MXp

PETER MAIDEN, International Director of OM, is main speaker when OM Sweden has its Annual Conference 25th and 26th March ’06 in Nybblekyrkan, Vintrosa, outside Örebro. 

As followers of Jesus, we’re supposed to be different – but how? Peter Maiden believes that only true transformation, on God’s terms, will succeed.

Recent government elections have led us to understand that the work of pollsters is not 100% accurate!

However, if the pollsters referred to by Ronald Sider in his recent book The Scandal of the Evangelical Conscience are even half-right , it leaves us as evangelical Christians with some real issues. [About Pollsters, see: BBC News / comment by M’Xp/DS]

“The findings in numerous national polls conducted by highly respected pollsters, like Gallup organisation and the Barna Group are simply shocking. Gallup and Barna”, laments evangelical theologian Michael Horton, “hand us survey after survey demonstrating that evangelical Christians are as likely to embrace lifestyles every bit as hedonistic, materialistic, self-centred and sexually immoral as the world in general. Divorce is more common among born-again Christians than in the general American population. Only 6% of evangelicals tithe. White evangelicals are the most likely people to object to neighbours of another race. Josh McDowell has pointed out that the sexual promiscuity of evangelical youth is only a little less outrageous than that of their non-evangelical peers.”
Professor Lamin Sanneh, the well-known African missions scholar concludes, “The cultural  captivity of Christianity in the West is nearly complete, and with the religion tamed, it’s open season on the West’s Christian heritage.”  

Yet, one of the ‘in’ words among evangelicals today is ‘transformation’. We speak of the Gospel transforming communities and even nations. Statistically there is certainly some considerable transformation going on as we witness the unprecedented growth of the Church around the world.

Are there any lessons from history? Well, one period of time we might seriously consider is one that seemed to be a triumphant period for the Church. After Constantine defeated Maxentius in 312 to become the sole emperor in the West, he took the momentous decision to adopt Christianity as his favourite religion. The Edict of Milan in 313 guaranteed Christians freedom from persecution throughout the empire. This led to rapid expansion of the Church in the second half of the third century and even more impressive growth in the fourth century.

Looking back, however, on that period Stuart Murray asks the penetrating question: “Had Christianity conquered the empire or had the empire co-opted and domesticated Christianity?”

Right thinking
results in right living
If communities and nations are to be transformed, that can only be as individuals are truly transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. Anything less will only be cosmetic, and though apparently in the short-time it may lead to gains, in the long-term the losses may well exceed those gains. In 1 Corinthians chapters 2 and 3 we see that a crucial part of this transformation is a transformation of the mind. “It was wrong thinking”, writes Paul in chapter 2 verse 8, “that led to the crucifixion of the Lord of Glory.” The rulers of the age just did not understand the ways of God. In verses 6 and 7 of chapter 2, Paul drives a sharp contrast between the wisdom of this age and the rulers of this age and divine wisdom.

It’s a contrast which is seen in many parts of Scripture. In Matthew 20 Jesus explains to the twelve that they are now on their way to Jerusalem and there he will be mocked, flogged, crucified and on the third day raised to life.

The mother of Zebedee’s sons seemed to get in on the act pretty quickly. “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right hand and the other at your left in your Kingdom.”

We might think, “Well, there’s a good mum: only wanting the best for her boys!” But Jesus makes it clear that this is the thinking, the planning of this age. The thinking and planning required within his Kingdom is entirely different. For this lady, the transformation has not truly taken place. Jesus says, “This is how rulers of the gentiles think and plan.” And then those four crucial words, “NOT SO WITH YOU. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant and whoever wants to be first must be your slave.” And the Son of Man giving his life a ransom for many – the Lord of Glory on a Roman cross – is the central image and illustration of this transformed thinking.

The more I see of the growth of the Church in my own nation and around the world, the more I’m convinced that we need to be careful to proclaim the full Biblical Gospel and to follow that with careful nurturing and discipling programmes in our churches. We must live out true transformation – which only the Holy Spirit can bring – in our own lives and look for it in the lives of those who come to faith through our ministry. This transformation will be seen so clearly in the mind, in the way that we think about situations which arise in our lives, in the way that we respond to opportunities and crisis. Have we been truly transformed? Are we proclaiming true transformation? Is there a danger that we are short-changing the Gospel and seeking a fast-track discipleship which is missing out on essentials?

Programme with Peter Maiden 25-26 March in Örebro.