The World and the Fruitful

In the parable of the mustard seed, what is the significance of the tree into which the seed grows and of the birds who lodge in its branches?

Likewise, in the parable of the leaven hidden in the meal, what does the leaven represent and what is the meal in which it is hidden?

The sermon contrasts a common New Evangelical interpretation of these parables with that of a Fundamentalist perspective. The message explains why "Old Evangelicals" (i.e. Fundamentalists) differ with their New Evangelical brethren in their understanding of the mission of the Church and its relationship to the world. It further explains the Fundamentalist rationale for practicing "separation" as opposed to the New Evangelical repudiation of separatism.

Dr. Burkett explains why he sees the New Evangelicals as guilty of (1) introducing unnecessary division within the evangelical movement of the 20th century; (2) of introducing confusion into our churches by the inconsistency of the New Evangelical positions; and (3) of utilizing poor Bible interpretation to support their theology.