⏱️ Estimated Reading Time: 2 min read
Contending for the Word is a weekly podcast from Dave Jenkins focused on standing firm on the truth of God’s Word in a world increasingly hostile to it. Each episode addresses pressing issues in the Church and culture with biblical conviction, theological clarity, and practical counsel—equipping Christians to live faithfully and think deeply. This episode is part of our series, Compromise and Clarity.
Audio Episode:
Video Episode:
Episode Description
What happens when evangelicalism prioritizes tone over truth, affirmation over transformation, and culture over conviction? You get soft evangelicalism—a slow, subtle drift from gospel clarity under the guise of kindness and relevance.
In this episode of Contending for the Word, Dave Jenkins defines what soft evangelicalism is, traces its roots in theological liberalism, and offers biblical and historical warnings to help the Church stay grounded in the truth.
This episode includes:
- A biblical and historical framing of compromise
- Real-life examples of soft evangelicalism today
- A call to recover repentance and gospel clarity
- Warnings from Scripture, the Reformers, and modern church history
- Practical counsel for pastors, parents, and church leaders
Soft evangelicalism sounds compassionate—but it distorts the gospel and leads people away from Christ. We must stand firm in God’s Word and contend for the faith once for all delivered to the saints.
Key Scriptures
2 Timothy 4:3–4, Galatians 1:6–9, 2 Corinthians 11:13–15, 2 Peter 2:1, Acts 2:38, Mark 1:15, Romans 8:13, Revelation 3:19, Psalm 119:160, 1 Timothy 4:16, 1 Thessalonians 5:21, Titus 1:9, 2 Timothy 3:16–17, Isaiah 66:2
Listen & Subscribe
- Apple Podcasts: Listen on Apple
- Spotify: Listen on Spotify
- YouTube: Watch on YouTube
If this episode encouraged you, please share it and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!
Thank you for listening or watching this episode of Contending for the Word.
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah, and lives in beautiful Southern Oregon. He is a writer, editor, and speaker who loves Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology.
Dave serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries and the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine. He is the Host and Producer of the Equipping You in Grace Podcast and a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word.
He is the author of The War of Worldviews: Truth, Lies, and the Battle for the Christian Mind (Theology for Life, 2026), Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021).
You can connect with Dave on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, or subscribe to his newsletter.
When he is not engaged in ministry work, Dave enjoys spending time with his wife, going to movies, sharing a meal at a favorite restaurant, or playing a round of golf with friends. He is also a voracious reader, particularly of Reformed theology and the Puritans, and is often found working through a stack of new books from a wide range of Christian publishers.
Dave earned his M.A.R. and M.Div. from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
