Notable preacher and author Francis Chan implored churches to be willing to proclaim the Gospel without sugarcoating it, declaring that “Jesus had no problem losing the crowds.”
In a speech given as part of the Q Commons event on Thursday, which was broadcast to several locations in the United States and internationally, Chan preached on 2nd Corinthians 4:2-4.
“We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God,” reads the passage.
Chan admitted to struggling with the passage, noting that the Bible calls on churches, lamenting that “in this day in age, You want me to just say it directly, rather than nuance it carefully?”
“Paul had no problem with just saying ‘I’m just going to lay it all out, because if you don’t get it, it’s because the god of this world is blinding your minds,’” said Chan.
Chan believed that churches in the United States need to do a better job of teaching “the fear of God” and that “there is a judgment that’s coming,” noting that the Bible is “so much about the judgment of God.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to not talk about a fear of God, not to talk about His holiness, and just kind of slowly talk to them about their needs, their hurts, their feelings?” he commented, believing that some seek “to leave that stuff” about judgment and fearing God “for later.”
“Jesus had no problem losing the crowds. We’re infatuated with numbers. Jesus wasn’t.”
Chan was critical of the claim that it was better to water down preaching the Gospel in order to reach a broader audience, responding “why didn’t Jesus do that?”
“God wants His church to be pure,” added Chan.