I have been known to read a book simply because of all the people that protested that same book. Hence my love for Harry Potter! If you are like me I have one for you, It’s called the Tyndale Bible, it predates the King James Bible and was banned by the Church in his day. William Tyndale’s most controversial heresy was translating the Greek word ekklesia, literally meaning “called out ones” as “congregation” rather than the accepted meaning “Church”. The Greek word ekklesia occurs over 100 times in the New Testament and likely reads “church” in your bible. Tyndale’s treatment of that word was seen as threatening to the organized church.
In Ephesians 3:10 Paul says “His intent was that now, through the “called out ones”, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known…” I stopped there partly for emphasis and partly out of fear of treading beyond my understanding. As I have said in a previous post I have been haunted of late by the question; what should the Christian Church look like today? By that I mean the physical existence and work of Christian believers.
Today, as Christians we hire preachers, build sanctuaries, sing special hymns, design programs, how is that working? Seems church attendance is off and our message isn’t getting trough. The last baptismal service I attended was at least 5 years ago. Yes there are some exceptions but in many areas the organized church is becoming little more than a dying civic organization.
I think some of us choose a church like we do a restaurant, one that is close and suits our tastes. Little spicy, little Italian, Greek, or traditional, youth programs, child care, church has become something we consume vs who we are. We have mom and pop Churches, large franchises, and mega Churches not much different than other parts of our life. Our churches, while not meaning to, have erected fine buildings that keep those who should be a light to the world in. At times it seems we are trying to protect our market share. “If you go to church you should come here” has become the message.
What is the manifold wisdom of God we are to make known? A fine tuned argument defending 7 actual days of creation, or teaching how to forgive someone 7 times 70. Is it proving that all the animals in the world could avoid a global flood on a manmade ark? Or is the manifold wisdom of God shown in the flood of blessings we learn to shower on those that disagree? Is God’s wisdom found in our ability to debate or in our praying for those that despise us? Is it found in properly tithing or in learning to be generous to those in need? How to rejoice in persecution, how to have hope in times of trouble, how to turn away wrath with a soft answer, how to love those that hate you, how to turn the other cheek, how to die with hope of eternal life, those are the elements of the manifold wisdom of God!
Where do you learn this, from organizations and programs or from individuals, friends, and coaches? In a building designed to bring like minded people together or in the community where cultures, tempers, and needs are found? My one free day a week is spent not with those who most need to hear the Gospel but with those that have heard it hundreds of times. I like preaching and love Christian music but if you are not a Christian why would you walk into a church today?
This last Sunday I saw some “called out ones” that were meeting in a hotel conference room, I know of at least one church that meets in a bar, several that meet in truck stops, another that meets in a restaurant, all places where those in need can be found. Church is and should be where ever I am, always teaching, always learning, always meeting someone’s need. Not a place where I set to be served and then consume what is placed before me.
Think my next church is going to meet at a coffee shop around a table where I can talk to other people about their needs and mine, talk about their understanding of scripture and mine, and about how to live the rest of this life worthy of the one who gave it to me. Think that means being less churchy and whole lot more of being a called out one.
I think Tyndale and I could have been close friends except for the being burned at the stake part.
David
