T
Tomlane
Guest
CHARLES R. SWINDOLL, Pastor of the First Evangelical Free Church
of Fullerton, California.
(From his nationally known daily radio broadcast, Insight For Living,
Study in I Timothy and published in the Bible Study Guide which gives
a survey of this Epistle.)
'Some Observations on the Contemporary Church.
So we may better understand I Timothy's relevance to our twentieth century
churches, let's make some pointed observations about today's
church in general. It should be to our chagrin that the following
characterize most of our churches:
A. A Deeper Commitment to Tradition Than to Scripture. Many
people seem to think that whatever has been done a certain way for a
long time must be right. So, rather than test its alleged viability against
the canon of Scripture ,they keep right on doing and believing what they
always have. Churches that do this have elevated tradition over the
Bible. They need to return to a serious reconsideration of their traditions
in light of the clear instruction of Scripture.
B. A Greater Concern for Being Successful According to the World's
Standards Rather Than by God's Standards. Today, success in the
church is often measured by such externals as the number of people in
the congregation, the variety of programs, the size and architecture of
the buildings, the number of people who have been saved through
evangelistic thrusts, and the size of the budget. 'Bigger is better and
biggest is best' appears to be the motto. However, some of the most
successful ministries are not great in size. Besides, nowhere does the
New Testament teach or imply that size is the measure of success. The
biblical criteria of success focus primarily on internals, for when they
are right, the right actions will follow.
C.A Greater Degree of Confusion and Uncertainty Even Though It's
Larger Than Ever in History. Although there are more Christians in the
world today than ever before, there is also less decisiveness and
confidence concerning the Christian church's purpose and role in the
world. We need to get back to the basics of understanding, applying, and
proclaiming God's infallible Word. Then, and only then, will the church
regain clarity of mission and the power and courage to carry it out.
D. A Greater Polarization by Tight Denominational Ties Rather Than
Unification in Love. Three times in the Gospel of John (17:21, 22, 23),
Jesus prayed to the Father that those who would compose His church
(cf. 17:20) would be perfected in unity. Christ's consuming desire was
that Christians everywhere would form a strong bond together in love
under His authority. In our day, however, many Christians are more
loyal to their denomination or local church than they are to the
universal Body of Christ. Most contemporary churches are marked by
rigidity and exclusivity instead of an attitude of love and concern
toward all Christians - regardless of their denominational ties or
church affiliations. Again we can see the necessity of paying closer
attention to God's original blueprint for His church and much less
attention to human revisions, additions, and deletions.'
Compiled and Arranged by Jack W. Langford
of Fullerton, California.
(From his nationally known daily radio broadcast, Insight For Living,
Study in I Timothy and published in the Bible Study Guide which gives
a survey of this Epistle.)
'Some Observations on the Contemporary Church.
So we may better understand I Timothy's relevance to our twentieth century
churches, let's make some pointed observations about today's
church in general. It should be to our chagrin that the following
characterize most of our churches:
A. A Deeper Commitment to Tradition Than to Scripture. Many
people seem to think that whatever has been done a certain way for a
long time must be right. So, rather than test its alleged viability against
the canon of Scripture ,they keep right on doing and believing what they
always have. Churches that do this have elevated tradition over the
Bible. They need to return to a serious reconsideration of their traditions
in light of the clear instruction of Scripture.
B. A Greater Concern for Being Successful According to the World's
Standards Rather Than by God's Standards. Today, success in the
church is often measured by such externals as the number of people in
the congregation, the variety of programs, the size and architecture of
the buildings, the number of people who have been saved through
evangelistic thrusts, and the size of the budget. 'Bigger is better and
biggest is best' appears to be the motto. However, some of the most
successful ministries are not great in size. Besides, nowhere does the
New Testament teach or imply that size is the measure of success. The
biblical criteria of success focus primarily on internals, for when they
are right, the right actions will follow.
C.A Greater Degree of Confusion and Uncertainty Even Though It's
Larger Than Ever in History. Although there are more Christians in the
world today than ever before, there is also less decisiveness and
confidence concerning the Christian church's purpose and role in the
world. We need to get back to the basics of understanding, applying, and
proclaiming God's infallible Word. Then, and only then, will the church
regain clarity of mission and the power and courage to carry it out.
D. A Greater Polarization by Tight Denominational Ties Rather Than
Unification in Love. Three times in the Gospel of John (17:21, 22, 23),
Jesus prayed to the Father that those who would compose His church
(cf. 17:20) would be perfected in unity. Christ's consuming desire was
that Christians everywhere would form a strong bond together in love
under His authority. In our day, however, many Christians are more
loyal to their denomination or local church than they are to the
universal Body of Christ. Most contemporary churches are marked by
rigidity and exclusivity instead of an attitude of love and concern
toward all Christians - regardless of their denominational ties or
church affiliations. Again we can see the necessity of paying closer
attention to God's original blueprint for His church and much less
attention to human revisions, additions, and deletions.'
Compiled and Arranged by Jack W. Langford
