Starts with S and ends with TUPID

A local congregation is hosting a 'Summer Youth Series' next week. Flyars went out via the internet to all the area congregations; on that flyar was an indication of the speakers and activities as well as a picture of an ice cream cone with the words 'DillyBars and Pizza will be provided'. Perhaps a bit silly, but perfectly sensible for a typical youth group gathering.

Naturally, in this day and age when criticism in the Church of Christ is almost instantaneous, somebody got mad. One of the preacher/elders from one of the extremely conservative congregations in the area emailed everybody (of course, not going first and only to the church he had a problem with) about how evil and sinful this was. Let me quote some of his e-mail:

The social gospel has virtually replaced the gospel of Christ in the liberal churches of Christ… The above flyer shows that more grapically that I would have ever believed.

If you were in the first century would you have been substituting a tamed down drawing of the crucifixion of Jesus then inviting people to witness the pain of Jesus by offering them free dilly bars! Can’t you guys see how you have “cheapened” the blood bought gospel?

Paul spoke to this directly.

Philippians 3

17. Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.

18. For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, {that they are} enemies of the cross of Christ,

19. whose end is destruction, whose god is {their} appetite, and {whose} glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.

Free pizza and dilly bars? Paul spoke of this in weeping. This is certianly not following his example! Can’t you see the damage you are doing? People on the outside just think Christianity is a party! They think we are a carnal people revelling in self righteousness.

You are obviously catering to the appetite and glorying in your own shame. The sad thing is that there is no appearance of shame. How could you ever deny that this if focused on earthly things. It is as carnal as anything I hve ever seen.

Wow. It's rare that I see scripture abused as badly as this, but what makes it even more sad is the tone of utter self-righteousness that this brother has. Providing food for kids is now equivalent to the social gospel of liberalism? Having a youth gathering is now the equivalent to Christianity just being a party?

I suppose if the church was breaking bread or having loaves and fishes divided things would be all right with this preacher...then again, I'm sure he would have found plenty of time in the first century to rebuke Jesus himself for feeding people and going to parties of sinners.

One final irony...like a lot of emails now at the bottom there is a little line about 'no virus was found in the incoming message'. Um, maybe not in the technical sense, but spiritually, this guy is viral as anybody I've run across in awhile.