Or: Are we who we claim to be?
“Whoever, therefore, thinks that he understands the divine scriptures or any part of them so that it does not build the double love of God and of our neighbour does not understand it at all”
Augustine. On Christian Doctrine.
God is Love and Light and in Him there is no shadow of turning. Yet how much do we do in His name that is not of Love? We take His name in vain and play ourselves false when we play church and neglect the only measure that matters.
“The church is the church only when it exists for others. To make a start, it should give away all its property to those in need. The clergy must live solely on the free-will offerings of their congregations, or possibly engage in some secular calling. The church must share in the secular problems of ordinary human life, not dominating, but helping and serving. It must tell men of every calling what it means to live in Christ, to exist for others. In particular, our own church will have to take the field against the vices of hubris, power worship, envy, and humbug, as the roots of all evil…It must not underestimate the importance of human example (which has its origins in the humanity of Jesus and is so important in Paul’s teaching); it is not abstract argument, but example, that gives its word emphasis and power.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffers. Letters from Prison.
If we use Bonhoeffers definition of church how much of church would be church? Many churches may even have ‘existing for others’ as part of a mission statement or strap line yet how they handle their money is often a give away as to what the organisation is really about. Perhaps taking love so seriously makes being church easier, for as mother Theresa would tell us is isn’t about doing great things but about loving greatly, person to person. It can start with us. It can grow as we come together. If we took love so seriously we’d have to rethink everything. Take evangelism as an example.
“Evangelism is that dimension and activity of the churches mission which, by word and deed and in the light of particular conditions and particular context, offers every person and community, everywhere, a valid opportunity to be directly challenged to a radical reorientation of their lives, a reorientation which involves such things as deliverance from slavery to the world and its powers; embracing Christ as Saviour and lord; becoming a living member of his community, the church; being enlisted into his service of reconciliation, peace, and justice on earth; and being committed to God’s purpose of placing all things under the rule of Christ.”
David Bosch. Transforming Mission.
We the “church” need to sit a while, listen to the gospel again. Embrace grace as the work of God to restore our brokenness in the context of a community of union with God and communion with others for the good of all and the world.
Augustine. On Christian Doctrine.
God is Love and Light and in Him there is no shadow of turning. Yet how much do we do in His name that is not of Love? We take His name in vain and play ourselves false when we play church and neglect the only measure that matters.
“The church is the church only when it exists for others. To make a start, it should give away all its property to those in need. The clergy must live solely on the free-will offerings of their congregations, or possibly engage in some secular calling. The church must share in the secular problems of ordinary human life, not dominating, but helping and serving. It must tell men of every calling what it means to live in Christ, to exist for others. In particular, our own church will have to take the field against the vices of hubris, power worship, envy, and humbug, as the roots of all evil…It must not underestimate the importance of human example (which has its origins in the humanity of Jesus and is so important in Paul’s teaching); it is not abstract argument, but example, that gives its word emphasis and power.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffers. Letters from Prison.
If we use Bonhoeffers definition of church how much of church would be church? Many churches may even have ‘existing for others’ as part of a mission statement or strap line yet how they handle their money is often a give away as to what the organisation is really about. Perhaps taking love so seriously makes being church easier, for as mother Theresa would tell us is isn’t about doing great things but about loving greatly, person to person. It can start with us. It can grow as we come together. If we took love so seriously we’d have to rethink everything. Take evangelism as an example.
“Evangelism is that dimension and activity of the churches mission which, by word and deed and in the light of particular conditions and particular context, offers every person and community, everywhere, a valid opportunity to be directly challenged to a radical reorientation of their lives, a reorientation which involves such things as deliverance from slavery to the world and its powers; embracing Christ as Saviour and lord; becoming a living member of his community, the church; being enlisted into his service of reconciliation, peace, and justice on earth; and being committed to God’s purpose of placing all things under the rule of Christ.”
David Bosch. Transforming Mission.
We the “church” need to sit a while, listen to the gospel again. Embrace grace as the work of God to restore our brokenness in the context of a community of union with God and communion with others for the good of all and the world.
Posts
