Question: [What's happening?] When there was far less social activism and far more “preaching of ...

Question: We are not called to social activism but to preach the gospel and convert sinners. That should have a major good effect on society—far more than social activism. The question is, what happened when there was far less social activism and far more “preaching of the gospel” by the likes of Billy Graham, etc.? It seems like things just got worse in society, just as they have when there is much less gospel and more social activism.

Response: Never does the Bible suggest that the gospel is going to convert the world or that the church will influence the world’s morals. The statement that “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse” (2 Tm 3:13) is not conditional but unequivocal. The question is not whether the gospel will have a greater impact upon the world than social and political action. We are told to preach the gospel, not to try to change the world. Christ has assured us that we will be hated by the world, not that we will influence it for good, much less convert it. And, sadly, very few heed the gospel and are saved (Mt 7:14; Lk 13:23-25).