As days, weeks, months and year passes; people and things around us keep
changing. Our worldview, culture and lifestyles changes rapidly. Is it good to
embrace such changes? Go figure! - People change, and we do need to change. Well,
not all changes are bad, and most times, though we do not like it much, change
does bring about good things as well.
But as we look at the Church, has the Church change throughout the
centuries? To me I would say YES! All through the history of Christianity, from
whence the church first began with the apostles to our current times, we have
seen the church changed and evolved so much, and I find that with these
changes, did we lose out the real meaning of what church is?
Just a simple illustration with the picture below:
3 cross counting from far right. Initially the design of a cross is
usually simple and plain but it evolved to a more modern design with diamonds
(middle cross) then it evolved again to a postmodern design where it is simple
but yet sophisticated. What do you think? Does it still look like a cross?
Coming back to the CHURCH… it
started off being the traditional church
during the times of the apostles, and then as culture moved into a more
scientific age, the church had to evolve into a modern church or state that would fit the culture of the times. And
these days, we have and influx of the postmodern
church or emerging church which stresses on being relevant to the current
generation. What do you think? Does it still look like a Church?
Something to think about:
We have been talking a lot about what is the church in the blog posts
and in class, but before we ask the question about what the Church is, I think
we need to define what Christianity is? Sometimes we talk so much about church,
but, did we miss the mark, about what we’re supposed to do as a Christian,
someone who bears the mark of Christ?
To me, we are the hallmark of Jesus Christ and we need to put great
effort in walking with God. Being an authentic Christian as a disciple of
Christ and thus making disciple of Christ. This I call Church!
i like how you portray the evolving church using the 3 cross designs that is obviously different and yet recognizable as a cross. And isn't that what it is suppose to be? Through the centuries the church has changed in its form and its style and yet the world recognizes it as a church. That's what we should find out. How does the world know that it is the church? What is the essence that was kept that was recognizable. That's what we need to know in talking about emergent churches and the likes. Perhaps your reference to Christianity define is this essence. THis is how we know.
ReplyDeleteWe seem to be stuck on the form and essence of the Church. We seem to be in good agreement towards the essence of the church, what it is and what it continues to be through the ages. Yet the form does take a varied perspective. So how does one recognize the common denominator among the various denominations and the must-haves compared to the variety in expression and thus form, the compromiseable element of the faith?
ReplyDeleteI really agree that you raise up the question of what is Christianity, it does make us ponder in the end of our values as Christian.
ReplyDeletebut looking back the Apostles and now, to do a comparison I suppose, the early church were in unity, people learn to give equally and it was in one mind and one heart, but looking back today at Malaysian churches, do you think we lack a lot in terms of unity and passion to serve? don't talk about leaders but the church members, although they give and contribute but how many percentage of them do serve in and outside the church? :)
Christianity and church should be reflected in our love-relationship with God. At the end of the day, what matters most is our love and passion for the Lord, our relationship with Him as He had warned us in Rev 3:15-16 not to be lukewarm. The Word reads, "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth." And Jesus also warns those who perform a lot of work as unto the Lord but not having the relationship with God and not doing His will. In Matt 7:21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' What God truly wants from His church are Christians having real love-relationship with Him and doing His will. That is church, that is true Christianity.
ReplyDeleteMy cell member once shared in cell, "Why am I a Christian?". A simple but yet a question for all to ponder. We are so used to do church and we know how to be a Christian. But what is Christianity to us really? Have we lose the true meaning of being a Christian along the way because of all the to-dos and expectations from outside and within the church? I'm glad you raised such question up Kathrine.
ReplyDelete