Gary Gilley

Disturbed by what he sees as the rise of subjectivism in evangelical Christianity, Gilley offers this work as a sharp retort to popular vocabulary of “calling,” “inner peace,” and “holy hunches.” Gilley surveys scripture to build a case for the silencing of personal revelations, emphasizing freedom, responsibility, and wisdom in decision-making rather than seeking a word from God. Gilley does well in correcting the imbalance in contemporary evangelicalism, but goes to the other show more extreme in describe the complete silence of God outside of scripture and natural revelation. While correct to warn the church about the dangers of subjectivism, Gilley’s scholarship (biblical and historical) leaves much to be desires. D show less

Is the modern church reaching out or selling out? Churches all over the world are buying into the market-driven philosophy of church growth and expansion. What price do we pay to fill the pews? It is time for all churches to return to their scriptural roots.

Gilley argues that today's churches need to return to preaching the Gospel and praying that the Holy Spirit will stir and convict the unbeliever. The marketing philosophy removes the Spirit by emphasizing that music, entertainment and a non-threatening environment will cause them to make that decision.

Gilley uses Neil Postman's "Amusing Ourselves to Death" to critique the market-driven church. Very interesting and insightful, perhaps a bit of an overstatement, however