Richard Halverson, former Chaplain of the United States Senate, is said to have observed: "In the beginning, the church was a fellowship of men and women centered on the living Christ. Then the church moved to Greece, where it became a philosophy. Then it moved to Rome, where it became an institution. Next, it moved to Europe, where it became a culture. And finally, it moved to America, where it became an enterprise."
I don't know what to do with all of that. Is that true? Is it partly true? Is it not true at all? If it IS true, what do we do about it?
Some argue that the early church had it exactly right, so we should return to those original roots. But CAN we do that? Is it possible? I don't really think it is. Time marches forward, not backward, so we can't manage that. And besides, it isn't like the early church was devoid of problems.
Run thru a quick summary of the New Testament books, written to the various churches of the region. They address a myriad of problems which had attached themselves to the early church. As romantic as it sounds, a return to the positions and processes of the early church is not what we need.
Another solution is just to close ourselves in - retreat - and make a new community that is 'pure, separate and holy.' But that can't be the answer either: to make a new society that ignores the world around it. That is incongruent with the mission Jesus gave us.
It is - again - the daily struggle, it seems, of being in the world - not of the world - but sent to the world.
Truthfully, we ARE consumers. We need to get over that 'raised hackle' issue. Every time you turn on your television, put on clothes, drive your car, go to the grocery store, etc etc etc., you are living proof of being a consumer - just like your next-door heathen neighbor.
What we must be careful of avoiding is NOT living in a consumer society as regulars, but of adopting a consumer worldview. There is a big difference.
Do you have thoughts on the subject?
And be blessed.
3 comments:
I see what you mean about being a consumer. I am definitely one, too. :) I used to shop and buy new clothes often when I was married, but now I have less money, but it's ok. Now that I am saved, I realize that life is beautiful and there is SO much to see, learn and do in God's marvelous world. It is a source of never-ending curiousity for me. I love to learn and grow as a person!
We can't go back, we can't become a commune or isolate ourselves.
We are in the world but not of it - to me this is the crux. We must shed the have it all mentality, the pleuralism around us, we must fight against satan's sucking us under & stealing out heritage and our joy. We must be boldly different in thought, speech, ideas.
We must live up to God's plan for our lives, however that plays out as individuals & no matter what "the world" thinks.
Did that make any sense?
D:
Made great sense to me!
Post a Comment