new church life: jan uary / february 201 4
was given at the culmination of his intellectual development and the dawn of
his spiritual awakening.
He had discovered great things as a scientist, but, recognizing that
scientists tend to give undue weight to their own discoveries, he chose, as a
matter of principle, to concentrate on the discoveries of others rather than his
own, in forming his scientific understanding of the world.
It was his victory over his pride of self-intelligence, and his willingness
to submit the natural knowledge he had gained in such abundance to the
winnowing and ordering influence of Divine truth, that made it possible for
him to step into the role of revelator.
Influenced by Swedenborg? Not him. As the “servant of the Lord Jesus
Christ,” as he identified himself on the title page of the True Christian Religion,
he was inspired by only one Spirit, one Master – solemnly testifying that from
the first day of his call, “I have not received anything whatever pertaining to
the doctrines of that church from any angel, but from the Lord alone while I
have read the Word.” (True Christian Religion 779)
(WEO)
life and the church
Change is ever roiling the world – never more intensely than it is today. But
as the late great college basketball coach and sage John Wooden was fond of
counseling: “All progress is change – but not all change is progress.”
Our attitudes and values are constantly challenged by shifting and
“evolving” views – from doctrine and science to political correctness and “the
new normal.” The world seems adrift without moral or spiritual compass. Even
the Church is not immune.
When and how to change – and progress – is the challenge. And everyone
has opinions.
The General Church has been changing and evolving since its inception
– not in basic doctrines but in practices. Church services are generally less
formal and there is greater variety, from traditional to contemporary. For
many years no one even considered allowing women on church boards. Now
we would not have a board or council without women. Technology is changing
the way we reach out to people. Attitudes are dividing on emerging issues.
The pressure for change is intensifying, and with that pressure comes a
fundamental choice: where to bend, where to stand firm. To evangelize and
grow the Church we must be able to adapt and accommodate to people’s
needs, without compromising on doctrine and principles. In responding to
pressures for change, we must strive always to be led by the Lord. But we are
left in freedom, and reading of doctrine is open to interpretation and personal
inclinations, so keeping the Church true to itself while satisfying both clergy
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