Contra Mundum
Charles Colson & Timothy George: Churchless Jesus
Thus in the New Testament, the universal church and the local church are distinguishable but never divorced. The two are not two species of the same genus but, rather, two predicates of the same subject. As Gregory the Great put it, "The holy church has two lives: one in time and the other in eternity." In both instances, it's the same church.
Of course, few churches live up to Christ's vision for his bride. Why should we expect otherwise? After all, we don't. Yes, the local church is usually buffeted by struggles, beset by detractors, peopled by sinners, and in countless other ways, just plain annoying. It's also the only church we have.
It is difficult not to suspect that at root, many liminals want the benefits of tradition and community without having to subordinate their desires to a larger whole.
That's a very American impulse but not a Christian one. Just ask Jefferson Bethke. After his video went viral, the talented young Bethke received a lot of criticism—and counsel—from other believers. Reflecting on his work, Bethke clarified his message. "Saying you love Jesus but hate the Church, is like a fiancé saying he loves his future bride, but hates her kids," he said.
We couldn't have said it better. We only wish it had been made clear from the start.
Copyright © 2012 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.
Related Elsewhere:
Her.meneutics also interviewed Jefferson Bethke and offered a reflection on the video.
Previous Contra Mundum columns include:
Evangelicals Should Be Uniters, Not Dividers | Why evangelicals need to redefine themselves and reform the whole church. (April 23, 2012)
Flaming Truth: Recalling Francis Schaeffer's Challenge | With laser-like precision, Schaeffer hit on the fundamental issue of our day. (February 15, 2012)
Education Is in Our DNA | We should support every effort to upgrade our failing schools. (December 13, 2011)
Real Happiness: Colson and George Bemoan Our National Virtue Deficit | Where a people abandons virtue, government steps in. (August 16, 2011)
Contra Mundum
Chuck Colson & Timothy George
Charles Colson was the founder of Prison Fellowship Ministries, an outreach to convicts, victims of crime, and justice officers. Colson, who converted to Christianity before he was indicted on Watergate-related charges, became one of evangelicalism's most influential voices. His books included Born Again and How Now Shall We Live? A Christianity Today columnist since 1985, Colson died in 2012.
Timothy George is the dean of Beeson Divinity School at Samford University and a member of Christianity Today's Editorial Council. His books include Reading Scripture with the Reformers and Is the Father of Jesus the God of Muhammad? Like Colson, George has been heavily involved in the Evangelicals and Catholics Together discussions. George began cowriting "Contra Mundum" with Colson in 2011.
- Catholics and Baptists Together
- The Man Who Birthed Evangelicalism
- Sacrilege Is Real
- Against the Stream
- Chuck Colson: Evangelicals Should Be Uniters, Not Dividers
Grieving with the Good Friday God
La complejidad hispana: Todo cambió en el 2012
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Tim Childs
I've been a (on-off) Christian for over 30 years in England, but never been to a church! English Christianity can be elitist and 'cliquey' and frankly seems to be aimed at rather nice, genteel and suburban middle class people who seem to have it all together, and might look down their noses on a working class city boy like myself, who can be socially awkward and tongue-tied sometimes. What's the answer? We need to get back to the Gospel, to the message of the Bible, and understand why Jesus literally came down to earth; for our salvation, for a better life in the here and now, and to be reconciled to one another. Aren't Christians, all Christians, meant to be brothers and sisters in Jesus? If so, why are churches more like a social club, and elitist? This is why people are put off churches in England, and why I have yet to find a church myself, even though I try to serve the Lord with all my heart on a daily and on-going basis.
Mirriam Kimani
if you are interested in furthering this conversation Paul. I know that many people may be reading this and thinking, "Why does she even care? Their loss." However, this is kind of my thing. I'm all about helping. I'm all about look at the disparities and finding a solution. My heart is for Christ. I tend to want to protect everyone that I come across. I try to see the good in everyone. If someone is lacking or unfulfilled, I want to know how I can be instrumental in pouring into that individual/s. That's what we're here for right? That's why God called us right? That's why He chose us to further His kingdom right? So if I'm going to be truly instrumental in furthering God's kingdom, which includes helping others to understand, then i have to do stuff like this. Paul, I do hope that I have said something that both you and your wife really take into consideration what I said. I am praying for you. If anyone else needs to make use of that email address feel free to. Be Blessed!
Mirriam Kimani
to the rest of the responsibility. However, if we aren't interacting with the body, we are malfunctioning (Refer to Romans 12 & 1 Corinthians 12). I was just teaching this morning and telling the group that I was working with to think about how hard it is to compensate when you hurt one of your extremeties (twist your ankle, break a leg, arm, or finger, sprain a wrist, etc.), you have to find a way to compensate for what that extremity is unable to do. It's the same way in the body of Christ. From what you have said, I basically hear that there is something that is missing in the church that's often not thought of. There's potential for great ministry there. What if that unfulfilled need that you all see is a need that you can fulfill? What if that is a malfunctioning part of the body that you can be instrumental in correcting? I don't have a concrete solution for you & your wife, but I have many thoughts. You &/or your wife can feel free to email me (mk112887@msn.com) anytime (TBC)