Entertaining the Goats

In 1889, a man by the name of Archibald G. Brown (a student and contemporary of Charles Spurgeon) authored a work entitled “The Devil’s Mission of Amusement”.  Even though we may be tempted to believe that it is only in the modern age that we are seeing the plague of “amusement” infect our churches, it is clear from Mr Brown’s article that the church of his time also faced similar challenges.

In one part of Mr Brown’s article, he writes: “The devil has seldom done a cleverer thing - than hinting to the Church that part of her mission is to provide entertainment for the people with a view to winning them into her ranks. The evil nature which lies in every heart has risen to catch the bait. Here, now, is an opportunity of gratifying the flesh - and yet retaining a comfortable conscience. We can now please ourselves, in order to do good to others. The rough old cross can be exchanged for a ‘costume,’ and the exchange can be made with the benevolent purpose of elevating the people.”  I began with that excerpt from the article for good reason and it has to do with recent news from the United Kingdom.  As I outline what one church is doing to attract people to its ranks, you will marvel at how Mr Brown’s words fit perfectly, even down to the matter of a costume.

I would like to direct your attention to St Peter’s in Bradford, West Yorkshire.  They have teamed up with wrestling charity “Kingdom Wrestling” to hold wrestling matches in the church in order to encourage people to attend a worship service.  To ensure it has the appearance of a worship service they add prayer (which is done from within the wrestling ring) and worship time, but the main event is the wrestling match.  Reverend Natasha Thomas from St Peter’s told British newspaper The Times: “People may have a certain perception of what church can be, but actually church can be anything about worshipping God, and that can be having fun – and wrestling is part of that.”  Notice how true Mr Brown’s words turned out to be.  He said: “The rough old cross can be exchanged for a ‘costume’”.  Costume indeed!  You see, as part of the “show” they bring in a full wrestling ring along with scantily clad men and women in wrestling costumes!

Mr Brown has aptly described the church today, even though he wrote those words 135 years ago.  I wonder if he raises any other good points?  He certainly does.  In another part of his article he writes, “It is only during the past few years that ‘amusement’ has become a recognized weapon of our warfare, and developed into a mission. There has been a steady ‘down grade’ in this respect. From ‘speaking out,’ as the Puritans did, the Church has gradually toned down her testimony; then winked at and excused the frivolities of the day. Then she has tolerated them in her borders, and now she has adopted them and provided a home for them - under the plea of ‘reaching the masses and getting the ear of the people.’”  He has hit the mark again!  In her interview, Reverend Thomas said that she hoped the wrestling match would attract people who would never ordinarily go to church.  She also went on to say that it was a “wonderful opportunity” to open up the space to the public and said it demonstrated that the church was a “living building”.  I wonder if she has read Revelation 3:1?  Addressed to the church in Sardis, it reads, in part: I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 

But is this form of evangelism (if it can be called that) supported by Scripture?  Mr Brown did not believe so.  He went on to write: “My first contention is - that providing amusement for the people is nowhere spoken of in Holy Scripture as one of the functions of the church. What her duties are, will come under our notice later on. At present it is the negative side of the question that we are dealing with. Now, surely, if our Lord had intended His church to be the caterer of entertainment, and so counteract the god of this world - He would hardly have left so important a branch of service unmentioned. If it is Christian work, why did not Christ at least hint it? ‘Go into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature,’ is clear enough. So would it have been, if He had added, ‘and provide amusement for those who do not relish the Gospel.’” Certainly, he is right again!  I recall the Scriptures indicating that the Lord would raise up evangelists, pastors and teachers.  I do not recall entertainers being included in that list!

Perhaps, as Mr Brown contends, the church has introduced godless entertainment to avoid being persecuted by the godless.  He writes: “Were the prophets persecuted because they amused the people - or because they refused to? The Gospel of amusement has no martyr roll. In vain does one look for a promise from God - for providing recreation for a godless world. That which has no authority from Christ, no provision made for it by the Spirit, no promise attached to it by God - can only be a lying deceit, when it lays claim to be ‘a branch of the work of the Lord.’”

Mr Brown has highlighted a prominent issue facing the church today – prioritising entertainment over evangelism; distraction over doctrine; tickling over teaching; playing over prayer.  The remnant church has given itself to the Lord’s service to feed the sheep.  The remainder seem to be content with amusing the goats.  They may not see anything wrong with this but let me end with a piercing quote from Mr Brown once again: “Yet, when many of His disciples turned away, because of the searching nature of His preaching, I do not find there was any attempt to increase a diminished congregation, by resorting to something more pleasant to the flesh. I do not hear Him saying, ‘We must keep up the gatherings at any cost! So run after those people, Peter, and tell them we will have a different style of service tomorrow! Something very short and attractive, with little, if any, preaching. Today was a service for God, but tomorrow we will have a pleasant evening for the people. Tell them they will be sure to enjoy it, and have a pleasant time. Be quick, Peter! We must get the people somehow; if not by Gospel, then by entertainment!’ No, this was not how He argued.”

Jesus made clear His formula for sharing the good news – evangelism, yes.  Entertainment, no.