EmotionalismEmotionalismMatthew 7:21-23Matthew 7:21-23

The Difference Between: “Emotional” & “Emotionalism”

The Difference Between: “Emotional” & “Emotionalism”

EMOTION: "An intense mental state that arises subjectively rather than through conscious effort and is often accompanied by physiological changes; a strong feeling: the emotions of joy, sorrow, reverence, hate, and love.” (American Heritage Dictionary).

“Feel Good” Religion TwoExtremesCold, Heartless Religion

Emotion Is Proper Part Of Life

Emotion Is Proper Part Of Life

Natural Progression with Age: Emotion to Reason

Natural Progression with Age: Emotion to Reason

Babies cry & throw temper tantrums when they want something (emotional display)

Expect older people to control desiresSame process of raw expression to control

is seen in other realms of lifeGeneral Rule: Maturity brings control as

thought & reason precede & direct emotion

Jesus Displayed EmotionJesus Displayed EmotionWept at the grave of Lazarus (Jn. 11:33-36)Wept as He approached Jerusalem (Lk. 19:41-44)Strong crying & tears in Gethsemane (Heb. 5:7-8)Compassion on the lost & confused (Matt. 9:36)Often had compassion on the diseased and afflictedShowed tenderness towards little children (Mark 10:13-

16)Was angered at hardened hearts (Mark 3:5)Showed emotions in driving out the money changers from

the temple (Jn. 2:13-16)

Men of God Showed EmotionMen of God Showed EmotionGen. 45:1-4 Joseph revealing self to brothersJosh. 7:5-7 Joshua in defeat of Israel at AiActs 8:2 Lamented over StephenActs 9:39 Widows wept over DorcasActs 17:16 Spirit of Paul provoked by idolsActs 20:37 Ephesian elders wept over Paul2 Cor. 6:10 Sorrowful & rejoicing in labor2 Cor. 11:28 Anxiety for all the churches

Emotion in Response to GospelEmotion in Response to GospelActs 8:39 Ethiopian rejoiced after obeyingActs 16:34 Jailor rejoiced having believedPhil. 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always”1 Jn. 1:4 Revelation given to give full joy2 Cor. 7:10 Godly sorrow before repentanceActs 2:37 Gospel pricks the heartIn each case, proper emotion is preceded and

directed by the truth believed & obeyed

Improper Emotion in ScriptureImproper Emotion in Scripture

1Kg 18:26f Prophets of Baal1Kg 22:11 Zedekiah in giving false visionActs 7:54f Crowd angered to kill StephenActs 19:23f Demetrius & crowd for DianaMatt. 13:20 Rocky soil hearers & emotionImproper emotion seen in rejecting truth

whether before or after hearing the message

Reception of Holy Spirit Never Tied to Emotion in Scripture

Reception of Holy Spirit Never Tied to Emotion in Scripture

Acts 2 - Apostles received H.S. at PentecostNever told how the apostles felt

Acts 10 - Cornelius received Holy SpiritNever told how Cornelius felt about it

Acts 19 - Men at Ephesus received SpiritNever told how they felt about it

No statement of preferring feeling over BibleSpirit caused revelation (2 Tim. 3:16-17)

Truth Not Determined by Emotions or Feelings

Truth Not Determined by Emotions or Feelings

Case of Jacob’s grief over Joseph (Gen. 37)Brothers of Joseph sell him into slaveryDeceived Jacob into believing Joseph was deadMourning was just as real as if actually deadTruth not determined by reality of emotion

Case of Job’s emotions during trialsEmotions were both real & intenseReacted from feeling that God caused his trialsTruth differed from Job’s feelings & emotions

Truth Must Be Foundation for All Thought & Emotion

Truth Must Be Foundation for All Thought & Emotion

Jeremiah 23:16-22

Jeremiah 14:13-17

Ezekiel 13:1-3

Matthew 7:21-23

Not Emotions Based on SubjectivismNot Emotions Based on Subjectivism

Applications for TodayApplications for Today

Emotionalism in DenominationsEmotionalism in DenominationsCatholicism filled with emotion-based appeal in

liturgy & traditionSouthern Baptist: “Rather go with feeling in my heart

than whole stack of Bibles”Methodists: Warm feeling of confirmation of Wesley

& followersPentecostals: Confirm salvation by emotional display

of ecstatic worship much like pagansEmotional display & lifestyle often at odds

Emotionalism in Lord’s ChurchEmotionalism in Lord’s ChurchSome profess great emotional feeling...

But emotion used to assist those engaged in sinful practices & those teaching doctrinal error

But willing to tolerate growing number of evilsBut evidence moral decline in dress, drinking…But show little growth in knowledge of truth

Takes on different forms at various timesSoul talks, burn candles, low lights, camp fervorEmphasis is on style rather than substance

Danger Signs for EmotionalismDanger Signs for EmotionalismChange of worship style & content

Become enamoured with casual atmosphereImitate “contemporary” style of denominations

Seek more aesthetically appealing settingsSunrise or sunset services, beach devos...

Songs with appeal not based on edificationContent of lyrics appealing to pop cultureRounds which are not understandableMusical complexity overwhelms message

Influence of “camps” becoming dangerous