The evolving evangelical church is losing much of its theological foundation and identity. In many ways, it is conforming to the culture around us. Why is this happening? It is because we have lost our vision of God. How can it be changed or fixed? There can only be one remedy, which is the same as it has always been. We must make a return to Scripture, as Francis Schaeffer describes in his book, "Death in the City."
Even in 1968 Schaeffer saw the developments of Secularism and Pragmatism in our culture and described the peril of the church if it departs from the Word of God. Wherever this occurs, there is “death in the polis,” death in the city. He describes Jeremiah to show that even the covenant people of God can suffer the consequences of conforming to their culture. He emphasizes the need of both reformation and revival.
The Christ-centered expository preaching of Scripture must be the highest priority of the church therefore. It is the primary method described in Scripture for giving us the theological vision and it in turn affects all the other ministries of the church. This theological perspective is irreplaceable and it must be proclaimed extensively in our day against all the changing winds and contemporary influences of our culture.
We need to pray for the contemporary evangelical church to embrace the historical Reformed theology that is not conforming to the world around it, but is Scriptural and brings reform to the lives of the people of faith.
Even in 1968 Schaeffer saw the developments of Secularism and Pragmatism in our culture and described the peril of the church if it departs from the Word of God. Wherever this occurs, there is “death in the polis,” death in the city. He describes Jeremiah to show that even the covenant people of God can suffer the consequences of conforming to their culture. He emphasizes the need of both reformation and revival.
“The church in our generation needs
reformation, revival and constructive revolution. At times men think of the two words reformation and revival as standing in contrast one to the other, but this is a mistake. Both words are related to the word restore. Reformation refers to a restoration to pure doctrine;
revival refers to a restoration of the Christian’s life. Reformation speaks to a return to the
teachings of Scripture; revival speaks of a life brought into its proper
relationship to the Holy Spirit.” (P.27-28,
Crossway, 2002, italics original.)
Schaeffer is consistent with all classic Reformed theologians in his analysis of returning to Scripture, to “pure doctrine” and the “teachings of Scripture” in order to recover the priority of the church. This “Semper Reformanda,” this always reforming to Scripture, is needed due to the depravity of our hearts. We naturally seek after our own preferences instead of the truth of God’s Word. But without this historical perspective of Scripture there can be no true Spiritual life or growth.
Historical Reformed Theology is essential therefore and the church must proclaim a theological vision of the priority of Scripture, and a Christ-centered ministry and worship. Any belief that the preaching, worship or methodology of a church must be modified in order to be relevant to the contemporary culture however is in conflict with the faith and doctrines of Scripture. God is the priority and he alone can save us and sanctify us into his image.
Schaeffer is consistent with all classic Reformed theologians in his analysis of returning to Scripture, to “pure doctrine” and the “teachings of Scripture” in order to recover the priority of the church. This “Semper Reformanda,” this always reforming to Scripture, is needed due to the depravity of our hearts. We naturally seek after our own preferences instead of the truth of God’s Word. But without this historical perspective of Scripture there can be no true Spiritual life or growth.
Historical Reformed Theology is essential therefore and the church must proclaim a theological vision of the priority of Scripture, and a Christ-centered ministry and worship. Any belief that the preaching, worship or methodology of a church must be modified in order to be relevant to the contemporary culture however is in conflict with the faith and doctrines of Scripture. God is the priority and he alone can save us and sanctify us into his image.
The Christ-centered expository preaching of Scripture must be the highest priority of the church therefore. It is the primary method described in Scripture for giving us the theological vision and it in turn affects all the other ministries of the church. This theological perspective is irreplaceable and it must be proclaimed extensively in our day against all the changing winds and contemporary influences of our culture.
We need to pray for the contemporary evangelical church to embrace the historical Reformed theology that is not conforming to the world around it, but is Scriptural and brings reform to the lives of the people of faith.
