The Army Mother
On today’s blog I want to cover one of the most fiery preachers I have ever heard of, and what I believe is an important message for preachers in today’s church.
Catherine Booth, born Catherine Mumford, was a very important preacher in the late 1800s. Whereas many churches in the Western world did not allow women to preach in those days, Catherine boldly went about preaching and drawing large crowds.
Catherine is significant for her work with The Salvation Army, which was founded as “The Christian Mission” in London in 1865. Her husband General William Booth who is considered the founder of The Salvation Army. Catherine was affectionately known as the “Army Mother”. So significant was her contribution to The Salvation Army that Army Scholar Dr. Roger Green has in recent years written a biography titled, “Catherine Booth: A Biography of the Co-Founder of The Salvation Army”.
Preaching With Holy Fire
On a personal note, I have found Catherine Booth’s writings some of the most convicting words I have ever read. She writes in “Aggressive Christianity” that she said she would never stop preaching about holiness even if it sends her to Hell because she wouldn’t lower the standard of holiness. Also in “Aggressive Christianity” she writes that she feared countless in the church will go to Hell due to the false gospel of “only believe”, and she would dedicate the rest of her life to warn them.
When I read her works I get the sense of urgency that a sinful world is headed toward Hell and that true compassion is to lead them to repentance.
Booth was an on fire preacher with a message to see the whole world turn completely to Jesus.
Sham Compassion
In Booth’s message, “Sham Compassion and the Dying Love of Christ”, I believe Catherine includes an important warning for preachers today.
Booth warns us about an “All Love Theory” which tells us “men will be repelled from the gospel if its truths about judgment and hell are not kept in the background.”
Catherine Booth hits on a debate that rages on to this day. Should we warn people about Hell? Doesn’t ‘Love Win’? Can’t we just not talk about Hell and “love people into the kingdom”? Perhaps the thinking here is that we can tell people about the ugly Hell stuff later and captivate them with the love of God? Or maybe there are many Christians that don’t believe in Hell at all despite Jesus referring to Hell multiple times and even referencing that people who don’t know God will be left in a place of “weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Catherine Booth refers to the lack of concern over judgment as her titular “Sham Compassion”. These days people believe they are more compassionate than the God who died on the cross to save us. As the church we are often embarrassed to talk about Hell. If this resonates with you I highly recommend looking into Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle’s book Erasing Hell. They have a pretty compassionate take on the issue.
Catherine Booth compares this phenomena to a child playing by a fire whose father, thinking he is being loving, doesn’t want to bother the child with a warning. When the child falls into the fire we would all be furious at how uncaring the father was. How will sinners feel about Christians who kept their mouths shut as they rot in Hell?
Warning for Preachers
I want to share for you the full text of Catherine’s warning for preachers before I make a quick comment:
In ancient days there were prophets, whose fiery warnings of judgment to come led whole nations to repentance, but men think they know better now. The God who sent those poor old fanatics to speak plain words of wrath and denunciation is not their God.
His words of burning reproof and fearful threatening is not their burden. Their message is some “sweet text” tied to a bunch of flowers; their burden can be given by “Saturday evenings for the people,” where “comic readings,” “gymnastics,” “secular music by the choir” are the converting measures deemed most suitable.
Alas! alas! such maudlin souls are not worthy to deal with the things of eternity! Who wants in the hospital a man too “tender” to probe the wound, too “merciful” to amputate the mortifying limb, too “loving” to say with firmness, Do this, bear this, or die? Away with such a sentimental surgeon, you would cry; send him to pick rose leaves, where his feeble hands will do no mischief. –-Catherine Booth, Sham Compassion and the Dying Love of Christ
If you skipped the quote I highly recommend you read it through to the end. The summary is that a nice friendly message is of no use to a sinner who refuses to repent and surrender to God. A preacher who won’t talk about God’s Wrath would be better picking flowers, but he shouldn’t be anywhere near the pulpit, lest his hearers face God’s wrath unprepared.
Final Challenge
If you find yourself convicted by God’s Holy Spirit of sin, repent now! God has grace for you but it is on you to humble yourself and seek Him for Forgiveness. Then find a Spirit-Filled, Bible-believing, Full Gospel church.
If your pastor isn’t preaching about sin you need to talk to him or her. Find out what they believe. If they disagree with the Bible you had better get out of there!
If you are convicted now to speak more about God’s judgment, that is a positive thing. Pray, fast, and allow God to give you boldness.
Read the Catherine Booth’s full message here: https://www.gospeltruth.net/booth/cath_booth/popular_christianity/cbooth_pop_ch_lec3.htm
Sources:
https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/about-us/international-heritage-centre/virtual-heritage-centre/people/catherine-booth
Aggressive Christianity, Catherine Booth