It is disappointing to me that Linda saw me making fun of the Millers as they left on vacation to the
beaches of Florida. IN REALITY, I was reminding not only them but all who read that post, that the preaching of the gospel is not the definition of what it is that we are to be about when it comes to our involvement in the conversion of the world. Not all. Such a view is even sophomoric in nature and foreign to what we have actually been given to do.
We are prophets, priests and kings in a world in need of the ministry of reconciliation (II Co 5)
In this country (the USA), we have sought to control the world's attitude regarding the church. There was a time when Sunday had its own laws and rules of conduct................................... for the world. We dictated to an unbelieving community what they would do on that Special Day. If they would not go to church on that day, they sure as hell were not going to do anything else !!! And in this force fed political atmosphere, the world decided enough was enough.
And we stood on the street corners and yelled our brand of obscenities at them.
Times are a changing. The world is going to FORCE THE CHURCH to do something right !! .....................................to get real with this ministry of reconciliation thingy.....or die on the vine.
I personally believe that the evangelical community is close to being what it needs to be. It is less sectarian than it used to be (at least here in Fresno) and more open to evangelical experimentation. If it (the modern Fundamental church of which I am a part) were to add to its presentation a comprehensive involvement in the needs of the community in which it finds itself, it would find itself more in tune with the biblical imperative to preach the gospel to the world.
Is the power of the gospel to the found in the preaching of the gospel ??? ----------- not at all. Rather, it lies in the intrinsic value of the good deed !!! I Pet 2:11ff makes it clear that when the world rejects our message (the verbal ministry of the Word) it will see OUR GOOD DEEDS AND GLORIFY GOD.
This is exactly why James defines religion in terms of benevolent action.
That was the attitude I had in mind when I included the fatherless and widows.
JD
