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 The
Swiss writer, Dr. Francis A. Schaeffer, presents his material “in
this post-Christian period” to call men back to faith in the
reality of God and revelation. “Post-Christian period” caught my
eye and shattered complacency with its realism. That means the
period in history following the “Christian” period, and I
wondered how many brethren realize the sense and extent of truth in
such a label. Most of us have a Bible-sheltered existence, and find
it difficult to believe that there is an “outside” world so
removed from traditional faith.
Of
course Schaeffer’s terms give a broad definition to “Christian,”
and contrast the wide-spread atheism and amorality of this
generation with past-century dominance of nominal “faith.” But
we are absurdly naive if we think the general world rejection of “Christian
faith” can have no influence on our work today. We are rapidly
approaching a time when true Christians will “stand out” in the
world because they believe, rather than because of their particular
tenets. I said stand out “in the world.”
If
you wish you may twist my statement to mean that particulars or “distinctive
doctrinal differences” are no longer important. The very opposite
is true, Faith in God Himself is eroded as men are led to treat
lightly any portion of God’s word; or presume to select one
teaching as important, another equally clear statement as of no
consequence. In fact, the shocking inroad that liberalism has made
among members of the church in our time is partially the result of
“no pattern -- we do not need authority” teaching, offered in
defense
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of churchhood institutionalism.
We
are hounded on one side by a sectarian spirit that would make the
traditional interpretations of the “brotherhood” (that “great
middle section”) the standard of truth; and on the other side by a
liberal spirit (no less sectarian in the final analysis) that uses
such error to attack faith in firm, unchangeable standard of truth,
To maintain balance in such a conflict is difficult indeed.
If
we do live in the post-Christian period” (and through the
world-at-large there seems to be some evidence of this) we can
expect more and more conflict with atheism and amorality. The
Pentecostalism, Neo-Calvinism, and liberalizing of “fellowship”
that plagues institutional churches of Christ today (and believe me,
they have their hands full) will either. (a) penetrate currently
conservative churches, or (b) drive them to build strict sectarian
“walls” of loyalty, —or, (and Oh, how we must work to make
this the course) (c) we may build constructively on the present
searching, questioning spirit of the younger generation, give them
honest, straight-forward Bible answers (or search with them for
these answers) and so save faith and souls.
Dr.
Schaeffer (denominational back ground; teacher and lecturer in
various theological schools) dwells now “where the action is.”
The “post-Christian period” is a reality with him, NOW! With “us”
—a period of grace, but IT’S LATER THAN YOU THINK!
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