A Reformed Error…
I came across a thought that I would like to share with my Reformed brothers and sisters. I am not saying this is true of the Canadian Reformed Churches, but we should also not be so naive as to think that we are immune.
” . . . a loss of confidence in God’s Word is not the only error to avoid. If we shift our gaze to the more doctrinally selective churches, particularly of the Reformed variety, we will hear strong affirmations of the ‘ministry of the Word’ and ‘building the church on the Word.’ And typically theses phrases refer to the teaching ministry of the Sunday morning pulpit. The problem here, however, is that God’s Word is not always massaged throughout the life of the congregation., like yeast through dough. People show up on Sunday for the sermon, and often do little more. The ministry of the Word stops at noon.” ~Reverberations , by Jonathan Leeman.
Are we in the Canadian Reformed Churches guilty of this error?
I welcome your thoughts.
That is absolutely and positively true about the CanRC – and perhaps more so the rural ones versus the urban ones! Of course we do come back for the second service in the afternoon, which results in much self-congratulating that we are ‘not like the others who only go once per Sunday’…
Hi Colin, Thanks for your response. I understand the religious arrogance you have alluded to. If this quote is true of some that you know in the CanRC, then let me ask you a question. Are you “massaging the word” in your life? If you are, then are you “massaging” it in others lives? If you feel this is happening in your church how are you being a hand a foot to those in your congregation in relation to the ministry of the Word? Ultimately each person must answer to Jesus for themselves but there is this other dynamic of being a body of believers that we often overlook as we complain about those around us…and I was the worst complainer of all…
Colin, I sense bitterness in your response which saddens me. Every church will have their struggles but how do we personally reach out? Instead of being reactive, be thankful for those to take the opportunity to worship twice per Sunday, and leave the judging up to the Lord. I happen to be a member of a rural CanRC, thankful for the opportunity to worship twice a Sunday in freedom….just simply thankful for the grace of the Lord.
I agree, I don’t think all are like that but it definitely is there, maybe more so than we would like to admit. I would love to hear some insight on how to ‘massage the word’ to those who have one foot out the door already. Or to those that have left, ultimately for these very reasons as described above.
As a Catholic I attend service daily and enter the county jail four days a week for ministry. God leads Christians into active faith. May God nudge all Sunday Christians into a daily faith filled life by His word lived in those who serve.
Yes I do think that this statement is true regarding the CanRC. There are exceptions because I know people who are in their Bibles and applying it in their lives. But it is amazing to me how many CanRCers couldn’t defend the truth of Scripture even after years of catechisms, Bible studies and going to church twice on Sunday. Even though families may read the Bible, it seems hardly more than some ritual or tradition–it is not often a study of the Bible but a quick reading at mealtimes or bedtimes. Some people in fact may know the catechism better than their Bible, and use that in discussions rather than the double-edged sword of the Spirit. Most people don’t even open their Bibles while the minister preaches to compare what he says with scripture. While CanRCers may overall have a better understanding of the Bible compared to your typical church, this knowledge doesn’t often translate into more godliness in their lives or more zeal for the cause of Christ. These are a few of my observations, and I hope that I am being fair.
I think this is a problem anywhere you find people who claim to be Christian. I believe the best way to combat it is to encourage one another to live a life worthy of the calling they have received.