Battering Ram or Wadded up Kleenex
A little over a week ago I wrote a blog post about the model of the mega-church. I made some critiques that focused on the mega-church's tendencies to shy away from a robust and biblical view of worship. One thing to keep in mind when we think about these things is that the church is to be on the offensive in its declaration of truth against lies that often arise in culture. This does not mean that we are to be rude or hateful but it does mean that we are to be bold and unashamed. Here is a quote from Doug Wilson that encapsulates this idea nicely:
Jesus promised us that the gates of Hades would not prevail against the Church (Matthew 16:18). It is not often noted that the gates of Hades are not an offensive weapon. Hades is being besieged by the Church; it is not the other way around. We need to learn to see that biblical worship of God is a powerful battering ram, and each Lord's Day we have the privilege of taking another swing. Or, if we prefer, we might still want to continue gathering around with our insipid songs, dopey skits, and inspirational chats in order to pelt the gates of Hades with our wadded up kleenex. (A Primer on Worship and Reformation, p. 32 )
More food for thought when it comes to the proper disposition of The Church towards the culture it finds itself in.
Let me know what you think!
Michael