Dimming the Gospel Light: 1. Can we still be Protestant 500 years on from Luther?

Today I watched a good friend — of more than twenty years standing — consecrated as a bishop in the church of God. It was a magnificent occasion in which we were able to celebrate God's continued goodness to his people by his provision of godly, faithful and courageous Christian leadership. The sermon was one of the most inspiring challenges I have heard to put first things first and not to flinch when the pressure is on to do what others would be pleased to see us do. Taking his cue from Acts 6, the preacher (Simon Manchester) reminded us of the apostolic commitment to prayer and the ministry of the word.

And then there were the promises my friend made:

Will you instruct the people committed to your care from the Scriptures, and teach nothing (as required of necessity for eternal salvation) except what you are convinced may be proved by the Scriptures?

Are you ready to drive away all false and strange doctrine which is contrary to God's word; and privately and publicly to call upon and encourage others to do likewise?

Add to these the hymns that were sung. I was struck by the oft-omitted fourth verse of Isaac Watts' 1707 hymn 'When I survey the wondrous cross' (perhaps precisely because it is often omitted — first by George Whitfield in 1757, I believe):

His dying crimson like a robe,

Spreads o'er his body on the tree;

Then I am dead to all the globe,

And all the globe is dead to me.

The final element making this such a grand occasion was the presence in the congregation of many of the old saints who had served Christians in this city (and much further afield) so very well over such a long period of time — men and women who had borne the hostility of the world, disappointment in the churches, opposition from those who should have known better, and through it all had stayed on course, speaking the truth fearlessly and serving God's people humbly, sacrificially, and lovingly.

All of this made me ponder anew on a more general dimming of the gospel light in many churches and church organisations around the world. In some places there seems to have been a discernible neutering of genuine evangelical ministry at a time when it is needed more than ever. So I've decided over the next few months or more to prepare a series of posts on questions for which we need a clear, unambiguous, courageous and truthful answer. If we are not to be diverted from the course set for us in the Scriptures by the promises and insights of every new 'success story' that flies in from other parts, these are questions we should ask. And these are answers we must weigh against the teaching of Scripture itself. Keep reading