USGN Article  - September 2004
Written by Barbi Franklin

"Feeding Sheep or Amusing Goats?"

Recently, I was deeply moved and convicted by reading some historical writings by a famous and highly revered Christian theologian and minister of the 19^th century.  I thought to myself how many times I have allowed tolerance to silence me.

Our society loves tolerance, and the church isn’t much different.  We’ve replaced the words “repentance” and “sin” with a cheap grace and a cut-rate forgiveness.  Repentance and sin are words that need to stay in our vocabulary!  An overemphasis on grace – apart from a corresponding need for repentance will almost always lead us to be double-minded – walking in carnality and a lukewarm spirituality. Let me ask you, “Are things getting better in the Church…or are we sliding the other direction?”

And this “slide” has gotten me thinking about “entertainment” in the modern church.  It seems to be an accepted term in the church, especially as it relates to music.  This is not a concept that’s historically been accepted through the ages.  In fact, Charles H. Spurgeon, the great British theologian, wrote about the growth of entertainment in the Church throughout his life-time. (1834-1892)

In an article called, "Feeding Sheep or Amusing Goats?" he wrote the following:

“An evil is in the professed camp of the Lord, so gross in its impudence, that the most shortsighted can hardly fail to notice it during the past few years. It has developed at an abnormal rate, even for evil. It has worked like leaven until the whole lump ferments. The devil has seldom done a cleverer thing than hinting to the church that part of their mission is to provide entertainment for the people, with a view to winning them.”

From speaking out as the Puritans did, the church has gradually toned down her testimony, then winked at and excused the frivolities of the day. Then she tolerated them in her borders. Now she has adopted them under the plea of reaching the masses.

My first contention is that providing amusement for the people is nowhere spoken of in the Scriptures as a function of the church. If it is a Christian work, why did not Christ speak of it? "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). That is clear enough. So it would have been if He had added, "and provide amusement for those who do not relish the gospel."  No such words, however, are to be found. It did not seem to occur to Him.”

Had Spurgeon lost his mind?!  No, I’d rather think WE have.  For the rest of his paper, you may contact our office at franklins AT familyrevival DOT com

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