Expose’ on Promotionalism by Hayes K. Minnick

THE PERIL OF PHILISTINE PROMOTIONALISM: I Chronicles 13:1-14. In verses 1-6 we have a Popular Proposal Involving an Act of Popular Piety. The action contemplated was undertaken only after consultation among the leaders, verse 1. It was then submitted to the whole congregation for popular approval. "If it seem good unto you, (vs. 2) ...The thing was right in the eyes of all the people, (vs. 4)." There is no doubt that David and all the leaders of Israel were well intended. The program was undertaken with a great deal of enthusiasm. While the motive was right, the method was wrong. In verses 7-14 we have the adoption of a Philistine Precedent Involving a Perilous Penalty. Where did they ever get the idea of carrying the Ark of God on a cart? This was the method used by the Philistines in sending the Ark back to Israel in I Samuel 6:7ff. As a consequence of this worldly, fleshly method as adopted by the people of God a man lost his life, vs. 9 & 10. An accidental circumstance caused Uzza to touch the Ark. The purpose in so doing was completely worthy for all he intended was to balance the Ark and keep it from falling to the ground. For so simple an act he was smitten and slain on the spot. The average person would see nothing at all wrong in what Uzza had done. Yet, it is obvious that God saw something seriously wrong in it. The seriousness of the sin is indicated by the severity of the judgment. In touching the Ark, Uzza had profaned the Holiness of God. None but the priests were permitted to minister thereunto, and none but the Levites of the sons of Kohath were permitted to carry it, Numbers 3:10; 4:1-20. Who was responsible for the tragedy, the terrible tragedy that came to Uzza? David and the rest of the leaders of Israel. They were doing a right thing in a wrong way. In I Chronicles 15 they did it the right way. See particularly verse 2, 11-15. There is a perfect parallel today in the practice of those churches that resort to fleshly methods through the use of promotion programs, schemes and gimmicks which have no justification in the Word of God. Witness the giving out of green stamps, ice cream cones, lollipops, goldfish in plastic bags, cokes, hot dogs, hamburgers, etc., to get big crowds. Witness the promotion of special days - Old Fashioned Days, Baby Day, Picture Taking Day, Western Day, Orange Day, Give-Away Day, Disney Day - any kind of day, any kind of method that will serve the purpose of enabling one church to out build the other. At a Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia a boy's hand was partially blown off as a result of a cannon being loaded wrong. They were holding a mock civil war in order to draw the crowds. Sky-diving exhibitions, volleyball marathons, clowns riding bicycles through a church auditorium, weight lifting exhibitions - where in the Word of God is there any justification for this type of thing?

Is not the simple preaching of the Word of God in utter dependence upon the Holy Spirit sufficient to accomplish the conviction and conversion of lost sinners. Cf. II Timothy 4:2; Zechariah 4:6. Why resort to method of Philistine Promotionalism that profane the Holiness of God, cheapen the Gospel and in many instances, produces counterfeit converts. God never calls His servants to be hucksters or super-salesmen in the ministry of the Gospel - begging, bribing, co-ercing people into making decisions they never really intended to make. Ostensibly, the purpose in the use of such methods is to "win souls". While the motive would be right, such methods are nevertheless wrong. For if but one soul (as in the case of Uzza) be imperiled in the process, the endorsement and blessing of God cannot rest upon such a program. When churches are turned into Hollywood attractions, "Ichabod" is written over the doorway - "The Glory of the Lord is departed" - I Samuel 4:21. God's work must be done in God's way if it is to have God's blessing upon it. It must be done according to the Word!