There was a time when the church was very powerful–in the time when the early Christians rejoiced at being deemed worthy to suffer for what they believed. In those days the church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society.
Things are different now. So often the contemporary church is a weak, ineffectual voice with an uncertain sound. So often it is an archdefender of the status quo. Far from being disturbed by the presence of the church, the power structure of the average community is consoled by the church’s silent–and often even vocal–sanction of things as they are…
But the judgment of God is upon the church as never before. If today’s church does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will lose its authenticity, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning for the twentieth century. Every day I meet young people whose disappointment with the church has turned into outright disgust…
—Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Letter from a Birmingham Jail
February 28, 2012 at 9:31 am
Thanks, +Mike.
PJ
February 28, 2012 at 4:31 pm
Justice movements usually start in a small group in a church of Christian fellowship group somewhere. Somehow they strike chord and the symphony begins. Justice needs to be done and since we are the rich churches should be keeping vigilance on government insuring the poor get taken care of in ways that are life giving and result in programs that educate, retrain, heal and support. We are the entity that should be doing that –and young people. They are suppose to irritate us older ones because we get too comfortable and do not pay attention as we once did. God was wise to make younger generations a bit rebellious so as to shake our tree and reminds us where our roots are planted. Then one gets new branches, new life and growth. What would happen if we did take young people’s advice?–Something new, something different and something that appeals to those that are come—relationship, mentoring and an honest respect between the generations. Hmmmmm
February 29, 2012 at 11:15 am
Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist, so when he writes “church” we have to try to understand what he means. As we have just seen, our “contemporary church,” the Catholic Bishops, have just spoken out very promptly and strongly about government intrusion into beliefs. I can only speak for myself and a few friends, but we are very happy about this — even if we do not completely agree. At least the Church is taking a strong stand.
King writes: “In those days the church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society.”
If a church just follows the “mores of society” — especially ones that have no scientific proof or basis — how can it have the respect of the people?