To Confess or Compromise

The Mainstream Eddies of Oblivion

In today’s mainstream Christian culture, there seems to be an unspoken rule: don’t be too controversial. We shy away from sounding too fringe, and our need for acceptance has pressured churches to present a more flexible, culturally palatable image. This isn’t a new phenomenon—throughout history, the Church has wrestled with conformity in every generation.

Yet, as we study church history, it’s precisely the non-conforming periods that are marked by the supernatural. In seasons when the Church was spiritually lifeless, God’s hand moved upon bold men and women, igniting revivals that shaped nations.

Reference: Romans 12:2 — "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..."

The Birth of the Compromising Church

It should not surprise us—this is how the Church became mainstream centuries ago. After the apostles died, the supernatural seemed to fade with them. Reverent awe of God’s presence was replaced by formality, rituals, and architectural grandeur. The persecuted underground church became institutionalized, its wild fire tamed into religious order.

Despite persecution, believers continued to gather in secret, fueled by a hunger for truth in a collapsing Roman culture. Rome was spiritually bankrupt, morally corrupt, and economically broken. Yet a message of love and hope spread like wildfire—the gospel of a God who gave His all.

Reference: Acts 4:13 — “...they were astonished and took note that these men had been with Jesus.”

But soon, a shrewd leader molded this intimate faith into a new religion—a fusion of Christian zeal with pagan ritual. The fire was soon quenched in the waters of religiosity, duty, and law.

Ritual Over Relationship

Centuries earlier, when Ezra returned to rebuild the temple, the first generation was ablaze with zeal. But soon, legalism took root. After the exile, a sect of devout leaders arose with the noble intention of obeying God's law precisely. Yet, 400 years and 400 extra laws later, they had become blind to God Himself—the Giver of the Law walked among them, and they missed Him.

Reference: Matthew 23:23-28 — Jesus confronts the Pharisees for their hypocrisy. Reference: Hosea 6:6 — “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.”

Religion often leaves no room for mercy. It ignores brokenness and demands perfection. But true relationship looks past faults in love, seeing the hurting and seeking to love them into wholeness.

When Culture Kills

Culture can twist healthy relationship into dead religion. Religion, unchecked by love and truth, can destroy the soul of a man—or a movement. Take Germany in the late 1920s: economic ruin plagued the nation, and the masses searched for hope—either in pulpits or politicians. Tragically, the miraculous was missing in cathedrals, and a new gospel arose—preached by a madman with seductive words.

Reference: 2 Timothy 4:3-4 — “For the time will come when people will not endure sound doctrine...”

The quiet baker, the newspaper boy—ordinary citizens became agents of horror. When the Church lacks the true gospel, a counterfeit will rise.

German pastors of the time—trained in the schools of the Reformation—faced a terrible choice: conform or die. Of 18,000 ministers, only about 5,000 joined the "Confessing Church." These stood against the compromising German Church, now bowing to culture’s pressure. The confessing church is always at odds with the compromising church.

The Modern Western Crisis

Is Christian culture today sick? Today, churches in England stand empty—sold, converted into homes, or handed over to other religions. In the West, unless a church embraces cultural compromise, it risks irrelevance. We are told we can have a "spiritual life" without the obligation of relationship. But could you maintain a healthy relationship with someone while constantly breaking their heart?

Either the Church remembers its roots and returns to the dynamic presence of God, or it continues down this hollow road. The world is hungry for the supernatural—they make movies about it constantly. If the Church doesn’t demonstrate God’s power, the world will follow a counterfeit.

Reference: 2 Timothy 3:5 — "Having a form of godliness but denying its power."

A World Redefined

Culture demands new language, new thinking—boys are no longer boys, girls no longer girls. Morality is redefined and then discarded. Without the tangible presence of God, churches are forced to compromise to remain palatable. Many settle for a form of spirituality that costs nothing and demands no change.

Meanwhile, the confessing church thrives quietly, often in places the West ignores. I’ve spent the last half-year in Asia—China, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan—and I’ve seen firsthand: believers waking at 5 a.m. to pray in the hundreds. In oppressive environments, their hunger burns hotter than ever.

Reference: Matthew 5:6 — “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

History Repeats

Martin Luther refused to conform. So did Evan Roberts. Maria Woodworth-Etter preached before women had the right to vote. John G. Lake and Smith Wigglesworth moved in miracles and shook nations—not because they were better, but because they listened to the Spirit and dared to obey.

Reference: Hebrews 11 — A hall of faith filled with non-conformists.

The heroes of faith were all confessors—those who dared to be different when everyone else bowed to comfort and conformity.

The Prophetic Crisis

We must be a church that hears God's voice and interprets His messages. Remember Jeremiah—surrounded by enemies, mocked by false prophets, he stood firm, while others whispered sugar-coated lies.

Reference: Jeremiah 6:14 — “They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. ‘Peace, peace,’ they say, when there is no peace.”

Western churches now reflect this addiction to self-appeasement. The pulpit no longer tolerates strong words from the Lord. Bible schools now teach that prophecy is only for edification, mistaking edification for praise alone. Admonition is ignored. Warnings are dismissed. Dire words are labeled “Old Testament,” as though the New Testament contains none.

But the New Testament tells of Agabus, who warned the church of famine—not as punishment, but for preparation.

Reference: Acts 11:28 — Agabus prophesies a coming famine.

Today, the church is in a spiritual famine. Believers crave the real. The supernatural. You don’t need four walls to become a well of life—just a willing heart. Coffee shops, AA meetings, gas stations—these are today’s mission fields.

Yet once again, the religious spirit will persecute the confessing believer. Just like the Pharisees did. So stay vigilant. Stay awake. Stay watchful.

Reference: Matthew 24:42 — “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”

He is coming soon. Much sooner than you think.

Blessings

​M. Joseph Hutzler

Eschatologist