Since the question is raised why the church does not grow faster, we are persuaded that the real answer that needs looking to is the one our author dismisses most hastily. The cause is not ecclesiastical. It is spiritual. The real need is not new methods, but fidelity to the old [ones]. [The real need is] a true revival in the hearts of ministers and Christians themselves, a fear of the power of the world to come and deep love for souls. What we most need is repentance, not innovation.
Showing posts with label religious innovations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label religious innovations. Show all posts
Friday, January 4, 2008
Old Words, Contemporary Significance
His words sound all to contemporary. Speaking against one who advocated the new methods so rapidly catching on in the 19th century R.L. Dabney wrote,
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Man-Centered Non-Worship
Rather than being guided by the Word of God, churches are more and more coming to be guided by Hallmark.
Typically, the people of God gather for worship on Sunday to celebrate what the Bible denominates "The Lord's Day." But now, as churches run farther and farther away from Biblical principles and embrace worship forms and styles that are according to their own whims, pastors/church leaders tell people to stay home for the "special days" of the calender year, the most recent being Father's Day.
A local church, one that prides itself in being cutting edge and appealing to the ungodly, has told its congregation members to forsake the assembling together this Lord's Day in order that fathers may spend time with their families. Instead of having Sunday services where one can gather with the family of God to honor their Heavenly Father they are encouraging their fathers to lead their own families in worship that day.
I suppose that family worship every day of the week is not promoted in this church. If it was, fathers would already be spending a great deal of time with their families. I also suppose that families are not encouraged to worship together each Lord's day in this church (certainly not morning and evening!) because, if they were, they would not have to take a day off so that fathers could be with their families. But since the fathers are not with their children throughout the week and on the Lord's day (which is usually a cause for church discipline), corporate worship must be canceled in order to accommodate.
Though divine worship will not be held on Sunday, this church will be observing the sacred event of "Man Fest" on Saturday. Consisting of a car/motorcycle show, the eating of red meat, manly games (such as archery, fishing, etc.) and much more, Man Fest is certain to be a real blast. (But those of us who are males who do not enjoy such "manly" activities, but prefer classical music, literature, and thick books of theology, will probably find the time better spent elsewhere.)
Truly, man-centered worship has truly supplanted Christ-centered worship. The fifth commandment (Honoring one's father) has supplanted the first, second, third, and fourth, (worship God alone, in his way, with the right heart, on his appointed day). And, I believe, man's perceptions of manhood has supplanted man's true design and calling.
Typically, the people of God gather for worship on Sunday to celebrate what the Bible denominates "The Lord's Day." But now, as churches run farther and farther away from Biblical principles and embrace worship forms and styles that are according to their own whims, pastors/church leaders tell people to stay home for the "special days" of the calender year, the most recent being Father's Day.
A local church, one that prides itself in being cutting edge and appealing to the ungodly, has told its congregation members to forsake the assembling together this Lord's Day in order that fathers may spend time with their families. Instead of having Sunday services where one can gather with the family of God to honor their Heavenly Father they are encouraging their fathers to lead their own families in worship that day.
I suppose that family worship every day of the week is not promoted in this church. If it was, fathers would already be spending a great deal of time with their families. I also suppose that families are not encouraged to worship together each Lord's day in this church (certainly not morning and evening!) because, if they were, they would not have to take a day off so that fathers could be with their families. But since the fathers are not with their children throughout the week and on the Lord's day (which is usually a cause for church discipline), corporate worship must be canceled in order to accommodate.
Though divine worship will not be held on Sunday, this church will be observing the sacred event of "Man Fest" on Saturday. Consisting of a car/motorcycle show, the eating of red meat, manly games (such as archery, fishing, etc.) and much more, Man Fest is certain to be a real blast. (But those of us who are males who do not enjoy such "manly" activities, but prefer classical music, literature, and thick books of theology, will probably find the time better spent elsewhere.)
Truly, man-centered worship has truly supplanted Christ-centered worship. The fifth commandment (Honoring one's father) has supplanted the first, second, third, and fourth, (worship God alone, in his way, with the right heart, on his appointed day). And, I believe, man's perceptions of manhood has supplanted man's true design and calling.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Doing the Best They Can with What They Got
Just as they had a hard time explaining how it could occur, Virginia Tech body is having a hard time getting through the after shocks of grief. But that's to be expected when you won't acknowledge God or His Word.
Today VT held a service to try to bring some sort of closure to the shooting that happened on the campus. The mysterious "moment of silence" was observed and a bell chimed for each person who died in the incident. A white, helium balloon was also let go for each person. Afterwards a barrage of balloons with VT's colors lifted off into the sky.
I need to ask, "What do balloons and bells have to do with grief?"
I've always been wary of the "moment of silence." It is the product of an atheistic and pluralistic society. It's evolution can be summed up like this: "We can't pray or mention Jesus, but we need to do something religious. I know, let's just be silent and not let anything fill our minds for a moment." That does a lot of good for the healing process, doesn't it? I'm sure that Satan loves that. He much rather have us dwell on nothing than something.
Candle lighting has also been used in times of trauma. It finds some of its roots in the Catholic tradition. I wouldn't doubt that there are some pagan roots as well. Christians have always acknowledge that Christ is the light of the world. But in our society, a lit candle is the expression of the optimistic agnostic: "There's hope out there somewhere." And besides, who doesn't like the way candles glow on a dark night.
When 911 came along we moved a step forward in our fanciful inventions, we added bell ringing. I'm sure it sounded like a good idea at the time (pardon the pun), but I'm not sure what purpose it served. I suppose that this was to replicate, in some way, the firing of riffles in a military funeral. But the riffles honor a fallen hero for his courage and service. Bells are rung, I assume, just to honor the dead for their dying.
And today we take yet another step: We fly balloons. I have no clue what reasoning may lay behind it. But I do know that it results from not wanting to let the truths of the gospel comfort souls in a time of distress. I'm sure that the VT administration's argument went something like this: Let them have balloons, not Christ.
I admit that I like watching balloons float into the sky and out of sight. And it may even be fun to watch--even in a moment of grief. But it will do nothing to alleviate the pain and trauma one may possess as a result of such an event. Once the balloon is gone, reality comes floating back.
It never ceases to amaze me what mysterious religious practices people will invent. The Reformers were right when they talked about how our imaginations will soar (like a white balloon!) when we are not rooted in the Bible. Take away the Bible and add some high emotions and you will have a catalyst for the most interesting religious innovations.
In sum, VT simply reflects our wider Christless culture. No one can answer the ultimate questions and no one can offer hope. So what do they do when they come face to face with them? They do the best they can with what they have: They look to empty expressions of sentimentality to give a little reprieve and then they move on with their meaningless lives.
Today VT held a service to try to bring some sort of closure to the shooting that happened on the campus. The mysterious "moment of silence" was observed and a bell chimed for each person who died in the incident. A white, helium balloon was also let go for each person. Afterwards a barrage of balloons with VT's colors lifted off into the sky.
I need to ask, "What do balloons and bells have to do with grief?"
I've always been wary of the "moment of silence." It is the product of an atheistic and pluralistic society. It's evolution can be summed up like this: "We can't pray or mention Jesus, but we need to do something religious. I know, let's just be silent and not let anything fill our minds for a moment." That does a lot of good for the healing process, doesn't it? I'm sure that Satan loves that. He much rather have us dwell on nothing than something.
Candle lighting has also been used in times of trauma. It finds some of its roots in the Catholic tradition. I wouldn't doubt that there are some pagan roots as well. Christians have always acknowledge that Christ is the light of the world. But in our society, a lit candle is the expression of the optimistic agnostic: "There's hope out there somewhere." And besides, who doesn't like the way candles glow on a dark night.
When 911 came along we moved a step forward in our fanciful inventions, we added bell ringing. I'm sure it sounded like a good idea at the time (pardon the pun), but I'm not sure what purpose it served. I suppose that this was to replicate, in some way, the firing of riffles in a military funeral. But the riffles honor a fallen hero for his courage and service. Bells are rung, I assume, just to honor the dead for their dying.
And today we take yet another step: We fly balloons. I have no clue what reasoning may lay behind it. But I do know that it results from not wanting to let the truths of the gospel comfort souls in a time of distress. I'm sure that the VT administration's argument went something like this: Let them have balloons, not Christ.
I admit that I like watching balloons float into the sky and out of sight. And it may even be fun to watch--even in a moment of grief. But it will do nothing to alleviate the pain and trauma one may possess as a result of such an event. Once the balloon is gone, reality comes floating back.
It never ceases to amaze me what mysterious religious practices people will invent. The Reformers were right when they talked about how our imaginations will soar (like a white balloon!) when we are not rooted in the Bible. Take away the Bible and add some high emotions and you will have a catalyst for the most interesting religious innovations.
In sum, VT simply reflects our wider Christless culture. No one can answer the ultimate questions and no one can offer hope. So what do they do when they come face to face with them? They do the best they can with what they have: They look to empty expressions of sentimentality to give a little reprieve and then they move on with their meaningless lives.
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