Nearly five hundred years ago Martin Luther nailed ninety five theses on the church door at Wittenberg Germany. His scholarly Biblical work began the protestant reformation which radically altered the course of church History in Western Europe and the world. It amazes me that on the anniversary of this monumental event, Evangelical congregations have ‘Halloween,’ parties that celebrate a pagan Celtic observance that is demonic in nature.
I write because I believe it is time for another reformation in the church—the body of Christ—at least as it is manifested in Western culture. My work cannot compare to that of Martin Luther, but I believe that a cry for a new reformation must be voiced. I have neither ninety five theses nor a church door but I will post them in a new fashion.
MY THESES
1. There must be a return to the Bible as the sole authority for the Christian faith. Modern day ‘revelations’ that run contrary to clear Scriptural teaching must be recognized for what they are—heresy. It is only the spiritually weak who fall prey to the false teachers of our day, but their numbers are great. Read 1 Timothy 4:1-7
2. The church must renounce worldly systems of operation. Christ’s church has but one Head—Jesus Christ—He did not leave anyone here to be the CEO. Business models are fine for businesses. The church needs to follow the simple prescriptions of the Bible for her organization and operations. We would do well to resort to prayer to discern the will of the One who is the head of the church. Read Colossians 1:18
3. The church must not depend upon trends in culture for its growth. Jesus said He would build His church. He also promised His power for his witnesses. In reality trends only tell a person how far culture has fallen from God’s standards. (Matthew 16:18 note who builds Christ’s Church)
4. The church must repent. The church must, individually and corporately repent of personal sin and seeking to accomplish God’s will in the world’s way. God is not honored by amassing great wealth or great numbers unless those things come from a heart felt sense of conviction. Many a church and church leader has abandoned the call to make disciples in favor of drawing a crowd. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
5. The church must seek purity. Not only is the call for repentance on the personal level a call to purity in practice and behavior, but the church must seek purity in its doctrines and teachings. The church can ill afford the plethora of popular yet false teachings that abound. (1 Peter 1:15-16)
6. Church leaders must hold to the highest standards of morality and integrity. Far too long we have witnessed television charlatans who fly about in private jets living a standard of life that is excessive at every level. One after another we have seen these individuals fall into sin without any accountability. (Ephesians 5:1)
7. The church’s message must be applicable for every place on the globe. The Message of Jesus Christ is the same in any culture. If the message that a preacher preaches in an affluent Western culture cannot not be preached in a poverty wracked third world country it is NOT the Word of God. We must learn to discern that which is culturally dictated from that which is eternal. (2 Timothy 4:1-2)
8. The church must engage people in the culture without embracing it. God has called His people to be Holy as is He. Culture invariably is at odds with God’s eternal purposes. Culture invariably elevates the ideas and desires of men above those of God. If the church is to be the spotless Bride of Christ, she must live in a world that is corrupted by cultural influences while maintaining her purity. The world is not attracted by that which is just like everything else. The world is attracted by that which unique. The twenty first century American church has come to look just like the culture in which she resides. There is nothing to distinguish her from other organizations in the minds of the lost. (2 Corinthians 6:16-17)
9. The church must set making disciples as her highest priority. Matthew 28:19-20 is not the Great Commission as if there might be another. This is the churches ONLY commission. We must seek to present the gospel to every creature and develop those who believe into functioning disciples of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:19-20)
10. The church must refocus its worship toward God. God has not called the church to congregate for entertainment. Jesus did not shed His blood for our applause and praise to be directed toward our church leaders. Any applause and all praise should be directed heavenward to the glory of God. The twenty-first century church has come to resemble a show worthy of Branson, Missouri, but lacking the awe and glory of the God of heaven. (Psalm 2:11; John 4:23)
Written by Tom Edwards, DOM, South Central Association, Winfield, KS. (Tom is a longtime friend of Ed Ethridge and Johnnie Jones)