Change and Choice

"Change" has been the theme of Crossway Baptist's Annual Conference. 

The main speakers have been excellent, and all three spoke persuasively about the inevitability and non-negotiability of change. In our dynamic world, change happens.   

Sometimes change can be anticipated, often it is unforeseen, occasionally it is carefully planned and controlled, mostly it is beyond our expectations.  One event triggers another; forces interplay; our equilibrium is destabilised; we can never go back to the past.

No wonder we often resist change, hanker for the past, and bunker down to preserve the present.

The conference speakers alluded to the exponential change during the past century.  "Change or Die" is a common catch cry.  Sure we can try and make the correct choices and changes, but I'm unconvinced that it is that simple.  Seemingly random events and the choices of others bombard our lives.  Every choice we make changes somebody or something.  And the choice somebody else makes, impacts and changes me. 

We are not masters of our own destiny.  In the aptly named book of Lamentations, the author anchors himself to the only Source of certainty, "Great is Your faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:23).

 

If you enjoyed this article, or found it interesting, vote for it at  PlugRug so others can read it as well.

Comments

[Jon]

Hey David, thanks for this. Just wondering your thoughts and also the thoughts of the conference speakers regarding The Gospel. Surely, that is not something that changes!? The form in which it is presented may well change, but the message would not.

Also, your "we are not the masters of our own destiny" comment is interesting. Do we really have what many people call "freewill"?

Just opening a can of worms for all...

It is always comforting to know that we worship a God who is faithful, true and trustworthy to the end.

Jon.

[Julia]

As someone who has struggled with an ongoing fear of change I have come to prefer the use of the term "growth" to put a more positive slant on the changing world in which we live in.

When friendships shift into unchartered territory when someone moves away or interests begin to diverge, my friendships are growing into new forms and beginning a new season.

When I'm not enjoying my job or uni work and contemplate altering my subject selection or looking for new employment, I am growing into a new phase of my working and academic life and am fostering new skills in decision making.

Similarly, when the church must respond to the shifting sands of a post modern world and contemplate how the Gospel should be presented in this new context, our message can grow and be re-planted in a fresh and vibrant way that will bear much fruit for God's kingdom while honoring the truth of God's Word.

Christians are often afraid of change, partly because it may seem like we're just "selling out" or diluting the good news of what God has done in and through Jesus. But maybe if we counter this fear with a willingness to embrace growth and flexibility as we walk in God's Spirit, the prospect of change won't seem so bad..?

[Jon]

Hey Jules, good to see that you're back and thank you for your post!

However, i've gotta say i am concerned with what i'm hearing.

First, i think growth and change are two differnt things. The Gospel demands change. We are first rebellious sinners who are against God but then after accepting, trusting and putting our faith in Christ we are given a new heart. A heart that is for God, for Jesus - we become passionate about Him and what He has done. There is a significant change. Our growing in maturity with Christ then comes after our initial new birth.

Second, you make the comment that the Gospel message can grow and be re-planted in a fresh and vibrant way. I don't see the The Gospel message growing or changing throughout the NT. The Gospel has been entrusted once-for-all to the saints (Jude 1:3) and there is no other. We hear this in Paul's words to the Galatians (Gal 1:6-9) If someone is preaching another Gospel to the one he preached, let them be accursed! Now, that's pretty strong language from Paul and no doubt we need to heed that warning. So, i would imagine that a changing of the Gospel message just to suit our times would actually be dishonouring to scripture.

I do see your point though Jules that there are Christians who aren't willing to change in a lot of ways. Whether that be due to tradition or convienence or comfortableness. But if i was to change the central message of the Bible just to fit the culture of the day then my foundation would be stripped from beneath me.

[David Chatelier]

I resonate with the point that "growth" is generally perceived more positively than "change". My post was about change in general and certainly not about a changing gospel. But our understanding of the gospel can change - and grow - as can our application of the gospel. I like the title of a book I read several years ago, "The Unchanging Gospel in a Changing World". The gospel doesn't change; we do, and our presentation changes according to our context. I'm aware that both Jon and Julia have sought to live and apply their faith in foreign countries, so you are well aware of the issues of contextualising the gospel while "honoring the truth of God's Word" as Julia puts it.

[beth]

oops! What one unchangeable gospel are we talking about here?
Jon, your gospel starts with rebellious sinners.
I've heard of another one that starts with a thoroughly good creation, including humans who are the image bearers of God. Or is it the same Gospel?
Jesus had a gospel that starts with goodnews for the poor. (Luke 4)
Paul (the apostle) had a gospel which centred on the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus according to the scriptures. (I Corinthians 15)
Jesus has another version that starts with a loving Father, and two sons who relate to him differently, and to whom he relates differently. (Luke 15)
Jesus also had another version (for a different time and place) that starts with the Commandments and ends with selling everything and giving it to the poor.
I once met a guy who drew a picture of two cliffs and a cross between them and told me that was the gospel. I don't know about that one, as I haven't yet found it in the Bible...

The centrality of the Gospel is not as important as the centrality of Jesus. And I don't think it's quite the same thing. 'Gospel' here I think refers to the message: the theological constructs we use to put language around the amazing story we're in with God. But the theological constructs aren't the same as the real living God, revealed in a person. If Jesus is central, then he is free to move and do and minister and teach with all the flexibilities and constraints that we see in the accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Some places he says 'Don't tell anyone.'and other places he says 'Go and tell.' Some places he invites himself to dinner, and other places he leaves frustrated. Sometimes he touches, sometimes he speaks, sometimes he spits, sometimes he goes, sometimes he waits.
If we are thinking of 'gospelling' as being following Jesus as he does his thing then I think we'd better be ready for plenty of wild pig stampeding, table crashing, water/wine changes, mountain climbing and dust drawing.
Having followed Jesus for a while now through plenty of adventure, chaos and change, there's no way I'm settling for a changeless Gospel. But I am depending on a faithful God.