A Sense of History and A Sense of Destiny
Not sure how to put this feeling into words, but I'll give it a stab.
There is an undeniable sense of history in Rome.
Lora and I walked along the via Sacra near the Arch of Titus and stepped on the same stones that conquering Roman armies paraded down 2000 years ago! We visited Mamertine Prison where Peter was held before he was crucified upside down! The Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums contain some of the most amazing relics in Christendom! And one of my favorite places was The Church of San Clemente. It has three layers of history! A 12th century church was built over a 4th century church which was built over ancient catacombs. And you can go down about 30 feet under the church and see the different layers of history.
The sense of history is off the charts! And a sense of history is incredibly important. I think it was Churchill who said, "The farther backward you look the farther forward you are likely to see."
I hope this doesn't come across as judgmental, and I didn't actually visit any live church services in Rome, but the churches felt like museums. It felt like there was more history than destiny! I really think the architecture, frescoes, sculptures, and paintings glorify God. And I have no question that many of the architects and artists and bishops were inspired by God to do what they did. But it is so easy for something to become institutionalized. So you have the physical remains, but the spirit that motivated them is missing. It's all form and no function!
I'm not even sure what I'm trying to say, but I think it's this: a healthy church has a strong sense of history coupled with a strong sense of destiny. If you lose that sense of destiny it is so easy for a church to turn into a museum. We need to remember where we come from. But we also need to know where God is taking us. Our sense of history has to fuel a sense of destiny.
Just thinking out loud.
There is an undeniable sense of history in Rome.
Lora and I walked along the via Sacra near the Arch of Titus and stepped on the same stones that conquering Roman armies paraded down 2000 years ago! We visited Mamertine Prison where Peter was held before he was crucified upside down! The Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums contain some of the most amazing relics in Christendom! And one of my favorite places was The Church of San Clemente. It has three layers of history! A 12th century church was built over a 4th century church which was built over ancient catacombs. And you can go down about 30 feet under the church and see the different layers of history.
The sense of history is off the charts! And a sense of history is incredibly important. I think it was Churchill who said, "The farther backward you look the farther forward you are likely to see."
I hope this doesn't come across as judgmental, and I didn't actually visit any live church services in Rome, but the churches felt like museums. It felt like there was more history than destiny! I really think the architecture, frescoes, sculptures, and paintings glorify God. And I have no question that many of the architects and artists and bishops were inspired by God to do what they did. But it is so easy for something to become institutionalized. So you have the physical remains, but the spirit that motivated them is missing. It's all form and no function!
I'm not even sure what I'm trying to say, but I think it's this: a healthy church has a strong sense of history coupled with a strong sense of destiny. If you lose that sense of destiny it is so easy for a church to turn into a museum. We need to remember where we come from. But we also need to know where God is taking us. Our sense of history has to fuel a sense of destiny.
Just thinking out loud.
5 Comments:
Good word.
I think "museum" is a great word for what many american churches have become.
The thing that stood out to me about this post was the part about "architects and artists being inspired by God..." Perhaps their expression of worship provided a place for others to worship.
I am a member of a church that is over 170 years old and many times we are celebrating what we have done. It is scary when a church loses sight of where Jesus wants us to go and what his plans are for us. We need to get ourselves out of the way and join Jesus in his pursuit of those that are lost!
Thanks Mark, for your words and wisdom.
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