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- The Dorian Principle, A Biblical Response to the Commercialization of Christianity, by Conley Owens Conclusion, a final word about the
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- Gospel The prophet Isaiah describes salvation as water that is offered without money and without price,
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- Isaiah 55 -1, and the Gospels Jesus explains he is the source of that living water,
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- John 7 .37. On the final pages of Scripture, John records the repeated assertion that the
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- Lord offers this water freely, Revelation 21 .6, 22 .17.
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- As we consider the relationship between money and ministry, there is nothing less at stake than the proper advancement of the
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- Gospel of Jesus Christ. If the Dorian Principle correctly summarizes the ministry fundraising ethic of the
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- New Testament, the implications are far -reaching. In regular church work and activity, this truth may round out some rough edges, but in other areas, it demands radical transformation.
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- Equipped with this one maxim, we may curb the commercialization of Christianity and usher in a new era of uncompromised ministry.
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- In the context of Gospel proclamation, accepting support as anything other than an act of co -labor compromises the sincerity of ministry.
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- The modern church has unintentionally gone astray, blindly following the model of the world.
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- What blessings await if we will reform our practices, calling ministers and ministries to repentance?
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- Its heads give judgment for a bribe, its priests teach for a price, its prophets practice divination for money.
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- Yet they lean on the Lord and say, is not the Lord in the midst of us? No disaster shall come upon us.
