The Seduction of Things Novel

I enjoy getting a new car! In July, 2006 after weeks of shopping, I bought my current ride: a candy apple red Mercury Milan. The leather upholstery had that great ‘new car’ aroma! The red paint sparkled. But, it took only weeks for the ‘newness’ to wear off, with a ding here, a chip there! A new shirt, a new hairdo, a new car, new living room furniture, new ideas... all make life interesting. Yet, we know that all too soon, fashion changes, today’s color replaced by a new hue, the latest and greatest idea eclipsed by a new discovery.

While we are aware of that worshiping tradition more than loving God will bring on spiritual death, we tend to minimize the dangers that accompany the seduction of things novel. In a bow to our culture that loves new, rad, (is that word still used?), hip, and hype - Church is being re-invented, in the name of being ‘relevant.’ About 10 years ago, a group emerged in the American Christian church that caught my attention with their ‘new’ language, their emphasis being culturally ‘sensitive’ and responsive to current sociological trends, and their inclusiveness. Even their name, "Emergent," was catchy. But ... the shine wore off as unintended consequences of the ‘emergent’ Church novelties became more evident.

One of the first casualties was the commitment to Truth. Truth is unyielding. It refuses to be molded to contemporary sensibilities. But, some Emergent prophets insisted that our personal stories stood alongside of the Scripture in our quest for God; sometimes even more important than His-story! Others insisted that ‘sin’ have a new definition, and some even questioned the necessity of the Cross of Christ! A new interpretation of Humanity’s unique place as the crown of God’s Creation, bearing His image in the world, has allowed good and God-honoring reverence for Creation to be replaced in many churches with near pagan worship of creation. The anti-authoritarian streak that is common to human nature was fed by emergent ideas that diminished or even erased a role for spiritual leadership in the Church.

Jeremiah, under the inspiration of the Spirit, cries:
"Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.
But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
I appointed watchmen over you and said, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’
But you said, ‘We will not listen.’
Therefore hear, O nations; observe, O witnesses, what will happen to them.
Hear, O earth: I am bringing disaster on this people, the fruit of their schemes, because they have not listened to my words and have rejected my law." (Jeremiah 6:16-19, NIV)

Adopting methodology that meets the needs of the times is a wise way to bring the Good News of God’s kingdom to people who share our space on this planet. I’m not making a case for living like the Amish, trying to reproduce the methods, music, or message of the evangelical churches of the 1950's, or of some other imagined utopian era! I am saying that traditions help to anchor us and serve to guide us. We discard the wisdom of those who lived before us, the accumulated study of the sages to our detriment! Newness simply for the sake of novelty is a path to faddishness and foolishness, not spiritual freshness or maturity.

A curious trend is re-appearing in Christian churches which I believe is a reaction to the folly of trying to make eternal truth and faith easy, accessible, and contemporary. Many, particularly the youngest, are looking again to the beauty and stability of ancient rituals that stood through centuries as expressions of worship and faith. Christian liturgy is making a comeback as is architecture that helps define ‘sacred’ space much to the amazement of those who thought those things dead and gone.

May we not abandon the Truth of our glorious Gospel, allowing ourselves to be seduced by all things novel. Instead, let us love the Lord of Life. The Word reminds us that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace." (Hebrews 13:8-9, NIV) And, as we love Him and His Word, let us be always ready to make the most of the opportunities that the Spirit brings our way to share Him with those who need a Rock on Whom they can anchor their souls.

Here’s a word from the Word. As you meditate on it, note the interplay between the solid Truth and the fresh application of it that keeps us alive in Christ. "And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." (Romans 12:1-2, NLT)
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My hope is built on nothing less,
than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
but wholly lean on Jesus’ Name.

On Christ, the Solid Rock, I stand,
all other ground is sinking sand,
all other ground is sinking sand. - public domain