What is the Seeker Sensitive Movement?

Written by Charles Bedwell

Have you ever heard of the modernly popular Seeker-Sensitive Movement? Today's watered-down professing Christian ensemble follows so many different paths, believing that there are "many different ways" to reach Heaven, which is a "different gospel" (Galatians 1:8). Now, you will see me say the words "professing Christians" a lot, because that is exactly what I mean. A person simply "saying" he is of Christ does not necessarily make it so. There are many deceitful movements the Devil has used to actually convince the supposed Christian groups to merge WITH the world, when ironically it is the Church that should be always separate from and preach TO the world - that the Holy Spirit may convict them of their sins and turn TOWARD Jesus. One of these such deceitful movements is the seeker sensitive movement.

2 Timothy 4:3-5 ...'For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.'

What is Paul saying to Timothy here? He's showing that over time, the majority of the group claiming to be Christian will eventually turn from the truth and accept "feel good" doctrines. Doctrines that allow them to profess the name of Jesus and still be 100 percent in harmony with the world. Ask yourself: Is this the general consensus regarding modern Christianity throughout all of the world today?

The Seeker Sensitive Movement is also very similar to "The Emerging Church" (a very fitting name). The Emerging Church typically describes a broad movement that seeks to use culturally sensitive techniques and marketing principles in order reach the "un-churched" majority. For the most part, these two movements are one in the same, except that the Seeker-Sensitive churches tend to focus more on using worldly programs to reach people, while the Emerging churches allocate their entire message mostly catering to peoples' particular lives. Both groups generally teach that those outside of Christianity will also be saved, and that Jesus is not the only way to Heaven. BOTH of these beliefs, however, are completely wrong, my friends! Jesus IS the ONLY way to our Father!

Shouldn't we reach those outside by preaching the TRUTH? Isn't that what God wants?

John 14:6 ...'Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.'

John 10:9 ...'I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.'

Taking a Walk Through Modern Christianity

Growth in numerical value is the goal of this Seeker Sensitive Movement. They believe that with smart corporate marketing strategies and pop-sensational social customs, they can reach large numbers of people. Because the teachings of the Bible are not appealing to the world, the true Gospel is fully shrouded in an attempt to not "offend" anyone. Think about how similarly close this Christian movement is with the New Age teachings of today. The New Age teachings portray MAN'S abilities to make HIS OWN destiny, to live frivolously and to "use his own power" to create his own wealth and happiness. Rick Warren, Joel Osteen, and so many others teach that everyone can be won to Christ and that the majority of the world will be saved. If you are a student of scripture, though, you know that this is contrary to what our Bible teaches us. What does Jesus say about the world and what does He teach about the Christian life?

Matthew 7:13-14 ...'Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and FEW there be that find it.'

Jesus never, ever taught a flowery, seeker-sensitive gospel to the people. He taught us that following Him leads to you picking up your own cross, going through trials, going through difficulties, being tempted by the enemy, suffering persecution, and in many cases - being martyred. He also shows here that despite the teaming numbers of people in the world and the large number of people professing to follow Him, only FEW will walk the straight and narrow path to everlasting life.

The most dangerous aspect of the Seeker Sensitive Movement is that it encourages the unity of all beliefs, very much like the Papacy's ecumenical movement. The Seeker Sensitive Movement teachers teach that "All paths lead to God" and that we shouldn't concern ourselves much with Bible prophecy, and that the prophesies can be interpreted any way you like. This slothful doctrine allows the Devil to make the professing followers of Jesus and those of the world indistinguishable.

LARRY KING: "If you believe you have to believe in Christ? They're wrong, aren't they?"

JOEL OSTEEN: "Well, I don't know if I believe they're wrong."

Now why would a "supposed" man of God say something like this? If we read above that Jesus is the ONLY way to our Father in Heaven, then Mr. Osteen should have proclaimed an emphatic "Yes, Jesus IS the only way!" But this is the problem though. Mr. Osteen in particular stands in front of thousands of people at his Lakewood congregation every Sunday morning - having a humble, relatable, easy-going, generous appearance - deceiving local viewers and millions who view him on television into believing that there isn't just one way to Heaven, that "God loves you for WHO YOU ALREADY ARE", and that there is no need for any change. Well did the scriptures continue to warn us of these slippery words from these false preachers?

2 Timothy 3:1-5 ...'This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.'

Titus 1:10-11 ...'For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.'

Ephesians 5:6-7 ...'Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.'

Jude 1:16-19 ...'These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage. But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.'

Do you see? Scripture warns us that unsound doctrine would be taught to the people, appealing to peoples' senses. We are told to NOT take part with them or this type of teaching.

2 Corinthians 6:17 ...'Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.'

Have you ever heard of Amillennial Theology, or "Dominionism"? It basically teaches that there will be no literal 1000-year reign of Jesus after the Resurrection, that the world will be Christianized BEFORE Jesus comes back. Not only is this doctrine completely Biblically false, but it is also very dangerous. It directly plays into the Papacy's ecumenical movement - convincing the modern Christian world that God will be on THEIR side in THIS life, restoring the Kingdom in our time in this fleshly world. This very belief will be what leads modern followers of the Antichrist to actually persecute God's TRUE people during the time the Beast's Mark is enforced.

Some Closing Thoughts

For this world-friendly Christian movement of today, it is all a game of numbers, no different than a merchant trying to sell a new product on the streets. Two primary churches in America today propagating these false teachings are the Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago and the Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California.

Have you been to a "Christian" bookstore lately? It is really interesting to see just how much these feel-good teachings have taken over even the bookstores. You will find very few varieties of books in their stock. What you WILL find are many, many books written by very FEW authors, most of which are about the same teachings - "self-help" feel goodness. These people teach, "God WANTS you to be prosperous in everything you do in this life! He WANTS you to be happy and to experience life!"

As with every method the Devil uses to deceive, you will distinctly see a hint of "truth mixed with error", the Devil's perfect concoction. Sure, God wants us to be happy, but He does NOT teach us to merge with the world, to live worldly lifestyles, or to put our focus on THIS life, friends! The leaders of this popular seeker sensitive movement will try to illustrate that Jesus even wants us to be prosperous in this life, wrongfully using John 10:10 to advocate this false teaching:

John 10:10 ...'The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.'

Think carefully about the words used in this scripture, these powerful words. What is it that the thief, our enemy, has to come to "steal" from us, to destroy from us, something he will never have?? ETERNAL LIFE!! The Devil couldn't care less about how quickly he could destroy you or steal from you in THIS life. He very well knows that this life quickly comes and goes for man, and what he could take from you here will perish in time anyway! What he wants to TAKE from you is the life that our Loving Father wants to give to you. So, knowing this wonderful truth, read carefully the last part of verse 10 again.

"I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

So is our Lord Jesus telling you that He wants you to be more prosperous in this life? Of course not! Jesus knows that if we become more wealthy, then our focus turns away from the kingdom of heaven, to this world. Which is why He said in Matthew 19 that it is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom. What Jesus really meant is that He has come so YOU may have eternal life with Him in heaven and on the new earth, which will be the most magnificent and abundant life beyond anything you could ever dream of!

Let us begin living for the life we cannot see at this time, the life being prepared for the faithful servants of our God.

Matthew 6:19-21 ...'Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.'

If our hearts are solely fixated on what we can gain or acquire in this life, then that will be the full extent of what we can ever have. But if our hearts and our eyes are in tunnel vision for Heaven, then our lives will fully reflect that - and our Loving God will bestow upon us what He promised us!

Our Lord warned us this would happen, that in the last days, the majority of the people "proclaiming" to follow Him would be lukewarm. What is the warning He gives us?

Revelation 3:15-19 ...'I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.'

If we read this with caution, I believe there is a double meaning to this. This isn't just a warning to the professing believers who believe they are secure because of having financial prosperity, but also a warning to those who are lukewarm SPIRITUALLY, believing they are in need of no additional spiritual guidance from the Holy Spirit - being puffed up with pride for themselves. We are NEVER without need of our Lord's guidance! In fact, the closer we draw toward Jesus, the MORE we need Him WITH us! What is "gold refined in the fire"? This means through trial and tribulation, my friend.

After reading this information about the seeker sensitive movement and the truth from the Bible, I hope you see that we will not share with or teach something to you that merely sounds or feels good. It is important that the TRUTH be known, and the truth is that the Seeker Sensitive Gospel will corrupt and transform a person into a lazy, lukewarm spiritual state. And what will Christ do to those in that kind of condition? He will spue them out of His mouth, and they will be lost. Remember, the Devil is out to STEAL your crown. He has many, many ways of doing this. One easy way to do this is to convince people that all they must do is simply "believe", and that from there - nothing else matters! It's my earnest prayer that we don't quench the Spirit of God.

May God be with you and guide you to His truth!