Gospel Distortion

A massive, weathered stone basin filled with still water. clear water at the top, distinct layers of settled sediment at the bottom. a simple wooden oar rests against the rim. sunlight pierces the surface, illuminating the clarity. national geographic photography, hyper-realistic.

Hamline Church UMC (St. Paul, MN), Laodicea

The Illusion of Holy Calm: Why Social Activism Cannot Save Us

The sermon is well-crafted homiletically but theologically compromised. It suffers from Critical errors in Soteriology (Social Gospel) and Sacramental Theology (Radically Open Table). The pastor effectively addresses the congregation's emotional needs but fails to anchor these needs in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, instead offering a therapeutic deism that relies on human effort and social justice.

Biblical Parallel (Archetype): Laodicea — The sermon exhibits the characteristics of the Laodicean church: a self-centered, therapeutic deism that replaces the core Gospel of salvation with a focus on psychological comfort, social activism, and 'holy calm.' The teaching is lukewarm regarding the necessity of Christ's atoning work, substituting it with human effort in social justice and self-regulation.

February 2, 2026
Gospel Distortion / Mariah Tollgaard / Pastoral Coaching / Sacramental Integrity / Social Gospel

Vast arid landscape, solitary weathered stone monolith covered in indecipherable runic carvings, intense natural sunlight piercing heavy fog, vibrant resilient wildflowers blooming directly from a crack in the ancient rock base, photorealistic, national geographic style.

Laodicea, North Wilkesboro Presbyterian Church (North Wilkesboro, NC)

The Kingdom of Dignity: A Gospel or a Humanist Manifesto?

While the sermon offers a compelling moral exhortation to uphold human worth and care for the vulnerable, it fundamentally distorts the Gospel by replacing the message of salvation from sin with a message of humanitarian activism. The preaching is ethically sound but theologically hollow, failing to point to the cross as the source of true dignity and hope.

Biblical Parallel (Archetype): Laodicea — The sermon exhibits the characteristics of the Laodicean church: a self-centered, therapeutic deism that replaces the redemptive power of the Gospel with a message of self-actualization and social activism. By focusing on human dignity and societal improvement rather than the atoning work of Christ, the preaching is lukewarm regarding the true spiritual condition of humanity and the necessity of divine grace.

February 2, 2026
Gospel Distortion / Human Dignity / Kingdom Ethics / Laodicea / R.C. Griffin III / Social Gospel

Circular stone basin of uniform weathered grey rocks with faint, indecipherable runic carvings, center holds a unique, textured golden stone completing the circle, piercing sunlight, national geographic realism, 8k.

Laodicea, North Wilkesboro Presbyterian Church (North Wilkesboro, NC)

The Danger of Social Inclusion Over Gospel Repentance

While the sermon demonstrates a compassionate heart for the marginalized and neurodivergent individuals, it fundamentally distorts the Gospel by replacing the necessity of personal repentance and salvation from sin with a focus on social inclusion and humanitarian activism. This shift from redemptive grace to therapeutic acceptance constitutes a critical error in theological diagnosis.

Biblical Parallel (Archetype): Laodicea — The sermon exhibits the characteristics of Laodicea, a church characterized by self-centeredness and a therapeutic, anthropocentric focus. By replacing the biblical mandate for personal repentance and salvation from sin with a focus on collective humanitarian activism and social inclusion, the preaching has drifted into Therapeutic Deism. The message prioritizes social wholeness and community acceptance over the redemptive work of Christ, resulting in a lukewarm, self-referential gospel that lacks the transformative power of the cross.

September 15, 2025
Amanda Horan / Gospel Distortion / Luke 15 / Neurodiversity / Repentance / Social Gospel