I am currently reading a book by David F. Wells entitled, "God in the Wasteland".
In this book Wells discusses the weakening effects of modernism on the church.
He asserts that the "cultural corruption" of the church has led to a departure from the fundamentals of God's sovereignty and holiness.
He speaks of evangelicals as having become "heavily invested in the mindset of modernity, a mindset that Wells correlates with the biblical concept of the "world."
Below is an excerpt from the book:
"It is one of the remarkable features of contemporary church life that so many are attempting to heal the church by tinkering with its structures, its services, its public face. This is clear evidence that modernity has successfully palmed off one of its great deceits on us, convincing us that God himself is secondary to organization and image, that the church's health lies in its flow charts, its convenience, and its offerings rather than in its inner life, its spiritual authenticity, the toughness of its moral intentions, its understanding of what it means to have God's word in this world.
Those who do not see this are out of touch with the deep realities of life, mistaking changes on the surface for changes in the deep waters that flow beneath.
An inspired group of marketers might find a way of reviving a flagging business by modifying its image and offerings, but the matters of the heart, the matters of God, are not susceptible to such cosmetic alteration.
The world's business and God's business are two differant things.
The fundamental problem in the evangelical world today is not inadequate technique, insufficient organization, or antiquated music, and those who want to squander the church's resources bandaging these scratches will do nothing to stanch the flow of blood that is spilling from its true wounds.
The fundamental problem in the evangelical world today is that God rests too inconsequentially upon the church. His truth is too distant, his grace is too ordinary, his judgement is too benign, his gospel is too easy, and his Christ is too common."
6 comments:
Great post brother. Heather and I were discussing some of these issues last night. Even in the biblical churches with bible saturated believers there is still the effects of modernity in individual lives and the body as a whole. We seem so quick to do things the way the world does instead of filtering all things though the gospel. I am thankful for our church and all the churches that preach the full measure of the gospel and supreme reverence towards Christ. May we stay gospel centered
Brother,
It is truly a constant fight and struggle to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints. We are easily "rocked to sleep" by the trends and enticements of the world!
I've been thinking lately that our modern culture is something that today's church (like the ones in Revelation) is called to overcome. There are so many shiny trinkets and fleeting pleasures that compete for our affection.
Your post is something of a verification that I'm not imagining this on my own.
Not yet sure what "overcoming" means, in a practical sense. But I expect God will direct my attention if I'm listening.
Heather
Heather,
We are indeed living in a time of constant bombardment from worldly forces that have the effect of conforming us to their own image rather than Christ'and His word. We must be ever vigilant to guard our hearts and our churches against the methodologies and values of the world system. That is, we must stay God centered and not man centered.
This is very convicting when I remember that I am the church. It is so easy to look out and say the church is this, or that. But am I guilty? Am I too concerned with the surface? Sometimes I think we prefer to be distracted by the surface rather than deal with the true issues within our own hearts, such as being people of the text, and loving Him with all of our hearts. How can we teach other to obey all he said if we don't even know what He said, or further what he Meant?
I am reminded of Isaiah 1:12-13
(12) "When you come to appear before me, who requires of you this trampling of my courts?
(13) Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and sabbath and the calling of assemblies-- I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly.
Remembering that I am the temple, my heart is His court. Am I allowing the trampling of his court? Am I mingling iniquity with solemn assembly?
Good post brother.
Craig
Craig,
It is painfully true that we often do enter His courts with fleshly, worldly minds! The point you make about us being the church is the reality that is, many times, so hard to face. We find it much easier to look at others and say, what should these be doing? But, I keep hearing the words of Jesus to Peter when he asked such a question -- "what is that to thee, follow me"
The challenge and call for us is to diligently -- "follow Him".
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