THE LORDS OF LAODICEA
by
Stephen T. Nieman

Chapter 3

Another popular argument put forward by the "lords of Laodicea" would go something like this: "Its our responsibility to spread the Word any way we can; it's God's responsibility to apply it to the hearts of the hearers." A typical proof text used to support this "end- justifies-the-means" mentality is Isaiah 55:11.

It should be noted that this reference is found in an eschatological context as opposed to a soteriological context. Nonetheless, what our Laodicean brothers are putting forward here is that if they can just get the Word out there, then it is God's purpose to use His Word to bring people to Christ. This is one of the manifestations of the Reformed theologians view of Sovereign Grace. What is expounded at great length in support of this supposition is in reality the most superfluous understanding anyone can have about an eternal, omniscient, omnipotent, holy, righteous God. Yet there are many who have so wrested even these superfluous truths that when they comprehend them they raise their hands in triumph, never realizing that there are higher pinnacles to be reached in understanding God's soteriological truth. Understanding the mystery and majesty of God's plan of redemption will always be wrestled by believers this side of Glory. Yet there are a number of passages which cast a distinct pall over the assertion that God's Word must be simply delivered, and that it is God's entire responsibility from there.

In the passage we see the instruction of Paul to the Corinthians. Note that the Corinthians had a number of rather grave problems in their church. Not the least of which was a relationship with their society around them which dishonored the Gospel of Christ. And again, the Apostle Paul, writing to the Church at Thessalonica says:

Note that in both these passages we see the intimate relation that God has chosen in using man to deliver the Gospel message. Sure, it is God who does the act of redemption; yet our ministry and way of life are part and parcel of the delivery of the Gospel.

If the contention of sowing the Word is the primary responsibility of the believer, then it is natural to appeal to the Scriptures to find an instance where this very issue is addressed. One of the more immediate contextual studies is the parable of the sower. The parable is given in a series of four illustrations. I will outline for you the four illustrations and their ensuing translations, given by the Lord Himself.

Interpretation:

In part one of this four-part parable, we see the word being sown; yet it is sown in a context where it is subject to Satanic activity (see Mark 4:15) . Note the ground upon which these seeds fell. It is called the "wayside." The idea here appears to be a type of ground that is uncared for or unattended. To me this would indicate that there was little or no teaching or personal ministry attached to the Word. The Word was sown; yet there was no teaching to support it.

Interpretation:

Again, in part two of this parable, we see the Word being sown, yet with dismal results, on what is termed "stony ground." The Scriptures elaborate on this "stony ground " by defining it as a place with very little earth. We see again the two defining elements in the successful propagation of the Word. The first is the tilth of the earth. The second is determined to be the root within the individual. The idea here appears to be that there is a necessity for someone to have at least a cursory understanding of God's Word for saving faith to take hold in his heart. It is the writer's contention that the long-term results of the Word being spread through the medium of Rock music would fall into one of these two categoriesthe wayside, or stony places. The first seed is sown in an arena of Satanic activity. The writer will contend later, in his section on Music Genre, that a Rock concert, Christian(?) or otherwise, is exactly the context wherein the fowls reside. Furthermore, if by chance the Word spoken is received, the teaching accompanying it is so dubious as to eliminate the possibility that it will result in saving faith.

Interpretation:

The third part of this parable reveals the insidious method of sowing the Word upon ground that has not been prepared with the truths of God's Word. There are two distinct characteristics within the presentation of this sterile gospel messagethe cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches. The health and wealth gospel presented by our television hirelings would be typical of this analogy. Every farmer will affirm this very basic truth. There are at least three, and often four, steps which must be taken before the seed is sown upon the ground. First the ground is plowed. The furrows left by the plowing are then disced. The clumpy soil composition left by discing is then cultivated and often rolled. It is only then that the farmer sows his seed. He has learned that it is fruitless to sow his good seed before there has been proper preparation of the soil. We find quite naturally the fourth part of this parable wholly supporting this thesis.

Interpretation:

At last! We have a seed that is sown in which the Word brought forth fruit. And the difference? The preparation or cultivation of the soil. This would concur perfectly with the early apostolic propagation of the Gospel message. In Acts chapter two, verse five, we find that the early church was comprised of devout Jews who were well versed in the Scriptures. Peter simply preached Christ crucified, risen and coming again to them. They accepted that Christ was the fulfillment of the Scriptures; they placed their faith in Him and were subsequently baptized. We find that the Apostle Paul consistently entered first into the synagogues of the various municipalities and expounded the Word unto these well-heeled Jewish theologians. Now the writer would in no wise contend that only those who hold Biblical degrees can be saved; no, the spiritual depravity within Biblical scholasticism would certainly prove that analogy incorrect. Rather, it is a consistent New Testament principle that some preparation from the Scriptures precedes salvation. So then a Biblical response to the contention by the elitist to simply spread the Word using whatever means is acceptable within the targeted community, would be the propagating of independent, separated, local (preferably Baptistic) churches.