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.
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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
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Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
