Hearing the Music

Learning from History

I was thinking a little bit about our history this week, back to the very inception of Christ Church. Francis Schaeffer, a name known by many, but not by all, was a pastor in what was known as the Reformed Presbyterian Evangelical Synod (RPCES). Schaeffer, a man who was committed to the scriptures and the Reformed faith, a man who loved children and was known to wear knickers; came to have a global ministry though his apologetics and the hospitality of L'Abri.  

It was the ministry of Dr. Schaeffer that caught the attention of a group of folks in Grand Rapids looking for way of understanding the scriptures and a denominational home that combined scriptural integrity with a compassionate authenticity that truly engaged those around them. And thus, Christ Church became a member of the RPCES, a denomination that would merge with the PCA in 1982, under the leadership of Dr. Schaeffer, and here we are.

It is interesting history but not simply trivia. Two observations may be helpful in gaining a present appreciation for how our past continues to shape us. First, recently a letter from Dr. Schaeffer was uncovered chronicling his thinking on a new Presbyterian denomination known as the National Presbyterian Church (this would later become the PCA) that was emerging out of the old Southern Presbyterian Church. Schaeffer noted with appreciation its desire to maintain scriptural integrity and the Reformed faith, but also its commitment to what Schaeffer called "observable love". Maintaining respect for opponents and those you disagreed with was always a hallmark for Schaeffer of the true Christian. He was encouraged to see this in the the nascent PCA, even in the midst of bitter disappointment and sharp disagreement with their brothers and sisters in the PCUS. It is a reminder to us that this "observable love" is still called for today. Jesus' prayer in John 17:20-26 that we would be known by our love for one another remains a prayer to live into.

Secondly, Christ Church remains deeply marked by the influence of Dr. Schaeffer. It has shaped our commitment to the Reformed faith and Presbyterian ecclesiology. Our appreciation of a comprehensive world and life view that sees the Gospel as vibrant to our view of vocation and the arts as it is to personal salvation has roots in Schaeffer's teaching. The influence of L'Abri (French word for shelter) can be seen in Christ Church's commitment to hospitality and welcoming those who are seeking refuge. Schaeffer encouraged a way of life that cared about the environment. And on it goes. It is a good heritage and a continuing blueprint for the future.

This week we will take up Jesus' interaction with Levi, or maybe he is better known as Matthew (Matt 9:9–17; Mark 2:13–17; Luke 5:27–38). In this encounter, we realize that Schaeffer was simply following the way of life that Jesus modeled. Jesus was the original welcomer of sinners. Jesus was the one who could absorb questions and present a way of life that was both authentic and full of integrity. Jesus was the one who was worthy to flock to!

Photo by Christopher Flynn on Unsplash

Blindfolded

Have you ever been in situation where you were almost completely unable to see? Maybe a blinding snowstorm? Deep in the heart of a mountain while spelunking? In a remote area of woods with no ambient light? Losing sight can be disorienting, even frightening.

I was reminded of this recently through a passage from our old friend J.R.R. Tolkien and his tale of Frodo carrying the ring of power to Mt. Doom. Two times in their journey, Frodo and companions are blindfolded and led by others. The first is by the elves of Lothlorien and the second was by Faramir in the woods of Ithilien as they are led into their waterfall sanctuary. As noted above, it is no fun to be blindfolded. You lose all sense of who you are and where you are. It can be very disorienting, even to the point of making one physically sick. Yet in each of these cases, Frodo and companions were well cared for along the way and the blindfolds were removed in an oasis the likes of which they could not have imagined.

Twenty nine years ago this week our oldest daughter, Madilyn, was born. When she was born, we knew that she had some heart problems, but needless to say, Lisa and I were very much in the dark over the course of the next three and a half months, enduring hospitals, surgeries, a beautiful, tiny girl with such a tenuous grasp on life, until she was finally taken from us. It was disorienting. This was not how we expected parenthood to go. We were very much in the dark.

I don't share this because we have come through the darkness and all is light. We still do not have all the answers as to why this short life; and there have been other "blindfold" moments along the way. But I share it to give testimony to the fact that we were cared for along the way, and though we had moments in which we stumbled, God, through his word and his saints was faithful to us.

One truth that has become meaningful is captured so well in Psalm 25:8–10:

Good and upright is the LORD;
    therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in what is right,
    and teaches the humble his way.
All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness,
    for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

We are able to walk in the dark because we trust the one who is leading us. He is good and upright. All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness. Though we may be disoriented he sees clearly. Though we may not understand where he is leading, there is an oasis of refreshment waiting.

I know that some of you are "blindfolded" even now. It is hard. It can be disorienting. Don't give up on the Lord. All his paths are steadfast love and faithfulness.

Photo by Cherry Laithang on Unsplash

Flocking to Jesus

Well here we go into 2023! Lisa and I were commenting on the rhythms of life and how in the fall folks seem to be excited for the change of season, back to school, etc... Whereas January often lacks that same enthusiasm. Holidays are over. Back to school doesn't feel the same. We all could use a little sunshine ...

I can not necessarily bring sunshine, but I can invite you into a study of the person of Jesus in the gospels over the next several months. The gospels tell multiple stories of Jesus relating to all sorts of people. Poor people. Rich people. Sick. Grieving. Old and young. Jew and Gentile. People known for their sinfulness, as well as those known for their virtue. Looking through their eyes, we see a man who valued people of all kinds — especially those vilified by others.  Indeed, the way that Jesus treated people shows that he was a man like no other.  We should not be surprised, therefore, that people have been flocking to Jesus ever since.  Flocking to Jesus is the title of our next sermon series and my prayer is that it will be a ray of sunshine for you this winter.

Speaking of rays, we will be looking at the Magi this week through the text of Matthew 2:1-18. As you know, it wasn't the sun, but another star that led these wise men from the east to come and pay homage to the one who was born king of the Jews. These wise men were an early example of how people flocked to Jesus.