|
|
What Is Needed In
Religion: Relevancy The
above title may seem like a strange or even bold claim, especially with the
Christmas Season just around the corner. Yet many seem to think that God, the
Bible, worship, church attendance, and religion are not relevant. A number of
years ago there was a movie showing a big church building. Inside were a few old
folks worshipping but no young people were there. Why? Later on in the movie the
star changes the songs and the “style” of worship. The place is packed while
everyone is grooving to the new “worship style.” Unfortunately
those that say religion is irrelevant today have made it more entertaining and
exciting but less relevant. They have made “their church” nothing more than
a social club. Did Jesus die so we can have coffee and donuts on Sunday morning?
Is it the role of religion to provide a gym or “fellowship hall” so we can
recreate together? I know some will say yes but if that is so why not join the
local gym? Why not have a neighborhood block party to have some fun? Let
us not be deceived and believe that relevancy is just reading the Bible and
nothing more. The Scribes and Pharisees were good at quoting Old Testament
passages but bad at application. Have you ever noticed the number of times Jesus
answered the questions of His critics with the Law of Moses. Jesus often quoted
the scriptures and asked if they had read the law. They knew the law but they
lacked the application. We
may not be leaving God or the Bible out of our worship services but we may be
lacking the application in our lives. The Bible is not just for the church
building. Too many people leave God behind at the building and forget about Him
the rest of the week. At
the same time “relevant issues” are being ignored. Issues such as dating,
teenage pregnancy, the decline of marriage and the home, drug usage and its
causes, how to have real happiness, and a host of other topics. Did I mention
the big ones? Why are we here? What happens when I died? Is there a God? Who is
Jesus and why should I care? Friends
these are relevant topics and only the Bible can properly answer them. –
Dennis Tucker |