April 2010

by Dr. Harry Wendt
04/21/10

Earthquakes and Fault Lines

In recent months, earthquakes have ravaged Haiti, Chile, and Turkey. Since mid-2008, economic earthquakes have devastated the economies of nations across the globe. During recent decades, ecclesiastical earthquakes have severely damaged the church in the Western world—in Europe, North America, and countries like Australia and New Zealand.

Geologists are aware of the presence of fault lines that trigger earthquakes within the realm of nature. We have become more aware of the corrupt fault lines that have triggered the present economic temblors. What fault lines have contributed toward the crumbling of the Christian community in the nations referred to above? What must we do to reverse the trend?

From among a vast array of electives, those being trained to serve as professional church workers are usually required to study only a limited number of biblical books. Perhaps Genesis-Deuteronomy, one Old Testament prophet, one of the first three Gospels, perhaps also John’s Gospel, and one of Paul’s letters. Few are required to become thoroughly familiar with the Bible’s Big Story.

As a result, doctrines like “Law and Gospel” or “Sin and Grace” become the sole “key” by which to unlock Scripture. Sadly, if we have not grappled with the Bible’s complex narrative and message, and with the enormity of Jesus the Messiah’s Person, message, and mission—we may eventually come to proclaim a “small Jesus.”

Consider the Greek word for “Gospel” (euaggelion). It surfaces four times in Matthew, and eight times in Mark. It is not used in Luke or John. In Matthew, it is used in the context of “the Gospel (i.e., ‘good news’) of the Kingdom.” However, the term “Son of Man” is used 82 times in the four Gospels. Should we not grapple with the context in which that term first appears (Daniel 7:13), and what it means?

In Daniel, the message is: “Although we, the Jewish people, have been suffering for centuries under a series of empires–the Babylonians, Medes, Persians, Greek, Ptolemies and Seleucids–the time has come when we (the ‘son of man,’ the ‘saints of the Most High,’ the people of God) will be given political dominion over the nations of the world forever.” Jesus radically reinterpreted that hope. He taught His hearers and followers that He, the True Son of Man, had come to establish a kingdom of servant-disciples who would serve those near and far–in all that they think, do, and say. His message was not about world domination, but worldwide servanthood. (Here, ponder Acts 2:44-47, 4:32-35.)

Another potential fault line? Most aspiring clergy persons are trained to preach God’s Word. But listening to sermons is not always the most thorough means by which congregations are equipped to understand and follow the Real Jesus. It is worth noting that the Gospels make virtually no mention of Jesus as preacher or of Him preaching, but they make more than 100 references to Jesus as “Teacher,” as “Rabbi,” and as teaching.

So what do we, Jesus' brothers and sisters, take away from all of this? Above all else, we need to focus on expository teaching. The Christian family circle is the most important education institution. Parents must not delegate the work of God’s Kingdom exclusively to paid professionals. Parents will do more to shape their children's faith journey than anybody else.

Another crucial area of concern is biblical literacy. Mature discipleship can only happen when Christians engage in life-long immersion in God’s Word. Such study is hardly a mere intellectual exercise. We at Crossways International (CI) have seen countless examples of how regular, faithful Bible study—especially when “two or more are gathered in His name”—can change hearts and lives in remarkable ways.

During the past 30 years, CI has devoted its energies to equipping God’s people around the world to understand, live out, and share the Big Message of the Real Jesus. And it has produced teaching tools to equip God’s people to do just that. We’d love to hear from you and to work with you. Please give us a call!

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