“Everlasting Gospel: Ever-Changing World”
This is the name of a relatively new book written by Jon Paulien (available at the Adventist Book Center). I picked up my copy during camp meeting last summer. It is Dr. Paulien’s contention that the gospel, the Good News of our free salvation in Jesus, is absolutely timeless and unchangeable. At the same time, he contends, it is imperative that we present the gospel in a manner which is appealing to those post-moderns living in the 21st century.
During the Middle Ages, truth was thought to reside in privileged groups: clergy, kings and nobles. Along came the Reformation and truth was came to be found in scripture. With the teaching of the priesthood of all believers, every person could discover truth for himself in the Bible. But, the Reformation did not remove much of the previously accepted superstition. The dawning of the scientific method of investigation caused many to reject much of what their “fathers” had accepted as truth. Only what could be proved was accepted as truth. The supernatural came to be regarded as little different from the superstitious.
But science also came to demonstrate inadequacies in theories and explanations previously accepted as truth. The theory of relativity and the uncertainty of quantum mechanics described a very different universe than did the Newtonian foundations. Technology, once touted as the secular savior of mankind, proved to bring almost as much harm as good.
Thus, we live in an era when absolutes are questioned. Truth is perceived as relative. Truth is thought to be so elusive as to make it impossible for any one person or group to possess a clear and complete grasp. Only an arrogant egotist would claim to have a grasp on truth. Truth has becomes whatever works.
Thus, Paulien concludes: “People today are crying out for examples of genuine, authentic Christianity—or to use street terms, ‘being real.’ . . . Authenticity builds on spirituality. The most effective path to true authenticity is to cultivate genuineness each day in a devotional encounter with God. . . . The main question about religion in postmodern minds is not ‘Is it true?’ but ‘Is it real?’ The church does not need to be perfect, but it had better be authentic” (pp. 181 & 182)
John Maxwell talks about what he calls “The Law of the Lid.” By that, he means that people will never rise higher than their leader. In the same way, Paulien would say that people will never rise spiritually higher than their spiritual mentor.
Let’s spend that time with Jesus each day that He might transform us into effective, authentic, victorious individuals whom He can use to impact the world with His love.
By Pastor Sherman McCormick
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