“The idea of a progressive gospel seems to have fascinated many. To us that notion is a sort of cross-breed between nonsense and blasphemy. After the gospel has been found effectual in the eternal salvation of untold multitudes, it seems rather late in the day to alter it; and, since it is the revelation of the all-wise and unchanging God, it appears somewhat audacious to attempt its improvement. When we call up before our mind’s eye the gentlemen who have set themselves this presumptuous task, we feel half inclined to laugh; the case is so much like the proposal of moles to improve the light of the sun. Their gigantic intellects are to hatch out the meanings of the Infinite! We think we see them brooding over hidden truths to which they lend the aid of their superior genius to accomplish their development!” – C. H. Spurgeon from the April 1888 Sword and Trowel

For this old soldier, it is impossible to gaze across the landscape of today’s Christian church, and listen to what is nowadays called ‘gospel’, and NOT see what Spurgeon termed ‘progressive theology’. Call it ‘purpose driven’, ‘seeker friendly’, ’emerging’, or whatever suits your fancy, it boils down to a changing of the message of the Gospel. If there is a common thread that runs throughout these ‘new’ theologies, it is that they are all man-centered instead of God-focused.