The puritans believed that true evangelistic preaching must consist of the Law and the Gospel! Preaching is for both unbelievers and believers — the Law and Gospel should be regularly preached; therefore explaining the wrath of God expressed in the reality of hell is appropriate as long as it is accompanied by the Gospel. In this way every message is ‘evangelistic’ and, by the Holy Spirit, able to convert sinners. Preaching God’s Law does a number of things; it instructs the wicked in order to restrain evil, and it instructs believers as one expression of the will and character of God by which they may be urged to live the Christian life. But the main purpose of the Law is to convince us that we are sinners and that we need a Savior. The Law points us to Christ. We are either condemned by the Law or we are driven to the Savior. The Apostle Paul says, “through the law we become conscious of sin.” Romans 3

The Law is like a mirror provided by God where people, having seen the dirt on their faces will turn from the mirror to the soap and water to wash the dirt away. The Law also tells us about the solution to our alienation from God – Old Testament narration about sacrifice instructs us on the need for a blood-sacrifice to atone for sin – ultimately fulfilled by Christ Jesus!

Unfortunately, church growth mentality has dominated the thinking of the contemporary American church. It’s now generally accepted that to be successful churches must increase attendance by addressing ‘felt needs.’ We now have a system of ‘easy believism’ where people are called forward to become Christians in order to be happier, more successful, improve their family life, or simply to get fire (hell) insurance. The wrath of God and the Law have no place in this system – if increasing numbers are the goal why risk turning people off with judgmental stuff like law and hell?

Here I want to be careful – I do not stand to condemn those churches and pastors who perpetuate this ‘isle walking’ tradition of men. I, too, willingly participated in this ritual out of ignorance and thoughtlessness for many years. That’s why I am so passionate about biblical doctrine! When, by God’s grace, I understood how God was sovereign in salvation I began to see how ‘isle walking’ was so very man-centered and subject to manipulation. (I have a God-given responsibility to preach the gospel to all people, no doubt! And men and women all have a responsibility to respond to the Gospel, but God is ultimately the determining force and cannot be chained by any ‘creature.’)

In spite of this I know that many people that have ‘walked the isle’ show evidence, by God’s mercy, of being truly regenerated (saved). But I am convinced that the ritual did not make salvation possible for them!

My conviction against ‘walk the isle’ type invitations are:

1) I believe the invitation system largely depends on an emotionally manipulated approach to getting people to make a ‘decision.” Making an instant decision rarely allows people to ‘count the cost.’ Luke 14. People who are ‘converted’ by man-centered manipulative techniques rarely persist in their faith. Most ‘Crusade’ organizations will acknowledge this large ‘drop out’ rate. Billy Graham, undoubtedly the most ‘successful’ of the evangelistic crusaders, has stated, “I’ve always thought that in any group that comes forward a fourth of them will be there in five years from now.” David Frost, Billy Graham in Conversion (Oxford: Lion, 1998) So even in a pragmatic sense isle walking invitations provide less than satisfactory results.

2) Spiritually, though, walking the isle can have devastating results that make the pragmatic issue pale in comparison. It often becomes a ritualistic ‘good deed’ that people trust to save them. This is the theology of the Roman Catholic Church, Christ does his part but you must also do something to contribute to your salvation. As if Christ’s blood is inadequate! This is an essential dividing line between trusting in Christ alone (the true basis of salvation) and trusting in your own good works (an approach that God condemns).

Additionally, I believe ‘walking the isle’ often gives a false sense of assurance. Ask most evangelistically active believers in the culturally ‘Christian’ south and they will tell the same, sad story; many who are living as pagans will protest when any suggestion is made about the claims of Christ. They will say, “I walked the isle back in 1968 (or whenever) so I am going to heaven!” If one were to suggest that lives of persistent, unrepentant sin suggest otherwise they will respond, “My God is a God of love! and besides, everyone is a sinner.” People who believe like this are self-deluded and in some ways are inoculated against any further spiritual interest.

By the way, it is not judgmental to be discerning about another persons’ salvation – it is actually an act of compassion to instruct self deluded people. What conclusion is evident if we find someone who has no love for holiness, no desire to worship God, no desire to read/study the Bible, or no desire to enjoy the fellowship of the saints? Can we have assurance of salvation and yet have no evidence of a truly ‘changed heart?’ I don’t think so. At the very least we should challenge people in this condition to examine themselves and “work out their salvation with fear and trembling!”

The invitation system was popularized by Charles Finney, a revivalist (and later an apostate) during the mid 1800’s … ‘walking the isle’ is a fairly recent development. One of Finney’s contemporaries, Benjamin Morgan Palmer, a prominent pastor during that time was once asked how anyone could possibly be saved in a church which did not issue a regular invitation to walk down the isle at the close of the service! Without a moment’s hesitation, and with some force, he answered: ‘By God!’ Douglas F. Kelly, Preachers With Power, Banner of Truth , pg 118. Indeed, it is liberating to realize that when we present the gospel its acceptance doesn’t depend on my personality, nor my dynamic presentation, nor my good physical appearance — it is the sovereign work of God! As long as I preach the gospel there is no regret and no possible way to feel a failure! Thank you Lord Jesus for freeing me from the depressing thought that some might go to hell because of my inadequate technique of evangelism!

For further reading I recommend a little pamphlet by Jim Elliff, The Dangers of the Invitation System.