There have been a whole swathe of books written over the last few years addressing the issue of the changing contemporary scene, the shift from the modern to the post modern. Some would prefer to call it the ‘ultra modern’ era. I cannot get away from the feeling that although there is much truth in what is being written, yet there is an over statement present also. Along with that the sense that some of the writers are writing from fear, as though the Spirit of the Lord is lagging behind in His ability to make the church able to speak from God to their age. Perhaps I am wrong in these things, but this particular book is more for preachers and teachers of the Lord’s word than to any others and has many helpful points to make but there are glaring absences in the writing. I hardly recall any mention of the faculty of conscience in the hearts of the hearers nor of the Holy Spirit in His anointing capacity within the lives of the teacher/preacher. Rather, the whole accent is promoting various changes of approach in order to make the message of the gospel relevant to the changed world in which we live. Thankfully the book is at pains to express the thought that the message, the centralities of the gospel must not be compromised in this adaptation of method and also encourages the need for wisdom and discernment as to how to walk this fine line. At times I wonder if in order to state an emphasis it is necessary to over state and even in a small way to caricature the ‘old ways’ in which the church conducted business. A reading of this book is needful for those involved in the Christian ministry and it will help point us in directions helpful as to how to adapt. It also sums up post modernism pretty well and many authors are quoted supportively throughout. I mention the absence of any emphasis on the ability of the Spirit to equip, teach and enable the servants of the Lord and there is little recognition that Paul and his fellow ministers spoke and gospel and saw God work to establish His churches in the context of an age not dissimilar to that of our day. I know that technology is everywhere present and this was not so in those days, yet the pluralistic society was present. So, read, learn and also bring a discerning mind to the whole matter all the while looking to the Spirit of God to take points and applying them as needed that we might be more effective ministers in our day.
