God has never willed the Church to be static. While "the principles of the doctrine of Christ" ("rudiments of Christianity," NEB) remain foundational, they are, as per the apostolic epistle, that point of initiation from which the believer is then to grow in spiritual life and experience (Heb. 6:1-3).
And while the Gospel does not change, there are aspects and attributes of our present world by which the outworking and propagation of the Gospel are influenced. Societal norms, modes of expression (as well as perception), emotional and intellectual inclinations, ad infinitum, are not the same at all times or in all places and are to be taken into account in presenting the truths of the Gospel. With this in mind Paul states, "I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some" (I Cor. 9:22). More than a few missionaries of relatively recent times missed this point and learned the hard way that successful endeavor does not necessarily mandate one's recreation of American style congregations singing post-Civil War hymns and Gospel songs in Western musical forms and following methodologies sometimes little cognizant of the people's natural mental processes, modes of expression and faculties of response.
Importantly, changing realities affect Gospel outreach and expression in our own society. Gospel musicologists, for example, are much aware of the endless "heavenly mansions and riches" songs that came out of the days of the Great Depression (largely missing the intent of Jesus' words in John 14 - but that is another subject). While still sung in some quarters where older tastes yet prevail, one hears little, if any, such songs among a younger generation of believers. This is just one example; much more could be explored here.
The point is this: As times change and days darken, the foundational truths of the Gospel yet obtain. The contexts in which such is perceived and received will, however, change in many ways. To illustrate: As opposed to the conceptual patterns extant within many circles (conservative, evangelical, fundamentalist...whatever), one can little doubt that spiritual reality assumes a vastly deepened (indeed, even altered) sense of meaning within those times and settings wherein Christian faith has placed one's well being at risk.
Days to come will bear effect within the community of faith as stability and maturity prove essential to survival. Simply put: Change is coming in relation to the believing Church. In the words of the apostolic author, "Let us then press on to maturity."
Burl Ratzsch
