Pensamientos para hoy (afterthought for today)
Change Vs Progress
A few of the politicians who are running to be candidates in next year's presidential election are running on a platform of change. Politics is not the only place where people are calling for change. In some religious circles people want change. But change for the sake of change is not necessarily always good. Years ago I read a book by a leading liberal theologian who was appalled at the lack of respect for the Bible among many of his fellow liberals. He pointed out that these liberal theologians had bought into the idea that new is better.
Many people think that if it is new, it must be better. Take cars for example. Newer cars get better gas mileage, but they are so complicated that the average person can't work on his own car. Auto mechanics must use expensive computerized equipment to perform repairs. In my opinion, this change is not progress.
Progress, not change, is the goal for which we should strive. Progress is defined as: "moving forward," "advancing toward perfection," "improvement". Change is defined as: "substituting or replacing one thing with something else," "to transform," "to become different". A rotten tomato has changed from being a fresh edible tomato to becoming rotten and good for nothing. Similarly, some of the most liberal seminaries that were once very evangelical and doctrinally sound have changed their positions and no longer believe the Bible. So change does not necessarily mean it will be a change for the better.
The church does not need to change for change sake, but it does need to make progress. As God's people we need to keep pushing forward. We should never be satisfied with the victories of the past. We must keep our eyes open for new opportunities. Does this mean that the church needs to change? If you mean by change that the church needs to use methods that can reach the younger generation--yes. If you mean that the church must change so that it uses the most current technology available to spread the gospel--yes. If you mean that the church must change so that our style of worship and teaching are helping God's people worship in a way that is meaningful--yes. But if you mean that we must change our message, then no we cannot make this kind of change. God is immutable. He does not change. Yes, the way that he deals with each generation changes according to his eternal yet progressive plan, but God himself does not change. Neither does his word change. Jesus says: "For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished (Matthew 5:18)."1 Let's make progress. Let's do our best to use the best methods available, but let's be careful not to change God's changeless message.
Making progress by God's grace,
Pastor Steve
January 11, 2008
Footnotes1 Matthew 5:18, NASB (New American Standard Bible). Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.
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