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Can the Church Survive? (No. 3)
Batsell Barrett Baxter
The future of the church is hopeful because of today's climate of thinking. In spite of the fact that there are many dangers in our world and many enemies of the cause of Christ, I believe it can be said that the future of the church is hopeful because of the times themselves. In fact, the signs have seldom been more favorable for the presentation of undenominational Christianity. Christ and his church face an open door of unparalleled opportunity.
First of all, there is a current revival of interest in Jesus. We see this reflected in conversations, even in popular music of the day, and in printed materials of various kinds. One writer has spoken of the "epidemic of new translations" as an evidence of increased interest in the Scriptures. It appears that the nation's publishers are preparing for a bull market by publishing not only new translations but also many other books relating to religious matters. Joe Shulam, a native Jew who was trained at David Lipscomb College, is again in his homeland of Israel preaching the gospel of Christ.
We recently told of the publication of a new book about Jesus. Almost unbelievably this new book presents a "sympathetic and favorable" attitude toward Jesus, even though it was written by the Chief Justice of Israel's Supreme Court. This would have been unheard of a few years ago.
This revival of interest in Christ is especially intense among young people. They have seen the bankruptcy in the lives of many of their parents. Materialism does not appeal to them. Sensualism has been tried and does not provide continuing happiness. Even "liberal" religion does not appeal. So, often with long hair and headbands, wearing sweaters and bluejeans, many young people today are carrying Bibles and reading and studying them. The desperate situation of our world, then, becomes the opportunity of God's church.
Just here, lest I be misunderstood, I want to say that the "Jesus Movement" is often quite different from the Jesus and his message of which we read in the Scriptures. The lyrics and central theme of popular plays like "Jesus Christ, Superstar" and "God-spell" arc even blasphemous in my judgment, yet there is some encouragement to be found in the fact that many people are now talking and thinking of Jesus who were oblivious to him only a short time ago. Many of these young people who are turning away from other philosophies and ways of life do not yet really understand who Jesus is and what his message involves, but the very fact that they are reading his book and using his name is an open door. It is not where they are that is encouraging, but the fact that they are moving in a religious direction and that we have opportunities which were unavailable in earlier years to guide them to an accurate knowledge of New Testament Christianity.
An Anti-Establishment Mood
A general anti-establishment mood pervades the times. The institutionalized, denominational church with its top-heavy organization has become a hiss and a by-word. Hierarchies, priestly control, the clergy-system, and the edifice-complex are rejected almost totally. But, isn't this what we have been saying all along? Have we not constantly pointed out that the church of the New Testament centers in none of these things? Simple, undenominational Christianity is the honest, down-to-earth kind of religion that many are seeking today. Creeds, man made laws and human traditions are out of favor. The trend is toward "what the Bible says." We need to fly it as a flag that "Our only creed is Christ." We need to shout from the housetops that the Bible is our only authority. The message we preach must be truly Biblical. We must preach such central themes as the Fatherhood and sovereignty of God, the deity and Lordship of Christ, the sinfulness of man, God's love and grace, and man's need to respond in obedient faith. We must show the value of a genuine personal relationship with Christ. These are the messages for today, just as they have always been the heart of the Christian gospel.
Many Are Dissatisfied
Many denominational preachers and other church leaders are dissatisfied with their liberal religions. Businessmen are speaking out as being "fed up" with the meaninglessness and the liberalism of their churches. The restoration appeal faces an open door of opportunity. People arc again ready to hear the slogans, "Let us speak where the Scriptures speak and be silent where the Scriptures are silent," and "Let us have a 'Thus saith the Lord' for everything that we do in faith and practice." It is a time for speaking where the Scriptures speak and for living what the Scriptures teach. In sum, there are millions of hungry hearts and souls who are seeking Christ and his message. Only Christ meets man's needs. Modern man has tried everything else and found that it does not offer the deep, permanent satisfaction that he seeks. Now, if we are but ready for the challenge, we have unusual opportunities of holding out the only answer to man's deepest needs-the Lord Jesus Christ. (More to come.)