After Evangelicalism
The following is a quote of Dave Tomlinson in a study guide of chapter 1 of Chasing Francis (which I haven't read).
"a young woman told me, 'Evangelicalism helped me to begin with, but now I feel I've outgrown it.' Arrogant? Possibly, yet she was voicing something which cropped up continually in my conversations with people: the feeling that evangelicalism is extremely good at introducing people to faith in Christ, but distinctly unhelpful when it comes to ...progressing."
Reading this statement reminded me of an observation made by Gordon Cosby, founding pastor of the Church of the Savior in Washington D.C. It is his contention that the present church structure keeps people in perpetual infancy.
If these statements are true of evangelicalism, then what is the alternative? What are the corrective measures that need to be taken to help the young woman, and countless others like her, to progress in their faith in Christ?
Though we've gone round and round on the deficiency of the present system, the crux of the matter is what do we have to replace evangelicalism? If it is another "ism", we haven't solved the problem, but have only created a new problem.
To the evangelical community, speaking of a departure from evangelicalism is tantamount to heresy. Recognizing that it is extremely helpful in introducing people to Christ may help us realize that its purpose is just that - introducing people to Christ. But to try and make it accomplish something it was never intended for only leads to frustration and possibly rejection.
So where to after evangelicalism?
"a young woman told me, 'Evangelicalism helped me to begin with, but now I feel I've outgrown it.' Arrogant? Possibly, yet she was voicing something which cropped up continually in my conversations with people: the feeling that evangelicalism is extremely good at introducing people to faith in Christ, but distinctly unhelpful when it comes to ...progressing."
Reading this statement reminded me of an observation made by Gordon Cosby, founding pastor of the Church of the Savior in Washington D.C. It is his contention that the present church structure keeps people in perpetual infancy.
If these statements are true of evangelicalism, then what is the alternative? What are the corrective measures that need to be taken to help the young woman, and countless others like her, to progress in their faith in Christ?
Though we've gone round and round on the deficiency of the present system, the crux of the matter is what do we have to replace evangelicalism? If it is another "ism", we haven't solved the problem, but have only created a new problem.
To the evangelical community, speaking of a departure from evangelicalism is tantamount to heresy. Recognizing that it is extremely helpful in introducing people to Christ may help us realize that its purpose is just that - introducing people to Christ. But to try and make it accomplish something it was never intended for only leads to frustration and possibly rejection.
So where to after evangelicalism?
Heb 6:4-5 "Once people have seen the light, gotten a taste of heaven and been part of the work of the Holy Spirit,
once they've personally experienced the sheer goodness of God's Word and the powers breaking in on us-- if then they turn their backs on it, washing their hands of the whole thing, well, they can't start over as if nothing happened. That's impossible. Why, they've re-crucified Jesus! They've repudiated him in public!" [The Message]
Should this not give us a strong clue regarding what it is we are to be "about"? And shouldn't it also indicate when it is only our human yearnings for what seems more glorious, but actually is empty flesh.
Many of us left Evangelicalism years ago following the Restoration vision, at that time via the Charismatic Movement. I think it is far beyond where Cosby has gone-as altruistic as his work might be? The City many of us are looking for is still clear in our hearts as we have visited it often in our dreams. Is it not the reality of the presence and power of God in your journey that satisfies you? If one is still thirsty, that is where they should direct their efforts and faith---chasing Jesus as King and seeking his kingdom first.
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I liked Ron's last sentence.
Mike
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