Reflections on Gulu - Where theology becomes very practical; June 20

Overall, I was thrilled to see the powerful forward motion of the kingdom of God in a dark place where the gospel is hardly known. I believe many people truly surrendered to the Lordship and salvation of Christ, mainly through the door to door evanglism, and some through the crusade meetings. I did however have one great concern.
The thing which troubled me was the misuse of passages such as 2 Chronicles 7:14 in the preaching. "If my people, who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
In a land of broken and suffering people, this passage is very attractive, when taken as a literal promise. However, although all the promises of God find their "yes" in Christ (2 Cor 1:20), the unique typological (i.e. metaphorical) purposes which God had for Israel mean that such promises do not literally apply to the church as they did to Israel. The "promised land" granted to Israel is a picture of the "promised land" which is heaven. The earthly shadow pictures the heavenly reality. Israel's disobedience to the Lord resulted in a loss of the promised land, initially through faminine and pestilence, and utlimately through exile. If a new generation would humble themselves and return to the Lord, the promised land would be restored. So we are given a clear picture on earth of a spiritual reality in heaven. The Christian enters the promised land through the reception in his humbled and repentent heart of Christ as Savior and Lord.
My point is that I think bad theology is incredibly damaging to the church. Claiming that promises to Israel are fulfilled identically today to the church is not only incorrect - it is a hollow hope. It will draw in people to the church who are looking only for physical blessing, not the treasure that is Christ. Such preaching sets up believers for disillusionment. What happens if the LRA comes back through, burning homes, stealing children, killing men, raping women, and targetting Christians? I expect it will be a far more serious blow than if the preaching was of the flavor of 1 Peter 4:12-13. "Dear Friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial that you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferrings of Christ."
There is one banner which must be flown for calling people into the church, one central message. It is the news of God's solution to the problem of sin. If people come for any reason other than that of seeing the saving work of Jesus Christ and their deep need for such a savior - they are not truly coming to Christ. People in Africa and anywhere else will come to a church for many reasons - to obtain power over the spirits, to recieve blessing on their land, children, and herds, or simply find handouts. In light of this, the church must be ever so clear on its message. It is no small thing that is at stake.
So, I am glad that the gospel is being proclaimed in Gulu. I am glad that many people have truly come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior. I am glad that the Presbyterian Church of Uganda is reaching out to this sorrowful place with love and compassion. I am most glad that God promises to be with his church and present her as the beautiful bride of Christ. I have every hope for light and joy among the believers in Gulu. But please pray that the word of truth would be spoken clearly all the time there.