrific sin of all: exclusivism. Continue Reading