Selling the Gospel

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is in and of itself sufficient to draw people to salvation. "If I be lifted up, I will draw all men to myself" declares Jesus in the Gospel of John. I firmly agree, which is why I get so very annoyed when I read about Churches that sell the Gospel, sell it out, manipulate people to gain it a hearing, and act in a way that is deeply offensive and un-theological. The First Baptist Church of Snellville, Georgia is guilty of exactly that. The Associated Press reports

So much for spaghetti suppers: The First Baptist Church of Snellville is fueling its membership drive with a sign in front of its sprawling campus proclaiming "Free Gasoline." There's a catch, of course. The offer is a not a giveaway. Instead, each time newcomers or members attend a church event during a Sunday-to-Wednesday revival they get a pink raffle ticket for a chance to win one of two $500 gas cards.

The Church doubtless thinks that it is helping the cause but in fact all they are doing is cheapening the gospel by selling it for a gas card. What's the Gospel worth? Apparently down in Georgia, just $500.

Perhaps the folk there are unaware of a simple fact: people who come to church for gas don't come to church for Christ. And when the raffle is over, those who came just to get some gas will be gone like the gas itself. Are there no theologians in the Church there to call this what it is? Is theological astuteness now a thing of the past in Snellville?

The Gospel is not for sale.