CUTTING EDGE CHRISTIANITY |
Word and Spirit act like the cutting edge of a pair of scissors in the Christian life. |
| |
Research has shown that it can take up to ten years in the life of a non-Christian adult to move from their first expression of interest in Christianity to a full personal faith. At some point in this journey there is an acceptance of the word of God (I believe this is true) which leads to an embrace of the Spirit (I know I must change). To negotiate this transition we have to overcome the received wisdom that people should simply be accepted for who they are. It is good to be accepting of people, but we often pray as if this is all God cares about: ‘thank you God for accepting us for what we are’. Having accepted us, the reality is that God wants to transform us, which is less comfortable.
Word and Spirit; acceptance and transformation. Each is essential for the Christian. The Word acts as a rudder for the Spirit, guiding the work of God. The Spirit brings the Word to life, giving it wings. In embracing both we are reconciled to the truth of God (Word) and the life of God (Spirit). People find it difficult to maintain balance in their lives and so it should not surprise us that some churches, and those who worship with them, favour one over the other.
|
|
the church dance group had developed an edgy new urban routine |
|
|
In churches where the emphasis is on the Word and not the Spirit, the Bible is taken seriously as revealed truth and people are eager to learn from it. But the same people are sometimes hesitant to embrace the freedom and spontaneity of the Spirit, who leads us into truth. The dangers in such a church are legalism and narrowness, a lack of imagination and dryness – products of the Word without the Spirit.
In other churches priority is given to the Spirit over the Word. People are eager to feel and see God at work and to listen for his guidance. There may be strong trust in the gifts of the Spirit, though occasionally these are given a greater value in their immediacy than the foundation of scripture. Without the Word acting as a rudder, discerning God’s will actually becomes harder.
By contrast, churches which appreciate the subtle dynamic at work between Word and Spirit are fruitful, exciting and loving places to be. There is creative order, without reckless anarchy; there is warm spontaneity, without dull predictability. Word and Spirit act together like the cutting edge of a pair of scissors. Any church (or Christian) which thinks they have reached this point, incidentally, might want to look at the dictionary definition of ‘hubris’.
The sometimes stale debates about ways of being a church - are we traditional or progressive? charismatic or non-charismatic? Do we want choir or music group? hymn books or PowerPoint? pews or chairs? can obscure the more fundamental issue of whether lasting progress is being made in discipleship and mission through the fruitful interplay of Word and Spirit. Out of this, other questions can be tackled.
The story of the baptism of Jesus is helpful. When he came out of the water, the Spirit descended on him at the same time that the Word was spoken from heaven: ‘you are my Son, with you I am well pleased’. The Spirit and the Word were indivisible at the start of the most fruitful life of all.
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
