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