Avoiding Moralism in Evangelism and Discipleship Practices
Avoiding moralism in evangelism and discipleship involves focusing on the core message of Christ crucified rather than on human rules or traditions. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently warned against deviations from the central tenets of faith. For instance, in 2 Timothy, the instruction to "do the work of an evangelist" is explicitly defined as preaching "Christ crucified for the sins of the whole world," emphasizing that this alone constitutes the work of proclaiming the glad tidings of peace and salvation [1]. This suggests that the essence of evangelism is the declaration of Christ's saving work, not a list of moral injunctions.
Similarly, in 1 Timothy, believers are urged to "refuse profane and old wives' fables" and instead "exercise thyself rather unto godliness" [2]. John Gill interprets these "fables" as potentially referring to Jewish traditions, Gnostic ideas, or "doctrines of demons" that forbid marriage and command abstinence from certain foods. These are deemed "profane" and "foolish and impertinent" when compared to the "words of faith and good doctrine" [2]. This highlights a distinction between genuine godliness, rooted in faith, and external regulations or speculative teachings that can distract from the true message.
Matthew Henry, commenting on Titus, advises avoiding "idle and foolish enquiries" that do not contribute to God's glory or edification [3]. This counsel underscores the importance of focusing on "needful questions" that lead to "improvement in useful knowledge" rather than engaging in debates that are unproductive or divisive [3]. Such avoidance of trivial or contentious matters helps maintain a focus on the substantive aspects of faith and practice.
Furthermore, the New Testament cautions against those who might "spoil" or "despoil" believers of the Gospel's riches, suggesting that false teachers act as "thieves and robbers" who seek to remove the truths and doctrines of Christ [5]. This warning in Colossians emphasizes the need to guard against teachings that undermine the core message of salvation and replace it with human-made systems or philosophies [5]. The emphasis remains on the transformative power of Christ rather than a mere adherence to moral codes. Adam Clarke's commentary on 1 Thessalonians also warns against despising "prophesyings" or continuous instruction, noting that those who neglect the means of grace often become "vain, empty, self-conceited people" [4]. This suggests that true spiritual growth comes from consistent engagement with God's word, not from a self-sufficient moralism.
Sources
- 2 Timothy (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Timothy 4:5: But watch thou in all things - It is possible to be overtaken in a fault, to neglect one's duty, and to lose one's soul. Watching unto prayer prevents all these evils. Endure afflictions - Let no sufferings affright thee; nor let the dread of them either cause thee to abandon the truth, or relax in thy zeal for the salvation of men. Do the work of an evangelist - That is: Preach Christ crucified for the sins of the whole world; for this, and this alone, is doing the work of an evangelist, or preacher of the glad tidings of peace and salvation by Christ. An angel f”
- 1 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Timothy 4:7: But refuse profane and old wives' fables,.... Either Jewish ones, the traditions of the elders; or those of the Gnostics, concerning God, angels, and the creation of the world; or those doctrines of demons, and which forbad marriage, and commanded abstinence from meats before mentioned; which are called profane, because impious and ungodly, and old wives' fables, because foolish and impertinent; and which were to be rejected with abhorrence and contempt, in comparison of the words of faith and good doctrine. And exercise thyself rather unto godliness; either to th”
- Titus (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Titus 3:9: Here is the fifth and last thing in the matter of the epistle: what Titus should avoid in teaching; how he should deal with a heretic; with some other directions. Observe, I. That the apostle's meaning might be more clear and full, and especially fitted to the time and state of things in Crete, and the many judaizers among them, he tells Titus what, in teaching, he should shun, Tit 3:9. There are needful questions to be discussed and cleared, such as make for improvement in useful knowledge; but idle and foolish enquiries, tending neither to God's glory nor the edif”
- 1 Thessalonians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Thessalonians 5:20: Despise not prophesyings - Do not suppose that ye have no need of continual instruction; without it ye cannot preserve the Christian life, nor go on to perfection. God will ever send a message of salvation by each of his ministers to every faithful, attentive hearer. Do not suppose that ye are already wise enough; you are no more wise enough than you are holy enough. They who slight or neglect the means of grace, and especially the preaching of God's holy word, are generally vain, empty, self-conceited people, and exceedingly superficial both in knowledge a”
- Colossians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Colossians 2:8: Beware lest any man spoil you,.... Or despoil you; rob you of the rich treasure of the Gospel, strip you of your spiritual armour, take away from you the truths and doctrines of Christ, and divest you of your spiritual privileges and blessings; suggesting, that the false teachers were thieves and robbers, and men of prey: or drive and carry you away as spoils, as the innocent harmless sheep are drove, and carried away by wolves, and by the thief that comes to steal, to kill, and destroy; intimating, that such as these were the heretics of those times; wherefore it ”