Status Updates From Authority

Nicodemus was educated out of the position that he just needed more understanding- our Lord explained that he needed rebirth granted by Someone outside of himself. Lydia wasn’t converted because of Paul’s personality or learning - her heart was opened.

Fearing loss of influence, the church accepts substitutes of authority (“makeshifts”). More advertising? More social justice concern? Greater use of telecommunications? More intellectual and scientific affirmation of intelligence? More unification of the church into one body? Doesn’t hold a candle to God’s method: the use of “the Spirit and His authority and power”.

Great case for the neglect of the authority of the Spirit, a “main source of weakness in modern Evangelicalism”. Mid-19th century leaders wanted a “dignified” service with intellectual ministers rather than those filled with the Spirit. They got more forms and ceremonies (plus more pride of learning and knowledge) and avoidance of any enthusiasm. Self-importance and cowardice took over.

Maybe I should read more Blaise Pascal. “The supreme achievement of reason is to bring us to see that there is a limit to reason.” Like the priest in Rudy - ‘after years of religious study, I’ve come to two conclusions - there is a God, and I am not Him.’

World doesn’t know God by wisdom/philosophy. God is eternal, endless in majesty and might, and man is both finite and sinful. He can’t understand God because their natures are wholly different. So man must realize his (intrinsic) failure to reach God on his own, that he’s essentially a child. “There is no hope…unless God in His kindness and grace and love chooses to reveal Himself.”

I already love this short book more than the D. James Kennedy pamphlet. Dr. Lloyd-Jones starts with “if I know anything”, admits the church has lost much influence because the crowds do not recognize its authority, points out that the Catholic Church owes its prevalence to a bid for authority (based on longevity), and then says that cults build success based on authority. Can’t wait to see where he goes.

One chapter to go