It reminded me of a discussion I have just been part of in our housegroup where we were looking at John 3 and considering the question of why Nicodemus came to Jesus by night. We considered many options:
- it was so he wouldn't be seen
- he was a representative of the ruling council and they didn't want it known they were speaking with Jesus
- it was the only time they could meet
We eventually concluded that we didn't know but the strong feeling was that he didn't want to be seen. In that context the discussion was fine - if we were to base church doctrine on this it could be a problem!
A trivial example but it does demonstrate the point that we need to be absolutely clear and certain of the basis on which we are saying "Thus says the Lord!"
It is difficult, though, to get away from human failings when we consider how much 'the church' speaks with God's authority. One of the problems that Protestantism has with Catholicism is that the Pope is able to speak with the authority of God - in this case it is adding to what God has said / or maybe interpreting it.
The question must be as to where the line should be drawn.
I do believe that the church should be a powerful voice representing God in this world. The reason that the world has stopped listening - in many cases - may well be that we have stopped speaking in a clear voice the message of God.
1 comment:
Good point. It's surely not a great thumbs up to the English church today that in a "Christian" country so few people know what the message of the Bible is. Perhaps the world would listen up if we were more faithful to the powerful gospel.
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