Definition:
A term, first used by CS Peirce in 1878, describing a doctrine that determines value through the test of consequences or utility. The pragmatist insists that no questions are significant unless the results of answering them in one way rather than another have practical consequences. The pragmatists' world is pluralistic, attentive to context, relativistic about truth and value, devoid of metaphysical concerns except as they have practical consequences. ...
The institutionalized church has fallen into this misconception that we should entertain our congregation to build up our numbers. This idea is tied hand in hand with the false teachings of marketing strategies for church growth and seeker sensitive methodologies. We should strive to continue to build authentic christian living and quit trying to fill pews with unregenerated and unconverted members. Below is a piece of an article that John McArthur wrote regarding this issue.
Just how far will the church go to compete with Hollywood? A large church in the southwestern United States has installed a half-million-dollar special-effects system that can produce smoke, fire, sparks, and laser lights in the auditorium. The church sent staff members to study live special effects at Bally's Casino in Las Vegas. The pastor ended one service by ascending to "heaven" via invisible wires that drew him up out of sight while the choir and orchestra added a musical accompaniment to the smoke, fire, and light show.4 It was just a typical Sunday show for that pastor: "He packs his church with such special effects as. . . cranking up a chain saw and toppling a tree to make a point. . . the biggest Fourth of July fireworks display in town and a Christmas service with a rented elephant, kangaroo and zebra. The Christmas show features 100 clowns with gifts for the congregation's children."5
Link: Article
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