Journal: Grace Journal
Volume: GJ 12:3 (Fall 1971)
Article: The Church Reaching Tomorrow’s World
Author: Luther L. Grubb

GJ 12:3 (Fall 71) p. 13

The Church Reaching Tomorrow’s World

Luther L. Grubb

Pastor, Grace Brethren Church
Orange, California

[This series of four articles was given at Grace Theological Seminary as part of the Louis S. Bauman Memorial Lectures on January 26–29, 1971.]

A father was listening to the late news as the commentator referred to different sections of the world. Desiring a clearer understanding of what the commentator was saying, he slipped quietly into his son’s room where he knew there was a world globe on the desk. Picking up the globe, he started for the door. His son roused and looking at his father, asked, “Dad, what are you doing with my world?” God is asking the church this same question about His world. Indeed, what is the church doing with God’s world? This is a deeply probing question which the church should face realistically. The church must do this in order to evaluate properly the effectiveness of its ministry. The church must analyze and take a careful inventory of its procedures and programs in this day and also of its Bible orientation while relating these considerations to the future.

Definition of Terms

What are we talking about when we speak of the church reaching tomorrow’s world? We must define terms or risk being misunderstood and worse, failing in communication. Semantics seem to change at a dizzy pace. Today, “soul” means a certain type of modern music. Now people smoke “pot.” A “strip” is taken by grabbing a bedpost while sniffing glue. “Grass” is really marijuana. A “cool cat” does not always purr but could bash your head in for a few dollars. “Split” now means to take off for somewhere. Just wait for a while and the meanings will change again. Values also change. For instance, a little boy was looking at a Western on TV. As a gunman moved into a

GJ 12:3 (Fall 71) p. 14

saloon with his gun drawn, said the little fellow to those seated around the TV, “Don’t worry. He’s not going to drink; he’s just going to kill a man.”

What terms are more misunderstood than Bible terms? For instance, take the term “Christian.” Ask almost anyone, “Are you a Christian?” Inevitably the answer will be, “Of course I am a Christian; do you think I’m a heathen?” All the while there is not the slightest idea where the term originated, how it should be used, or what it means.

Church

The word “church” must be defined. Jesus declared in Matthew 16:18, “And I say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” The English word “church” comes from ...