{"id":14,"date":"2012-11-05T01:19:43","date_gmt":"2012-11-05T01:19:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.reformationministries.com.au\/blog\/?p=14"},"modified":"2013-10-09T10:13:33","modified_gmt":"2013-10-08T23:13:33","slug":"reformers-reforming-post-tenebras-lux","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.reformationministries.com.au\/blog\/2012\/11\/reformers-reforming-post-tenebras-lux\/","title":{"rendered":"Reformers Reforming: Post Tenebras Lux"},"content":{"rendered":"

Most are familiar with the Reformation and the cry, post tenebras lux<\/em> <\/span>\u2013 after darkness, light! This cry, issued by the Reformers, illustrated the very heart of and need for reform within the Church. Darkness had enveloped the world and it was necessary for the Light to shine. What was this darkness? It had to do with the fact that the True Light, coming into the world (John 1:9), had been placed under a basket. Little flashes of light were seen from time to time, sneaking through the weave, but for the most part, the light was contained.<\/p>\n

This state arose because the Church, appointed by Jesus Christ to proclaim His Law-Word to the ends of the earth, and therefore to shine the light to its greatest degree, abandoned the idea of service to Christ for an attitude of self-service. In short, the Church began to serve its own purposes, desires, and inclinations. The message of the Gospel was forgotten. The proclamation of Jesus as the only means of reconciliation to God, with all its attendant good for the world, was replaced by a proclamation of Rome and Her own importance.<\/p>\n

Instead of the proclamation of Jesus Christ and the fullness of His being as the very revelation of God \u2013 a revelation that brought truth, purpose, meaning, freedom, reconciliation, and light to those who dwelt in darkness \u2013 Rome brought error, hopelessness, confusion, slavery, discord \u2013 especially between man and God \u2013 and the light was shut up. So darkness fell! As darkness fell, ignorance grew. Men were as far from God as ever. Sadly, the institution appointed to bear light, chose darkness instead.<\/p>\n

Into this situation, by God\u2019s merciful hand of providence, came a long line of Reformers. They had a motto: Ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda secundum verbum Dei <\/span>(“The church reformed, always being reformed (or always Reforming) according to the Word of God”) The Reformers understood that true light could only be attained by a faithful proclamation of the True Light \u2013 Jesus Christ the Righteous Son of God<\/span>. However, they did not simply stop at proclamation. They went to the source document, the Bible, to see exactly what God had revealed and commanded of men. They were no longer guessing in the dark. They opened God\u2019s eternal word written and therein found God\u2019s eternal Word living. They found the Light of the world and they began to let that Light shine; and this by faithful and obedient proclamation of the whole counsel of God.<\/p>\n

Why are these points raised? Why the little history lesson? These questions are best answered by the old saying, \u201cThose who ignore history are bound to repeat it.<\/em>\u201d The argument, here, is that once again the Church is failing in her duty to faithfully proclaim the truth of the Light, Jesus Christ.<\/span> Once more, we see departures from and a weakening of the Light \u2013 the proclamation of the whole counsel of God as revealed in Jesus the Christ. We once more see institutions begin to be self-serving, rather than self-sacrificing<\/span>. We see some sectors of the Church unsure as to where to look for answers. Such a state will only bring in ever increasing amounts of compromise. This compromise will in turn lead to darkness, confusion, and slavery.<\/p>\n

When faced with such a situation, we necessarily must ask, \u2018What is the best way forward?\u2019 The answer, the sole answer, in this situation is to return to the cry of the Reformation \u2013 \u201cThe church reformed, always being reformed (or always Reforming) according to the Word of God!<\/span>\u201d This creed, if you will, gives us the sure foundation because it encapsulates all the necessary aspects of successful Church life. In contrast to this full creed, the moderns are tempted in one of two ways, both of which bring disaster to the Church and to its function as a faithful proclaimer of the Light.<\/p>\n

The first error<\/span> is seen when the creed is altered to, \u201cthe church reformed, reformed<\/em> according to the Word of God.<\/span>\u201d The change here is subtle, but it essentially makes the Reformation, a fact of history<\/em>, the be-all and end-all of Church reform. The problem with this view is that it fails to grasp the idea that the Church is a living organism. In this view, the only reform the Church needed, and which it will receive, has happened and we must cling tenaciously to every word uttered some 500 years ago, as though that is the last word. This view, however, misses the clear fact that, by its very nature, the Church must grow and mature. It must turn from a seed to a giant tree, which, in this case, fills the whole world. None of us would be satisfied if we reached puberty and stopped developing. The horticulturists amongst us would not be satisfied with a yard full of immature plants. Imagine a summer without the ripe fruits because all the trees had budded, but no bud had matured. Similarly, the Church is alive and it is growing. Consequently, it must change. It must pass through different stages of growth.<\/p>\n

The second error<\/span> is seen when the creed is altered to, \u201cThe church, always reforming!<\/span>\u201d Here, we clearly encounter the desire for change, but note that the standard of change has been omitted<\/em>.\u00a0 God\u2019s word no longer holds the place as the sole director of the Church\u2019s life. Rather, we are influenced by men, vain philosophies, and dare it be said, carnal desires. It seems that this is the particular situation that plagues the Church of today.<\/p>\n

In such circumstances, we encounter a flurry of activity. People, left, right, and centre, are running a programme for this and a programme for that. There is always one new, sure\u2013fire, guaranteed way to fill the Church or to have a greater impact upon society\u2014that is, until it is discarded for the next sure-fire, guaranteed way and so on!<\/span><\/em> The problem at this point is singular. We have omitted from our creed the one objective standard that would give sure guidance and which would allow the Light to shine. That objective standard is God\u2019s word, the Bible. It is not a coincidence that, in the post-modern world, the Church\u2019s rejection of Scripture as its sole authority has led to a post-modern infiltration into the Church in which \u2018men do what is right in their own eyes\u2019.<\/p>\n

Examples of this modern approach abound, here are two, taken from two different mission organisations: \u201cTo that end, people are given the freedom to experiment with new ideas and implement creative methods and even if they fail, they can try again. \u2026 We encourage men and women to use whatever means will be effective in communicating the gospel. Creative ideas, innovative strategies and unique concepts are being employed<\/em>\u2026.<\/span>\u201d \u201cWe do not encourage the espousing of doctrinal emphases that could and would divide us and distract us away from our objectives.<\/em><\/span>\u201d<\/p>\n

Please note the absolute lack of reliance upon God\u2019s word. Rather, we see that men are to \u201cexperiment\u201d and realise \u201ccreative methods.\u201d Why? Is it the case that if they happen upon the exact method of success they will patent it, bottle it, and ship it to every Church? It would seem not. Sadly, all this creativity is couched in words that expect failure! Interesting. Does God in His word expect failure? Is God at present sitting in the heavens bewildered and distraught that He cannot make things work according to His purposes and plans? Methinks not (Isaiah 46:8-11)! The modern Church is filled with those whose activities are not governed \u201caccording to the word of God.\u201d Consequently, they are trying to reinvent the \u201ctheological wheel\u201d. They experiment and become creative in a vain hope, rather than taking instruction from the only wise God (Romans 16:27).<\/p>\n

Then we view the second quotation. Heaven forbid that doctrine should get in the way of men\u2019s ideas. Well, no! May God forbid that men\u2019s ideas should get in the way of true doctrine<\/span>! The believers in the early Church had \u201call things in common. (Acts 2:43)\u201d This included doctrine. They all believed the same thing in regard to Jesus Christ, His person, work, and purpose. Why is it today that we want to avoid doctrine and that we are certain that Biblical doctrine will divide<\/em> rather than unite? Could it be that we prefer the subjective autonomy provided to us by a post-modern world where truth is unknowable and where we can rule our lives according to our own standards, rather than by God\u2019s standard?<\/p>\n

Here is a plea for a vibrant, healthy, maturing, Church, in which the redeemed constantly and consistently \u201cproclaim the excellencies of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light!\u201d<\/span><\/span> (1 Peter 2:9) It is a plea to be consistent with the Reformational creed. Let us realise and glory in the fact that the Church is a living entity and that it is encumbered upon Her to meet each new challenge in every subsequent age. It must be said \u2013 lightening rods on standby \u2013 that Luther, Calvin, and co, did not have everything nailed down. However, let us also understand that the Church\u2019s obligation in these challenges is not to rely on man\u2019s inventiveness or creativity. It is, rather, to declare, \u201cThus says the Lord God!\u201d<\/p>\n

The path to a living, maturing, vibrant church, that truly impacts the world and glorifies God, is to be found in humble, covenantal obedience to the Biblical standards revealed in Jesus Christ and attested by the Holy Spirit. It is found in\u00a0believing and applying\u00a0God\u2019s revealed objective standard, the Bible, and not in man\u2019s subjective invention<\/span>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Most are familiar with the Reformation and the cry, post tenebras lux \u2013 after darkness, light! This cry, issued by the Reformers, illustrated the very heart of and need for reform within the Church. Darkness had enveloped the world and … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[47,48,7,6],"tags":[50,51],"class_list":["post-14","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-church","category-doctrine","category-ecclesiology","category-reform","tag-doctrine-bible-gods-word-reformers-creed","tag-doctrine-reformers-bible-creed-gods-word"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2V1tu-e","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reformationministries.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reformationministries.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reformationministries.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reformationministries.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reformationministries.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.reformationministries.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":570,"href":"https:\/\/www.reformationministries.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14\/revisions\/570"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reformationministries.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reformationministries.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reformationministries.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}