Jay Lemke writes an excellent piece in this month's Modern Reformation entitled, "It's Time to Stop the Spiritual 'Bait and Switch.' "

Citing statistics from Barna Research (such as 75 percent of Americans believe that the Bible teaches that 'God helps those who help themselves' - a little wisdom from the non-Christian Ben Franklin), Lemke illustrates how Christians in America have grown ignorant not only of their Bible, but especially of the gospel. Today's pew sitters simply look to the church to meet their supportive needs instead of coming to hear the great news that God justifies the wicked (of which they are included, right beside me) .

"So what does the church do to combat this pathetic reality? The modern church, in all its human wisdom, has decided to be something it's not. For example, to show men that the church is masculine and cool, we plan things like rock climbing adventures and paint ball excursions; and we have conferences that teach men how to be better fathers and husbands. For women, it is much the same: Christianity is there to help you be a better wife, raise better kids, and have a more contented life. Not that there is anything wrong with these things per se, but it misses the main point by a mile."

Many may argue that in order to "Go unto the world," we've got to be able to offer something that the world needs. Lemke laments that churches have chosen in poor judgment to communicate the gospel under these false pretenses.

"We'll bring people in with music, food, fun, and games; and we'll make them think that being a Christian is about whatever interests them. We'll play on their felt needs, and we'll do research to determine what "seekers" want in a church.... Finally, after all of that work, once we have people in the church, we may eventually get around to telling them, 'oh, by the way, Jesus died for your sins.' "

He ends his article by reminding us that the Bible is not about improving ourselves, but how Jesus alone sets us right before a Holy God who is angry about our sin. He encourages churches to help their members realize just how much trouble they're in with God and how much God sacrificed to save them. It's only then that they'll be able to see the Bible as a collection of love letters and begin to enjoy reading - and rightly learning, I might add - the word of God.

It really is an excellent article.