THAT GOD MAY HEAL

In 1756 John Wesley wrote out his exhortations for pastors in his charge in a booklet entitled Address to the Clergy. 

And let's just say Wesley had high standards for preachers. 

For instance: Along with his studies of Greek and Hebrew and Latin and various sciences, the ideal preacher should also have "some knowledge of geometry".

I kid you not.

Nevertheless, I did find within Wesley's Address some advice that would set the American church back on a proper course, if it were to be followed. Wesley says the pastor must be kind but tough. Never shrinking away from confronting sin:

"Should not compassion, should not tenderness, hinder us from giving pain? Yes, from giving unnecessary pain. But what manner of tenderness is this? It is like that of a surgeon who lets his patient be lost because he is too compassionate to probe his wounds. Cruel compassion! Let me give pain, so I may save life. Let me probe, that God may heal."

Progressive Christianity pats American culture on the head and says, "God loves you just the way you are."

This has the appearance of love and compassion, but it is not. 

Let the pastor probe, that God may heal.