The Church’s Vital Mission: Unpacking the Spirituality of the Church
Reclaiming a Crucial Doctrine
The spirituality of the church is a doctrine that has been misunderstood and misused throughout history. However, its core message remains vital to the church’s central mission and mandate. In his book, Empowered Witness, Dr. Alan Strange sheds light on this doctrine, urging readers to examine the church’s power and limits and to avoid politicizing it.
A Brief History
The doctrine of the spirituality of the church emerged during the Reformation, particularly in Scotland, where the king was seen as the head of the church. The Scots argued that Jesus Christ, not the king, is the head of the church, and that the church is its own institution, separate from the state. This idea was later referred to as the “spiritual independency of the church.”
A Distortion of the Doctrine
However, in the 19th century, this doctrine was distorted by some Southern theologians, who used it to justify the church’s silence on social issues like slavery. They claimed that the church, as a spiritual institution, should not address political matters. But Charles Hodge, a prominent Presbyterian theologian, disagreed, arguing that the church has a moral obligation to speak out against injustice.
Protecting the Church from Mission Creep
At its core, the spirituality of the church is about protecting the church from mission creep. It’s about understanding the church’s unique mission and avoiding distractions. The church is a spiritual institution, created by the Holy Spirit, with a specific purpose: to proclaim the gospel to a lost and dying world.
The Church’s Unique Role
The church is not a civil institution, nor is it a biological institution like the family. It is a spiritual institution, gathered and perfected by the Holy Spirit through the means of grace, such as preaching, sacraments, and prayer. The church’s role is to express the gospel clearly, proclaiming that Jesus Christ is our Savior from first to last.
A Call to Action
The doctrine of the spirituality of the church is a call to action, urging the church to focus on its central mission and avoid distractions. It’s a reminder that the church has a moral obligation to speak out against injustice and to proclaim the gospel to a lost and dying world. By reclaiming this doctrine, we can empower the church to fulfill its vital mission.
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