to discuss the relationship with God they’re supposed to have and share with others. “ I’ve listened as these re putedly ‘underprivileged’ people enter into our discus sions courteously and I discover that they are the ones who really know Him. It is plainly evident that God was there before we arrived. As we return complacently to our respective comfortable homes, I feel guilty and sick. For I am enriched by these whom we consider to be ‘without knowledge of God’ far more than through association with our own Christian church folk.” She recognizes that the church has a holy obligation to minister in social areas as well as in spiritual areas. Yet, “ it seems to me that the church is in danger of being a social welfare agency rather than a body of people coming together to worship God and seek out His desires for us — which brings us back to instruction,” she declares. Though the authoritarian approach has been re placed by the “ Let’s sit down and discuss” method, this is not really filling the gap. The seminar may take the place of the pulpit in theory, but it does not work out so well in practice. “Many of us are not yet ready for ‘post-graduate study’ ” says our friend. “We must first get through the elementary years. Isn’t this one of the purposes of the church—to teach? I believe many min isters are wrong in assuming we laymen know as much as they think we do. Most of my church-going friends are equally as ignorant as I ; only I am naive enough to own up to it. “■I was fifty years old, for example, before I realized the meaning of the Lord’s Supper. And it was only at an instruction session on the Eucharist that the sacra ment was made plain.” Why, therefore; is there not more “ instruction”—teaching—from our pulpits ? Th is is a disturbing letter—principally because what this faithful Christian woman says is so true. There is a great void in the church’s adult teaching program. The instruction in basic doctrine, Christian living, ethics, historical and prophetic truth leaves much to be desired. It is high time that our churches realize the bankruptcy of the “ everyone-says-what-is-right-in-his- own-eyes” approach and return to the sacred authority of God’s Holy Word as proclaimed and taught in the power of the Holy Spirit. For the Word is forever set tled in Heaven (Ps. 119:89) and it is the only medium God has promised to bless.
The writer goes on to tell that there was a great uneasiness present in her particular study group when this book was discussed. All sorts of questions were raised surreptitiously and whispered—not voiced aloud —as to whether any of the Scriptures can still be be lieved. Then she conies to the crux of the church’s prob lem : “What has happened to good, old-fashioned instruc tion?” Many questions concerning the Christian faith and the Bible continue to rise, she insists. Yet, when they are asked in church, o f church officials, the only response is: “Well, what do you think about it?” This is tantamount to saying, “Your view is as good as the next person’s.” But, is it? Today, the authoritative voice—the “ Thus saith the Lord!”— is fading noticeably. In its place is the discussion group with everyone airing his personal viewpoint. Our correspondent says, “Group dynamics has its place, admittedly. But I’m not some youngster needing a stimulus to think. I’ve already thought, and am now seeking clarification in my thinking.” Nor is she alone. In an ever-increasing measure, the church is being filled with muddle-brained knowledge about vital Christian truth, simply because opinions of laymen, untrained in the specialities of theology, are being ac cepted as Gospel truth. This is not intended to be a criticism of lay opinion alone, of course. For tragically enough, much of the thinking spawned in our contemporary theological seminaries has a deceptive note to it. The priesthood of all believers-—a biblical doctrine—surely affords the lay man a right to speak his mind on matters Christian and biblical. And, many times, the thoughtful lay person in the church is far more stable than a theologically-con fused clergy. But, our correspondent points out that, while “no one has all the answers, my minister does have one advan tage. He has years of intensive instruction in the area of biblical and theological thought. So, I seek out his knowledge and expect more than the trite, ‘Well, what do you think?’ The people of Jesus’ day sought out His help. They asked Him questions too!” She then in love levels the accusing finger at the visitation program of her particular church. Representa tives of the church call on “underprivileged” people in the community to “ bring God to them.” She confesses to shame at the puerile attempts of untaught church people
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MARCH, 1965
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