Recently a ministers’ conference was held which had the general subject of “Tensions and Dangers” in preaching, pastoral ministry and the life of the churches. Tensions and Dangers included such things as preaching (comforting/consoling and convicting/exposing), objective/subjective work of God, profession of faith/profession of truth, expectations surrounding confessing members partaking of the Lord’s Supper, and the call to and pursuit of holiness in the Christian life. These truly are unavoidable, complex, and humbling tensions to maintain – which we never get exactly right! Such “Tensions and Dangers” can really be summed up in the danger of Superficiality in the Christian faith. A quotation that captures this is the following,

The root of all these impending dangers, against which the Church must constantly watch and fight, lies in the heart of man.  It is a fact that man has an enmity and an aversion to the true fear of God and the uncovering work of the Holy Spirit.  Man would much rather rest satisfied with a pious appearance than exercise a denial of self and being saved as a poor sinner by grace alone.

It was very edifying to wrestle together with these issues!  I was brought to recognize again how dependent I am on the Holy Spirit for insight and balance! Here I offer just a few simple thoughts in reflection upon these dangers and tensions:

Part of the glory of covenant theology is the rich, variegated, multi-faceted nature of the relationship between God and His people.  The I-thou, “I will be your God; you shall be my people” is never static, nor insipid and predictable.  In the outworking of the covenant relationship and response we are always being called to rely on God entirely and also to respond to Him with reverential love with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.  This is a dynamic, always-active, up and down (from our side) in which God advances His cause and accomplishes His purpose. I believe this is why Reformed Churches have such a treasure-chest in the covenant inheritance that is ours!

For a resolution of the covenant tensions I would direct preachers and people to the proclamation of Christ.  The objective accomplishment of God’s redemptive purpose is “in” Him and the subjective appropriation of all He accomplished is because He gives it as the One Who Himself is “justified, sanctified, adopted and glorified”! We are to warmly and fulsomely proclaim Christ as the One in whom the promises of God are “yea and amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20).

A second point of reflection is on the calling of the church in the world. It is easy to seek friendly confines where the church can outwardly spread and multiple and increase influence.  This can encourage a superficiality with regard to sermons that are preached, spiritual services that are rendered and the management of demands that are placed upon members.  However, if we see the church as a people in exile, called to suffer and endure hardship/persecution – the superficial will not do.  Real confessing faith is required when the cost is great.  Real godly intentions/actions will stand the heat of scrutiny. The sacraments and the means of grace are not to pat ourselves on the back – but they are God’s provision for the fight of faith – we need real and nutritious sustenance which God blesses.

I value this discussion and pray that the ministry of our church would reflect the whole counsel of God and avoid human-exalting, individual-pampering superficiality.