Oct
22
2009
Stott the Prophet
John Stott, writing 27 years ago (I Believe in Preaching, p. 69):
It is difficult to imagine the world in the year A.D. 2000, by which time versatile micro-processors are likely to be as common as simple calculators are today.
We should certainly welcome the fact that the silicon chip will transcend human brain-power, as the machine has transcended human muscle-power.
Much less welcome will be the probable reduction of human contact as the new electronic network renders personal relationships ever less necessary.
In such a dehumanized society the fellowship of the local church will become increasingly important, whose members meet one another, and talk and listen to one another in person rather than on screen. In this human context of mutual love the speaking and hearing of the Word of God is also likely to become more necessary for the preservation of our humanness, not less.
HT: Z
13 Comments
It seems like half of his prediction has occurred, many churches and ministries are digitized now with big mega-campus churches hollowing out the small ones. I don’t believe this can last however, because true intimacy and humanness will always be face to face.
I like information and teaching and continuous learning very much. But each time when I come to church I am humbled by the fact that God saves so many unlearned persons who are more rich in faith and prayer and good deeds than I am.
It’s very good and very necessary to have a local church. For me it’s a constant reminder that information can strengthen one’s faith, but it does not lead to righteousness without some people to whom you can apply that information.
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I have been thinking about the problem that social technology creates within our society. It is amazing how many third world countries have a greater understanding of family and friendship than we do. In order to have fellowship with other believers, these Christians in third world countries have to travel miles by foot or bicycle and sometimes by car. These people are desperately in need of community to grow. Often times the mindset I find in America is that everything we do and have is better…such an arrogant mindset. I wonder how many broken families and people long for more intimate fellowship with friends and family.
As I read through the book of Acts I am amazed at the intimacy that those believers shared even selling possessions so that others could have enough to live (Acts 2:42-47). They met together regurlarly. I believe that small groups and care groups are steps in the right direction for churches. I think that as technology continues to transform community, we will see people seeking out true community. The Church should be the place that they find it. Didn’t Jesus say that we would be known by our love for each other? Sacrificing time and possessions to meet others needs is essential but so is gathering together in order to know Jesus and the Bible more. Praying together has been neglected by the Church. When was prayer relegated to individual time? Didn’t Jesus ask his disciples to pray with him in the Garden? Didn’t the Church in Acts pray for Peter’s release from prison?
As I keep on writing, you can tell that I am really passionate about this. I really believe that we need to look to Scripture for our example and direction of our churches. So many books and seminars are out there on how to reach the lost, grow the church, etc…but it’s ironic to find all of that in the Bible. Our culture is so saturated with business and marketing that we jump from trend to trend instead of being firmly founded in our understanding of the Bible.
Killer. Thanks.
John Stott is a courageous voice in evangelicalism. He is a prophetic voice, even when it is not popular. He took a lot of heat when he openly questioned the “sacred doctrine” of traditionalism, and that is eternal torment in the fires of hell forever. I believe he is right about this also. It just doesn’t seem in God’s character to torment humans who could not save themselves for eons and eons of time. Philip Hughes was another great voice questioning this doctrine.
Stan Ermshar
But Stott was and is wrong; the concept of eternal punishment is not some ‘tradition’ thought up by people, but is clearly stated in Scripture and is clearly presented by Jesus.
Stott, Hughes, you and many others cannot get your heads around it, but that does not change the fact that the argument is with Gods word and not some arbitrary imposition by a group years ago which ended up persisting as a ‘tradition’.
Just to be clear, I have the utmost respect for John Stott and have several of his books on my shelves which I would happily recommend to anyone, but it doesn’t matter how much I respect someone if something they have said is at variance with the clear teaching of God’s word.
I can’t comprehend an eternity of anything, let alone of suffering, but as that is what is clearly taught and presented by Jesus himself, then that is what I must espouse.
It is hard for us to understand the difficult doctrine of hell because we don’t understand the atrocity of our sin or the greatness of the God that we have insulted by our rebellion. Hell reveals both.
Concerning those “humans who could not save themselves,” that is all of us. Concerning those who have never heard the gospel, they are lost not because they have never heard, but because they have sinned against the light that God revealed to them:
“For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law… They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus” (Romans 2:12, 15-16).
For them, Paul pleads,
“But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent?” (Romans 10:14-15).
Let us hold fast to what God has revealed. Piper’s book _Let the Nations Be Glad, The Supremacy of God in Missions_ is very helpful on this subject.
[...] Justin Taylor provided a stunning quote from John Stott today. Stott, writing 27 years ago, appears almost prophetic: It is difficult to imagine the world in the year A.D. 2000, by which time versatile micro-processors are likely to be as common as simple calculators are today. [...]
[...] Justin Taylor. Published [...]
[...] John Stott, The futurist? Killer quote here. [...]
[...] Writing 27 years ago, it seems that Christian author John Stott predicted a lot of the challenges that would be brought about by the rise of social technology. [...]