ADVANCE TOWARD MATURITY

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 author, to represent that point of initiation from which the believer is then to progress in spiritual life and experience (Heb. 6:1-3).

And while the Gospel does not change, there are aspects and attributes within our present world by which the outworking and propagation of the Gospel are influenced. Societal perceptions, modes of expression, intellectual inclinations, ad infinitum, are not the same at all times and in all places, and are to be taken into account when 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). As has been learned in more current times, foreign mission efforts of the relatively recent past have often missed this point while attempting to create American style congregations singing post-Civil War hymns and songs of a "western" musical orientation - to little mention a commitment to methodologies typically little cognizant of the people's natural mental processes, sense of expression and faculties of perception and response.

Importantly, current realities in our own time and culture can affect our modes of response as well. Religious musicologists and psychologists, for example, are much aware that the endless "heavenly mansions and riches" songs that came out of the Great Depression era were, to large extent, reflective of the pressures and and resultant mindset of that time. (Furthermore, such songs also tended to miss the intent of Jesus' words in John 14 - but that is another subject). Nor need it be added that, in most instances, there is more than a little contradiction in a present day American congregations singing, "Here I wander, like a beggar, in the heat and in the cold." (Ask your genuinely committed 'teenager to identify with either content or musical idiom of such songs...)

The point is this: As times change and the days darken, the foundational truths of the Gospel will remain the same. At the same time, the context in which they are perceived and received will likely become altered in an assortment of ways. To illustrate:

One can little doubt that spiritual reality assumes a considerably deepened - or even to some extent, differing - sense of meaning within those cultures and settings wherein Christian commitment places one's well being, or even life itself, at risk. Within context of this nature, one can little envision attempts to engender enthusiasm or "work up the Spirit" by means of the "hyped" emphases and/or psychological ploys sometimes observable within churches of our present time and setting.

The days to come will bear effect within our communities of faith as maturity and stability become increasingly essential to spiritual survival. Simply put: Change is coming in relation to the valid Body of Christ.

In the words of the apostolic author, "Let us then press on to maturity" (Heb. 6:1). It will prove itself an end time requisite.

Burl Ratzsch

END TIME FAITH

While having touched upon the following in prior postings, we yet do well to remind ourselves.

God is not through with the Church. Although there were instances in which the apostle Paul seemingly anticipated living to see Christ's return (note, for example, his inclusion of himself with those to be granted "relief" at Christ's coming, II Thess. 1:7) he was yet unhesitating in expressing himself as to certain prerequisites destined to precede that time and event.

When, despite Christ's having returned to the Father some thirty or more years prior, the Thessalonian believers became caught up in a euphoric expectancy of his immediate return, Paul's advice was essentially that they go back to work and recognize, as he had before taught them, that Christ's return would not take place until after the age-concluding "man of sin" had risen to power. "Do you not remember?" (II Thess. 2:1-5).

Another key to the times in relation to the Church lies in the fact of certain objectives ordained to attain fulfillment prior to, and in preparation for, Christ's reception of a Church "without spot or wrinkle or any such thing...holy and blameless" (Eph. 5:27 as predicated on preceding 4:11-13: "until we all come to...").

As anyone acquainted with Church well recognizes, such state has yet to exist within the Church in any lasting sense. This includes the apostolic era, as attested by the ongoing efforts of the apostles to counter heresy, personal ambition, immorality - as well as resolve Church disputes, renew a Christocentric focus, ad infinitum.

Significantly, the first attribute of the matured Church will be a meaningful "unity of the faith" (again, Eph. 4:13). This, of course, accords with Christ's last recorded prayer in which he petitioned that the Church come to reflect the oneness of his own relationship with the Father.

While various factors will contribute to the fulfilling of this prayer, one of the more obvious agencies for effecting such will lie in the coming universal hatred of believers - a fact to which our Lord made repeated reference. It need little be noted that the rumblings of such are already becoming discernable in terms of not only an increasingly anti-Christian world, but apostate elements within the institutional Chruch as well.

The day is coming in which, as believers, we shall much need one another - a day in which the bond of faith and fellowship will derive, not from self-focused causes, identities and sectarian interests, but rather transcendent commitment to Jesus Christ, love for one another, and dedication to biblical principles.

Count on it.

Burl Ratzsch