It was February of the year that my dad died in October. He traveled with me the two hours or so necessary to attend a Christian University lectureship. I was an ultra-conservative mad dog radical who thought he had the answer to every possible question relating to the conduct of Christianity in the 20th century. I was published -- there were several articles published in journals of my own faith-tradition, and I was getting more and more speaking opportunities. I was becoming well known for my stand on the "old paths" and my willingness to try new and innovative ways to bash the heretic wherever he was found "wanting".
It had been a busy day, filled with lectures and classes, and we were tired as we headed homeward. I asked a question I was pretty sure I already had the answer to. But I wanted to hear my dad's reaction to what we had heard. I was sure he must have had his own epiphany, and was sure he had seen the truth too. I asked, "Dad, after hearing what you've heard today, what do you think is the biggest problem facing the church?"
I really expected him to rant and rave against the liberal, progressive, good-for-nothing, fascist, sophists. His answer both confused me and left me speechless -- mostly because I never expected it and really didn't understand it at all. It has only been in the last 8 or 9 years that I have begun to get a handle on the implications of what he said. He replied, "Son, they are taking the gospel away from the common man."
It was just that simple. I didn't ask him to explain, because I was so disarmed and taken aback, I didn't know what to ask. Today, there is no price I wouldn't pay to be able to ask him to explain his observation -- but that is not to be in this life. But I am convinced that 20 years of wisdom later, I may know what he was talking about. That is what this blog is about.
For 2000 years now, man has taken what was in the mind of God and turned it into something God never intended -- an organization; an institution; a corporate body with everything that attaches to such a body. I am convinced that what God truly intended was an organism instead of an organization.
