Bleeding of the Evangelical Church

by David F. Wells

This material was first delivered at a Convention of the National Association of Evangelicals who have kindly assisted in the publication. Much fuller treatment of the same themes will be found in the author s influential books, No Place for Truth and God in the Wasteland.

Genres: Theology

16 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1995

About the author

David F. Wells (PhD, University of Manchester) is the Distinguished Senior Research Professor at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

In addition to serving as academic dean of its Charlotte campus, Wells has also been a member of the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization and is involved in ministry in Africa.

He is the author of numerous articles and books, including a series that was initiated by a Pew grant exploring the nature of Christian faith in the contemporary, modernized world.

Reviews

[Jacob Wischoff]

I truly enjoyed this short booklet by David F. Wells. His argument is that evangelicalism is being reformatted to fit the needs of the culture rather than standing on the principles and timeless truth found in God’s word. It’s very interesting as Wells points out how changes such as how those who are coming into the church being seen by the staff of the church, how the church sees their role and what is being praised in our church and Christian experience has dramatically affected what evangelicalism in our country looks like. Wells gives two remedies to these issues and because I would like you to read this piece, I will refrain from sharing it. Enjoy!

[Raymond Benitez]

A short discourse on issues facing the modern evangelical church. Written in 1995, after 20 years his criticisms on the profesionalization of the ministry and the Western church’s misplaced effort to maintain Christianity’s acceptance by the mainstream culture have been proven true.

It was an extremely helpful read because it prepares readers for what to expect when faced with the temptation to confuse commercial success with gospel success.

[Jake Each]

YES!!! I think I underlined most of this book, good thing it is more of a booklet so I didn’t run out of ink.

[Ben Hegan]

Stirring. Pertinent for all of us who call ourselves evangelical. Here is a very clear diagnosis of the issues and also the solution to the issues. Despite being published well before I was born (1965), it is very relevant today. I will be recommending this to my friends and speaking about these things within my denomination because these are critical matters to address if we want a sound Evangelical or even Reformed Church to exist in say 50 years from now. Highly recommended.

[Robert Smith]

This was a good essay but it could be longer and somewhat clearer. I have several questions: "What is sin?" "How do you define reconciliation with God?" "How do you explain what the church is as defined in the Bible?" And so on. Answers to these questions and more would make the essay longer and better instead of assuming that everyone reading has the exact same definition or theology as the author. I do primarily agree with Wells that there is something wrong with the church these days...

[Jonathan Roberts]

Though the illustrations are dated (Madonna!) and the book is now almost 30 years old the argument is true and has been proved true over and over again. The “selling” of Christ through felt needs still is rampant and not showing signs of stopping. Good analysis

[Joshua]

Truly prescient. This was a surprisingly good essay.

Wells’ thesis is simple: The church has capitulated to the ethos of the age. Instead of letting theology guide practice, the church has been shaped by pop culture.

Wells argues that there have been subtle changes taking place in recent decades. He mentions examples such as churches adapting all their energies to felt needs and primarily being about the business of delivering products, experiences, activities, and amenities. It’s a focus on personal well being instead of personal salvation that is being preached from pulpits, he says. Wells also argues that the theological beliefs which should govern and guide the central truth claims of the church are seldom discussed with any kind of meaning. It’s not that they are denied, but “they have little cash value. They don’t matter…An evangelical faith that is not passionate about truth and righteousness is a faith which is a lost cause” (11). He believes two recoveries are necessary: the lost word and the lost vision. Simply put, the inspired and sufficient word of God and a robust knowledge of the holiness of God must be brought back to the fore. “May God give us the willingness…to think large thoughts of him and his truth and may he enable us to disentangle our faith from the culture in order that we might freshly re-engage the culture out of passionate concern for truth and righteousness” (16).

[Michael Beck]

A tiny book on a huge problem.

[Reagan]

This booklet is more relevant today than it was when Wells wrote it in ‘95. The church must perform a surgery upon itself, the cancer of relevance and marketing oneself has totally engulfed the church. We must be *the church* “regardless of the cultural consequences.” In an attempt to market the church to a nation of consumers, we have cheapened what we have to offer. Wells has given us a diagnosis of our status as a church in ‘95, and the cancer has only grown since.

[Funmi]

Very quick read, took me half an hour.
He brought up many generally valid points that should make us sober minded and prompt us to "rearrange our appetites" and act against the evangelical world mimicking or becoming a reflection of the corporate world. Essentially, it is a call to reform and be faithful.

[Chris Comis]

Some big disagreements with Wells at places, but a decent book overall.