Page 288 - Through New Eyes

The Course of History 289
These earnest people call us back to the best of our forefathers,
but all too often think that this is all we need.
Now, I don’t want to leave anyone out, but I’m sure I will.
Time will fail me if I tell of the revival of evangelical belief in
Roman Catholicism, the renewal of Psalm-singing in mainline
churches, the deepening theological endeavors of various para-
church organizations, and the like. I have been involved with
many of these, and in each case, those with the Ark think it is
most important; those with the Tabernacle think it is most im-
portant; and those with the ephod think it is most important.
Christendom today is scattered.
The future, though, cannot be envisioned. It is no good if we
all join the neo-Puritans, or the Reconstructionists, or the re-
newed Orthodox, or the discipleship Charismatic. God has
taken hold of Christendom and He has torn it apart. He intends
to put it back together again in a new Kingdom Establishment.
We cannot advance His timetable, or presume upon His designs.
What then? Our present duties remain the same as ever. The
Christian is not called to play God and manipulate history, but
to serve God in his calling. And this pulls us back to basics: Bible
study, prayer, the sacraments, godly home life, public worship,
faithful work on the job.
For the pastor, it means that whatever camp we are in, our
duties remain the same. Let worship be a true covenant re-
newal, with the rite of covenant renewal restored (see Chapter
10). Let us return to God’s hymnal, the Psalter, as the foundation
of our hymns (not excluding the other great hymns of the
Church). Let Bible study and Biblical exposition be foremost in
our teaching and preaching. In this way, we lay a foundation,
we build up the saints, we prepare the way for the New Estab-
lishment to come. Who knows just how wonderful it will be?