No Human Adornment
Paul did not attempt to “dress up” the gospel with his own personality to make it more palatable to secular-minded people. Some who will reject the approach already described, yet believe the gospel can be glamorized by human presentation. They want the most eloquent speakers possible — men with dynamic personalities — men with “charisma.” They like to have those to do the preaching whose educational attainments or whose achievements in business or even on the stage will attract even the worldly minded. We once saw a full-page advertisement of a campaign, featuring a large picture of the speaker and listing in bold type his credentials: “Educator, Lecturer, Author, TV Personality, World Traveler and Promoter.” We have also heard the suggestion that the gospel can best be preached by a large and well-trained choir.
In contrast Paul wrote: “And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.”
“And I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. And my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men but on the power of God”(I Corinthians 2:1, 3-5).
Conclusion
It is obvious that the social gospel is “another gospel” and that the Lord’s “anathema” rests upon those who preach and practice it (Galatians 1:6-9). I urgently exhort churches of Christ and gospel preachers to preach the true gospel of Christ that will save men’s souls (Mark 16:16), not the damning social gospel. It is the work of the church to faithfully provide every opportunity for that gospel to be preached. My plea to those who are not Christians is: please accept the true gospel of Christ and receive the salvation of your souls (Romans 1:16). It is God’s power to save and offers hope for the most enriching life here on earth and in the world to come, eternal life.