The conclusion of a lecture given at a Worldview Conference a few years ago where Gary discusses legacy and responsibility.
In the former Soviet Union, Christians were forbidden to “set up benefit societies, cooperatives of industrial societies; to offer material aid to [their] members; to organize children’s and young persons’ groups for prayer and other purposes, or general biblical, literary or handicraft groups for the purpose of work or religious instruction and the like, or to organize groups, circles, or sections; to arrange excursions and kindergartens, open libraries and reading rooms, organize sanatoria or medical aid.”
Prior to these oppressive conditions, the church could have done something and did not. One might even be able to make the case that the Russian church’s lack of social involvement had a part to play in the 1917 revolution that led to religious and political oppression and the spread of Communism around the world.
Here’s just one example: “It is a sad but irrefutable fact that the Russian Orthodox Church at the time of the Bolshevik Revolution was engaged in a fruitless attempt to preserve its religious treasures (chalices, vestments, paintings, icons, etc.) and was therefore unable to relate meaningfully to the tremendous social upheavals then taking place.”
Once the old corrupt government fell and the repressive regime of the Marxists came to power, strategies for reform had to be rethought. In a nation under repressive domination, the most immediate need of the Christian community is the production of Christian literature, family instruction, worship, prayer, and ways to keep their efforts secret, not grand efforts of social reform that have no chance of success. The goal is to wait out the inevitable collapse of the illegitimate political system and be ready to replace it when it falls (2 Tim. 3:7–9).
Restoring the Foundation of Civilization
There are many Christians who will not participate in civilization-building efforts that include economics, journalism, politics, education, and science because they believe (or have been taught to believe) these areas of thought are outside the realm of what constitutes a Christian worldview. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Buy NowThe conclusion of a lecture given at a Worldview Conference a few years ago where Gary discusses legacy and responsibility. Not all of us are gifted in the same ways, but God has a purpose for every member of His church. Some are hands; some are feet; and some are neither of those. Our talents and skills should be used to expand God’s Kingdom, but this can’t happen until people are willing to step out of their comfort zones in faith.