A Disturbing Change
TimeWatch Editorial
June 03, 2016
According to his own biography, Joel J. Miller is a writer and editor with more than fifteen years of experience in the publishing industry. He is a vice president and publisher for Thomas Nelson, an imprint of HarperCollins. Added to this, he is currently the chief content officer for Michael Hyatt & Co. he says that his perspective is informed by the teaching tradition of the Eastern Orthodox Church. On June 17, 2015, Joel Miller published an article in his blog entitled: “One Danger in Rising Non-denominational Numbers.” Before identifying his concerns, he simply states the results of statistical analysis.
“While denominations are shedding members, nondenominational churches are growing. “Today, 6.2% of all adults (and 13% of Protestants) identify with nondenominational churches, up from 4.5% of all adults (and 9% of all Protestants) in 2007,” according to Pew’s recent Religious Landscape report. A related trend identified a few years ago by Duke University sociologist Mark Chaves is that Christians are “increasingly concentrated in the very largest churches.” Many of these are non-denominationals. In fact, “most of the top 100 largest churches in the United States are now nondenominational,” says Ed Stetzer, president of Life Way Research.” Joel J. Miller, “One Danger in Rising Non-denominational Numbers.”
After identifying this tremendous shift, he then proceeds to describe what he sees as the reason for the change. First he comments on the organizational structure.
“A number of cultural and economic factors roll into these trends, including consumerism. Larger churches have more resources to attract and retain members, difficult as that can be. As an acquisitions editor with Thomas Nelson I was privileged to see the inner workings of several mega churches by their pastors and their teams. Many of these operations are organizational wonders, staffed by earnest and top-quality people. It’s impossible to walk away unimpressed.” Joel J. Miller, “One Danger in Rising Non-denominational Numbers.”
In other words the organizational structure is compelling, corporate and service oriented in every detail. Notice he includes the idea of consumerism and the concept of the economic override as gripping. As wonderful as this might appear to be, however, his next conclusion is somewhat disconcerting.
“But there’s a potential danger here that needs attention. One of the things I also saw was a downplaying of doctrine. Not just doctrinal distinctives pertaining to denominational affiliation, which you would expect; But most of the doctrines. That is especially true for teachings that may come off as divisive, are difficult to understand, or lack a readily apparent and practical application to daily life.” Joel J. Miller, “One Danger in Rising Non-denominational Numbers.”
So Joel L. Miller, a writer whose perspective in fashioned by the Eastern Orthodox Church, recognizes that the so-called protestant churches of today have for the most part abandoned the fundamental doctrinal positions previously held. Miller quotes Allan Wolfe, in his book entitled: “The Transformation of American Religion” as saying:
“Faith is so important to them that “religion”—which they associate with discord and disagreement, and therefore, with doctrine—cannot be allowed to interfere with the exercise of faith. The feeling is characteristic of many. Wolfe shows how this works across the board, affecting fundamentalists, evangelicals, Pentecostals, and more. To encourage growth, programs and services proliferate (which is great), but statements or teachings that might cause confusion, controversy, or division are often softened or passed over.” Joel J. Miller, “One Danger in Rising Non-denominational Numbers.”
For the modern church then, doctrine separates. Faith, based upon an artificial, personal doctrine-less interpretation of who God is, allows for the constituent to relax in a semi-formal setting of worship which demands nothing more than a physical membership, financial commitment and presence. These now exist in a Jesus Only environment. But Mr. Miller warns:
“Yes, you better have Jesus. But no, that’s not all. For starters, you need the actual Jesus, and that involves doctrinal statements and formulae. You also need to know what he said, and that involves some challenging words preserved, parsed, interpreted, and presented by a long string of church theologians, hymnographers, and artists.” Joel J. Miller, “One Danger in Rising Non-denominational Numbers.”
If Mr. Miller and Mr. Wolfe can see this clearly, then we should be warned concerning the climate that exists. Selected Messages Volume 1, page 204 is quite specific.
“The enemy of souls has sought to bring in the supposition that a great reformation was to take place among Seventh-day Adventists, and that this reformation would consist in giving up the doctrines which stand as the pillars of our faith, and engaging in a process of reorganization. Were this reformation to take place, what would result? The principles of truth that God in His wisdom has given to the remnant church would be discarded. Our religion would be changed. The fundamental principles that have sustained the work for the last fifty years would be accounted as error. A new organization would be established. Books of a new order would be written. A system of intellectual philosophy would be introduced. The founders of this system would go into the cities, and do a wonderful work. The Sabbath of course, would be lightly regarded, as also the God who created it. Nothing would be allowed to stand in the way of the new movement. The leaders would teach that virtue is better than vice, but God being removed, they would place their dependence on human power, which, without God, is worthless. Their foundation would be built on the sand, and storm and tempest would sweep away the structure.” {1SM 204.2}
Be careful. Be very careful.
Cameron A. Bowen
