Leonard Sweet writes, “Invitation to discipleship is not made through propositions or arguments, but with feelings, moods, music, and energy” (Soul Tsunami, 215).

How can we communicate the gospel of Jesus Christ apart from propositional truths? Some in the Emerging Church argue that the gospel should be communicated through actions and stories. Obviously, actions alone will fail to communicate the gospel alone. The actions of Jesus Himself were misinterpreted by many of the Jews. As far as stories are concerned, the gospel message is found in the context of the story found in the Gospels. Paul, however, delivered the gospel with propositional truths. Stories themselves disseminate propositional truths. For instance, Jesus’ death on the cross is part of the gospel story. The fact that Jesus died on a cross is a propositional truth claim.

Sweet argues that “feelings, moods, music, and energy” are all that is required to lead someone to Christ and on to Christian maturity presumably. Where does the Bible support Sweet’s propositional truth claim? Look at Paul–He used propositional truth in his communication and backed it up with his lifestyle. 

At another points, Sweet states, “There is no biblical ordering of the church into ‘clergy’ and ‘laity'” (Ibid., 218).

This statement is dangerous. On the one hand, any good baptist would readily concede given the doctrine of Priesthood for All Believers. All Christians are called to join in the mission of Christ. All parts of the Christian Body (Church) are necessary and equal. There is, however, a difference in the burden placed on each Christian. The burden placed on the pastor is heavier. In calling a pastor, churches want to make sure that his life agrees with the requirements of Scripture. These requirements are far higher than the requirements for a member to join (in almost all churches). Bottom line, the burden and the call of a given church member is not the same and a certain amount of respect is in order.

Finally, Sweets argues for the personalization of truth in Christ: “Truth is not a principle or a proposition but a Person. Truth is not rules and regulations but a relationship. God did not send us a statement but a Savior. God did not send us a principle but a Presence” (Ibid., 385).

Jesus is most certainly the Truth. But how do we know who Jesus is apart from the testimony of Scripture which is found in propositional truths within stories or otherwise? Sweet is presenting a false dichotomy. Rules and regulations, found in Scripture, are divinely revealed propositional truths that must serve as guidelines for a right relationship with the Holy God. To love God is to obey Him. How can we obey Him apart from these directives?