In Tune with the Culture

Today I came across this quote from The Devout Life by Francis de Sales (1567-1622), "...little faults committed in the beginning of a project grow infinitely greater in its course and finally are almost irreparable...." de Sales observation resonates with truth; truth that is confirmed in our attempt to modify the church so that it will be more in tune with the culture. In an effort to reach the unbeliever, many congregations modified worship, removed Christian symbols from the building and abandoned the language of faith. In an attempt "to make Christianity relevant" to our children and youth we turned classrooms into movie theaters and attempted to find a Christian message in the violence of Halo 3. What are we thinking or are we thinking at all? Why did we decide that tension between the church and the culture was a bad thing? How did we decide that the church needs to be more appealing? 1 Peter was written to first century churches in conflict with the culture, but it has a message for the 21st century church as well.

As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” 1Peter 2:4-6

How did the church abandon its role as a holy priesthood? How did it happen that we no longer trust in the power of Christ to attract followers? How did it happen that we no longer trust in God's word to speak to our children. How did it happen that we think our children will be more faithful if they spend Sunday mornings in a "movie theatre" rather than in a Bible class?

I think it happened because "little faults committed in the beginning of a project grow infinitely greater in its course." The question now, "Are the faults irreparable?"