Understanding Salvation Army Evangelistic and Social Methods

The methods of the Salvation Army are characterized by sensational, boisterous, and highly emotional displays intended to attract the attention of the masses, often substituting outward excitement for deep, practical Bible instruction9MR 81.2+2.

Evangelistic and Revival Methods

• Sensationalism and Noise: The organization is known for using "wild methods," including "big noise," shouting, and boisterous performances to create excitementSITI July 28, 1887, page 464.18+2.

• Musical Displays: Their services frequently feature large bands with drums, tambourines, fiddles, flutes, and horns, often playing "dance tunes" set to sacred wordsMRQI 13.1+2.

• Emotional Appeals: Revival efforts focus on getting people into an "intensely exciting" state, leading to "shrieks" or hysterical gesticulations that can rob a service of its solemnityMRQI 13.1+2.

• Public Processions: They utilize street parades, the waving of national flags, and loud music to draw people into their "barracks" or meeting placesAMS March 6, 1890, page 80.10+2.

Approach to Salvation and Doctrine

• Instant Conversion: A primary focus is directing sinners to an "anxious seat" to be prayed for, with the assumption that they are "saved" in a matter of minutes based on their feelingsSITI January 13, 1887, page 32.18.

• Superficial Teaching: Their preaching is often emotional and "destitute of practical Christian instruction," presenting a "cheap Christianity" that emphasizes "smooth sailing" without the necessity of heart-searching warfare against sin21MR 309.2+2.

• Disregard for God's Law: There is a tendency to follow impressions and claim the guidance of the Spirit while trampling upon the divine law and ignoring the necessity of obedienceSITI December 4, 1884, page 729.6+1. This lack of judgment regarding the faith stems from a failure to retain God in their knowledge Romans 1:28.

• Focus on the Outcast: The Army does a significant work among the "neglected, downtrodden ones" in the slums, providing shelters for the homeless and attempting to rescue the abandoned8T 184.3+2.

Organizational and Social Tactics

• Rigid Discipline: They maintain a very complete and perfect system of organization and "guerrilla religious warfare" modeled after worldly military structuresSITI July 28, 1887, page 464.18+1.

• Adopting Native Customs: In foreign mission fields, such as India or Japan, they adopt the native dress and customs of the people to gain an entrancePTUK November 19, 1896, page 750.5.

• Seeking Government Influence: Leaders have expressed a desire to win the confidence of every government, suggesting that all queens and governments should subscribe to their fundsPTUK June 7, 1894, page 368.4+1.

• Neighborly Kindness: Despite criticisms of their noisy methods, individual workers often show great zeal, self-denial, and neighborly kindness in their efforts to help the poorWM 9.1+1.

While there are honest, self-sacrificing souls within the Army, we are warned not to imitate their "bodily exercise" which profits little 1 Timothy 4:88T 184.3+1. Instead, the true fast chosen by God is to loose the bands of wickedness and deal bread to the hungry in a manner that reflects the quiet dignity of Christ Isaiah 58:6-75MR 40.1.