One Way, or Many? Missions at Risk

by  R. Albert Mohler, Jr.                                                                                                       Vol. VI, No. 8, October 1993

[Al Mohler became president of Southern Seminary 1 July 1993. This article appeared as his editorial in the Georgia Christian Index 24 October 1991. Emphasis added.]

Southern Baptists and the larger evangelical movement are in the midst of a critical testing-time which will determine the strength and integrity of our Christian witness. Just as mission opportunities seem to spread around the globe like wildfire, many Christians seem uncertain of the missionary mandate. Are Southern Baptists among [the uncertain]?

Many nations once held in the iron grip of communism are now opening themselves to the larger world – and to the gospel. At the same time, the believing church must not waste time before increasing its ministries in the secularized West. The void in the lives of countless Americans and Europeans cries for substance. If Christians are not there to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, some other message will be preached in its place. Nothing else can explain the rampant re-paganization of western society.

Where is the church in the midst of this challenge? Remarkably, large portions of the church have effectively removed themselves from the battle. Some mainline protestant churches have adopted an official policy of "moratorium," which vastly reduced the number of missionaries sent to foreign lands. What stands behind this retreat? Nothing less than a fundamental shift in theological conviction. Put simply, many Christians simply do not believe that anyone is actually lost.

The essence of this belief is universalism, the belief that all persons will be saved, whether or not they have a relationship with Jesus Christ. Universalism presents itself in many forms. In its boldest form it is the absolute declaration that all persons will be saved (if indeed there is anything to be saved from). [Another conclusion of universalism is that] all religions have an equal claim to truth, and all lead to a common truth which underlies the religious quality of humanity.

The church throughout the ages has steadfastly resisted the temptation of universalism, because it is directly opposed to the clear teaching of Scripture. Claims of universal salvation through conflicting world religions simply cannot be squared with the Bible. Scripture presents Jesus Christ and His atoning work as our only means of salvation; His gospel as the only "good news" to a lost world; and that gospel as the global mandate of the church.

There is no room for universalism – whatever its form. By rejecting the finality of Jesus Christ and the integrity of His gospel, those who promote universalism are witnesses to another gospel, as Paul warned.

Given their commitment to the gospel, could evangelical Christians allow universalism to make inroads into their ranks? There are signs that this process is at work. It is found among those who, in the name of pluralism, seek to reduce the unique claim Christianity makes to truth. But it is also found among a growing number of evangelicals who now promote the idea of a second opportunity for saving faith after death.

Universalism is also found in evangelical churches. A good friend who leads a growing Southern Baptist church and who makes his evangelical convictions clear was recently accosted by a young person from his church who demanded that he, as pastor, stop talking about Christianity as the truth and instead speak of all religions as having some truth. "After all," the young lady continued, "those people who follow other religions are sincere too."

The young lady mistakes sincerity for salvation. We have received the gospel as the treasure of the church and its glorious burden to the world. Christians have no cause for arrogance, pride, or haughtiness. They have, however, a charge to keep – and not a message to change at will. Christians have no right to redefine the gospel to meet modern standards humans would [like to] apply to their own eternal destiny. We have the inescapable responsibility to preach, teach, and bear witness to the gospel.

Where will the church stand? A recent report indicates that at a recent Urbana missions conference (bringing together thousands of college-age young people), only a third of the participants indicated their belief that "a person who does not hear the gospel is eternally lost." As one missionary responded: "If two-thirds of the most missions-minded young people in America do not affirm the lostness of mankind, the Great Commission is in serious trouble!"

... fully 70% of all missionaries serving through the FMB in the year 2000 will have been commissioned in the 1990s. Are South ern Baptist churches preaching and teaching a gospel which will call out that kind of missionary commitment? It will come only by preaching the gospel of He who said: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6).