"New Measures"

The term "New Measures" originated as a reference to new techniques of Christian persuasion that were developed during the so-called Second Great Awakening, beginning in about 1800.  The main figure in the development of the New Measures came to be Charles Grandison Finney.  His techniques involved the use of the "altar call," and the "anxious bench," which, along with the nature of the preaching, were used to stimulate supposedly spiritual responses to the preaching of the gospel.  The New Measures were seen as pragmatically usable by Finney and his disciples in all generations, and were practices that, if used, would not leave the church to a passive submission to divine sovereignty.  "Conversions" could essentially be manufactured.

The whole controversy introduced by Finney has never gone away, and in one form or another "new measures" have always been with us ever since.  There are even new "new measures" invented all the time.

One example of such new measures may be seen in the "seeker sensitive" church movement.  The idea here is that making the church like the world will attract the world.  Attracting the world will allow the gospel to be "snuck in," without causing too much offense.  People are seemingly told that to be a Christian is to be no different from the world - except for faith in Christ.  But, this cannot be in any way reconciled to Christ's call for total commitment to a life-style that is hated by the world.  The Incense of Prayer and the Holy Odor of Obedience are not seen.

We see the same thing in teen evangelistic ministry, if that ministry basically consists of a teen-sensitive "party," to which a little gospel exhortation is discreetly attached.

All these, and all things like them, are "new measures."

But, the gospel is not to be "snuck in" in the middle of social activities under cover of which it masquerades.  The gospel is preached straightforwardly:  Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and rose again on the Third Day, according to the Scriptures, and was seen by hundreds of witnesses, including the authorized apostles who have preached his word in the founding of his church, and whose writings speak this gospel to us today.  This same Jesus is coming again to judge the world in righteousness.  All who trust in him shall be forgiven, and cleansed from all their sins and will never be put to shame. 

Glory be to God!