The Next Biblical Flood

I watched a video today that really gave me pause. It wasn’t over the top loud or obnoxious considering how the video was original posted. It was about three minutes long and consisted of an open air preacher being asked to stop preaching because he was making people mad or angry. The internet is full of open air preachers making complete fools of themselves with their screaming and shouting, but that doesn’t appear to be the case in this video. No, what gave me pause was he was being asked to stop by another Christian.

The woman asking the preacher to stop preaching does make some really good points. When teaching or preaching openly we as Christians should be mindful how we are affecting those around us. We don’t always need to start a riot to be effective in spreading the good news. If it were the case that this preacher were shouting and screaming fire and brimstone there wouldn’t be a question, we cannot do that. However, the only person stirring up any commotion was the woman.

Jesus calls upon us to be points of light in a dark world. While demonstrating our love for God by how we live is a good start, there is nothing wrong with responsibly sharing the good news openly. In fact Mark 16:15 states we should proclaim the good news to all of creation.

Wakening a heart that is suffering from spiritual rigamortis will cause some discomfort or even occasional confrontation; does that mean we should just be silent? The crowds Jesus preached to rejected his message time and time again.  If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. John 15:18.
While we should not ride into town on our white horses throwing bibles and inciting riots with the good news; watering down the Gospel as to spare peoples’ feelings only makes us wishy, washy Christians.