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I have some issues with this so called “The Shaping of Things to Come”, or the “Third Day” movement as it is sometimes called. (The premise of the name they gave themselves - “third day” - is faulty to start with). The biggest problem I am seeing with the book “The Shaping of Things to Come” and the movement is that it denigrates what has preceded while advocating the overthrow of it. It doesn’t acknowledge the worth in history or the value to the present, of the existing Church. It is like the oldest teenager who leaves home and says, “Home is not where it’s at any more! We need to do away with home. My way is now best so the other is worthless.” He then goes back and tries to burn down the home. He is of course shortsighted, not realizing his brothers and sisters still live in that home and still need the safety it provides. He doesn’t even perceive the benefit it will supply to him and its relevance to his own growth in the future. The current form of Christianity is not only relevant but necessary, and though it will mature it will not be dismantled without more loss than gain. My concern is that many will shipwreck their faith in this new movement that seems to embrace lawlessness to a great degree since it seeks to remove structure while saying it has form. While some will survive and grow, many will become disillusioned with a form without structure and simply wander from the faith, perceiving its inability to accomplish its purposes and its lack of strength. (A house without a foundation cannot stand) Even a tent needs some structure in order to be relevant as a tent. Without the structure it simply becomes a canvas poncho that might offer shelter to its wearer, but doesn’t help many and is even not very beneficial to the user without its structure. The family has been assaulted long ago by this society as irrelevant in the development of mankind, but that idea hasn’t proved to be all that healthy for those who have embraced its overthrow. It is better to acknowledge the worth of the family and to improve those things which need to be changed than to abandon the model all together. While I believe it is imperative that the model be transformed – transformed is what is needed. It is adolescent to think that God will abandon all of those who are now in the last model because some are moving into what should have been moved into anyway. “The hand can not say of the foot “I don’t need you”” as it says in 1 Corinthians 12. I believe the need for the church to become ‘missional’ (and the new movement is very proud of that word), but not at the expense of the biblical patterns set out in Acts and the epistles. I hear those advocating the overthrow of the existing system give lip service to wanting to preserve the biblical precepts established by Paul, but I don’t find a lot of evidence that they believe it much in their writings. The biggest problem I find with this “Third Day” movement is that it abandons huge portions of the bible and teachings of Paul. My position is to “hold fast to that which is good” and as Jesus said, “Having done the former, we should add the other,” in reference to tithing. It was good advice about tithing but has relevance on a broader scale also. I think that this movement sees the lacks in the present system and seeks to overthrow it with a non-biblical model which embraces a solution to the existing lacks while abandoning the truth that went before. Unfortunately a house is built on a foundation and if you remove the foundation, the house collapses. It MUST have a foundation to survive. If a house is dilapidated, to remodel it you might strengthen the foundation if needed and then set about to totally rework the look of the house upon the existing foundation. You can even expand the foundation and further transform the house. But you don't remove the foundation and think your making progress - unless of course you want to build an entirely different house and not the house of the Lord. Paul was very clear in 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation , and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. 11 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. 14 If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15 If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. I’m afraid there are many emotionally moved by the lacks within the church who are building carelessly and without much skill. The resulting house will not withstand the test of time and natural forces. One of the most telling statements found in “The Shaping of Things to Come” is the reference that is made about the lack of fruit in the new form of the shoe store church talked about on page 23 “He hasn’t led anyone to Christ yet . . .” While the form was touted by the book as so relevant, the real results were lacking. It seems to be embraced by many more as a way for those who have a distaste for family and structure to congregate in the name of Christ without ever really accomplishing anything. [NOTE; The church needs new fruit not a rework of the existing fruit.] Now let me soften that statement somewhat with this. I do believe that outside of the context of traditional church settings a greater work can go on than the one that is taking place within the confines of the current model. I think it will need to function in conjunction with the current model, however and that the current model will change. I simply don’t see that this new “form without structure” is able to do more than appeal to the lawless nature of man. I believe those who embrace true biblical change will become very fruitful in their everyday life and will lead many to Christ and the church in the days ahead will go through radical change. What’s presented by this movement isn’t it however. While much can be accomplished outside the structure and while the current structure must come to grips with para-church and missional church efforts – the missional church must also appreciate the strength that can be added to them through the structured church talked about in Acts and the Epistles. “the hand CANNOT say of the foot. . . “ The good news is this. Like the rebellious teenager who brings disruption to an otherwise peaceful home, it often causes the home to improve and the parents to mature, and brings needed change. It is stirring things up and causing the wise to reconsider conventional wisdom in the light of biblical understanding. What will evolve from it is a transformation of the church into a much more versatile, relevant, and effective model. It will still look like a spiritual house however. Many saw Jesus as coming to destroy what was, but he did not come to do away with it. He came to move it to the next level. While by its nature destructive, I believe this movement that has been so embraced and advocated by the “Third Day Movement” will fall into the Romans 8 escape clause for some who stay within the verse’s format “ALL things work together for the good for those that love the Lord and are called according to HIS purpose” Unfortunately I see in too many of the advocates a “called according to their own purpose” since a lack of structure always appeals to those who wish to be lawless. Interestingly, Jesus said, "Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. 12 "Because LAWLESSNESS is increased, most people's love will grow cold. 13 " But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. 14 "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:11-14 Daniel said the anti-christ would come and seek to change customs and laws. (That will undoubtedly raise the hackles on many ‘third day” advocates who will be quick to point out how the Pharisees denigrated the son of God with incorrect labels.) Please note I didn’t say that this movement was lead by the anti-christ or would result in the anti-christ. I am simply drawing your attention to the mood of the age and the resulting outcome. My hope is to add a voice of caution to the coming change. Not all change is good – only healthy change. Change for the sake of change is potentially destructive while change that sets the original course on a more accurate course can be very liberating. The biggest problem I find in the current mood is the radical abandonment of those things which are established. I have no problem with the form changing. It can be remodeled in any way which will conform to scripture and produces fruit, but it must conform to the whole of scripture and not to a few pockets of truth. One of the main problems that came out of the rapture theories of the 60s and 70s was that they handled the word of God carelessly, knowing some of what it said and totally disregarding those things that contradicted their theories. The problems that the Pharisees had with Jesus, was that He came to fulfill ALL the scriptures and they wanted Him to fulfill the parts they liked. They liked the idea of the ruling King of Kings that would put their nation in the drivers seat over the Roman government. In the end – so committed were they to their ideas, that they were willing to overlook huge portions of the existing bible of that day in order to revel in what they thought the outcome should be. IT resulted in them totally missing the fact that God was in their midst. I’m afraid this present mood within the church might cause some to do the same. While this book and the Thrid Day movement touts its way as “THE” way, I don’t see it as even “A” way. It is simply a part of the whole, and a part that can do much good if it perceives itself as a “part” and not the “whole”. The problem with adolescents with good ideas is that they see their ideas as the total picture. It reminds me of the six blind men arguing about what an elephant was like when they could only experience the part they were in contact with. I am glad about the coming change, but I am not happy about the immaturity and lack of biblical understanding I see in the “third day” movement as a whole and in the two books I have read last. Barna – in “Revolution” at least didn’t tout his work as “the shape of things to come.” Oh I know that I misquoted the title of the Frost/Hirsch book, but considering the content and arrogant assertions, I think it should have called itself by the title I used. On page 185 it makes the statement that “imagination is more important than knowledge.” While that statement is accurate in the limit of its scope, the book does little to counter the thought it presents - that knowledge lacks importance. I must constantly take one back to the statement of Paul “Prove all things, hold fast to that which is good” and Jesus who said “having done the former they should have added the later.” Though it might be argued that imagination is more important than knowledge - it is not a replacement for knowledge nor does it function well without it. (Read Proverbs) Paul wrote; “And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-13 Since the church has not arrived to the fullness talked about in this verse then the equipping of the saints is still a relevant need. While the fullness of that equipping might mature, the equipping will still needs to take place and no level of imagination in the world will replace it nor can the saints equip themselves through some undefined ‘revelation’. Jesus set in place the gifts that would accomplish His purposes within the church, and they are referred to in terms that embrace the concept of an organized church. I think the book in the limits of its scope makes some good points, but it is nonetheless narrow in its presentation and at the very least misleading in its content. It seems to embrace “change without form” and “church without structure” as well as the accurate “church without walls.” It does little to acknowledge the relevance of what has preceded. Read by someone without a good understanding of the nature of Christ and God it can be destructive. In defense of “The Shaping of Things to Come”, while used by the “Third Day” movement as an excuse for their indulgences, it does not point to the “Third Day” movement as the way of this change. I can none the less see why this new and not so healthy Third Day movement could come to their conclusions by reading this book and embrace its concepts. It was careless in its presentation. While I believe that change is needed, the catalysts to change needs to have a love for the existing flock as well as the flock to come. This requires greater maturity than I find in the book. In their period of adolescence, the disciples were told a parable of the tares planted by the enemy which I believe is very relevant to this coming age. Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, " The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 "But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went away. 26 "But when the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the tares became evident also. 27 "The slaves of the landowner came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?' 28 "And he said to them, 'An enemy has done this!' The slaves said to him, 'Do you want us, then, to go and gather them up?' 29 "But he said, 'No; for while you are gathering up the tares, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 ' Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but gather the wheat into my barn."'" Matthew 13:24-30 The relevance of course, is that when you go to remove the weeds of a mature harvest, you disrupt the good and the bad. Jesus gave sound advice. Let them grow together and when the harvest comes He will remove the good from the bad. I think “The Shaping of Things to Come” needs to give more recognition to the good fruit in the field, while it advocates better farming practices. My advice about “The Shaping of Things to Come”. Read it with caution. It lacks fullness in its understanding and it lacks maturity of thinking. While it made a few good points, the need to remove the bones resulted in disliking the catfish altogether.
Besides the scriptures I’ve already used – here are areas where I believe this “The Shaping of Things to Come” lacks biblical perspective and does not give adequate relevance. These positions were glaring absent in their presentation and in a few cases it outright contradicted them. Topics
Scriptures relating to the topics
Acts 2:41-3:1 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. 42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Acts 4:32-35And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. 34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales 35 and lay them at the apostles' feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.
Acts 5:12-16 At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon's portico. 13 But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem. 14 And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number, 15 to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on any one of them. 16 Also the people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sick or afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.
Acts 6:1-7 Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. 2 So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. 3 "Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. 4 "But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." 5 The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. 6 And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them. 7 The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.
Acts 20:26-32 "Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 "For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. 28 "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 "I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 "Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears.
1 Corinthians 12:4-31 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. 12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot says, "Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, "Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 19 If they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now there are many members, but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; or again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." 22 On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; 23 and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, 24 whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, 25 so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. 29 All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? 30 All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? 31 But earnestly desire the greater gifts.
Ephesians 4:9-16 (Now this expression, "He ascended," what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.) 11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. 14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
Titus 1:5-9 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, 6 namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. 7 For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.
Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.
Hebrews 10:24-25 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
1 Peter 2:4-6 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5 you also, as living stones , are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For this is contained in Scripture:
Ephesians 2:19-22 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
1 Peter 5:1-3 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. |
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