Click on the following for earlier articles in the series: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4.
Over the last fifty years, the chief restorational influence on American Christianity came about because of some West Coast hippies. It was called the Jesus People Movement.
The movement’s message was simple: God is love; and He loves you.
It’s an understatement to just say the Jesus People were different than other new Christians of the 1960’s and 70’s. They had long hair, wore jeans, liked rocking guitars rather than organ music, were both enthusiastic and informal at the same time, and came out of communal living environments.
And when the Jesus People attended traditional churches, guess what happened? They didn’t fit in well with the starched white shirt, dark suit and formally dressed crowd. It was like trying to mix oil and water together; each repelled the other.
Thus, the Jesus People Movement spawned their own churches, ones like Calvary Chapel Churches and Vineyard Churches which held laid back, informal services focused on God’s love and building intimate relationships with God and each believer. And also, a new type of assembly came on the scene: Home Groups.
Plus, the music changed. Maranatha Music, Vineyard Music, and eventually today’s modern worship music, all had their origins in the Jesus Movement.
There is no doubt that God’s hand was on the Jesus People Movement. We American Christians needed a fresh focus on God’s love and building relationships without all the hindrances of traditional trappings. Thus, the Jesus People Movement has produced solid fruit in us believers.
But as with all movements throughout the history of the Church, the pendulum has swung too far in one direction. So much so, that today’s Church no longer views Jesus as the Judge or the Holy One who when John saw Him on Patmos , he fell at His feet as though he were dead.
Most of us American Christians now view Jesus as a warm and fuzzy Savior who tolerates all kinds of sin. After all, Jesus is love. And shouldn’t love put up with all kinds of sin?
The answer is a definite NO!
(Love) does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. (1 Corinthians 13:6)
So, with all of this in mind, let’s begin looking at Pat Robertson’s remarks, okay?
(Continued in Part 6)
Larry Who 
FYI, this article in no way puts down Calvary Chapel or Vineyard Churches. Both founders, Chuck Smith and John Wimber, were solid teachers who believed in holiness.
Larry, I am following and will till the end….
Keep writing. This one particularly blessed me!
Blessings,
Gladwell
gladwell,
Thanks for the encouragement.
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