Original Christianity
Contemporary or Traditional
There is a tension in the modern church between
those who hold to the traditions of the past and those who want to be
more contemporary. While one group
values the religious traditions that have developed through the
centuries, the other group would change the church to be more in step
with the modern world. Many
churches have sought a compromise by offering both contemporary and
traditional services. But there is
another alternative – a better alternative. Return the church and Christianity to
its original faith and practice discarding all human innovations whether
ancient or modern. Man’s
ideas in religion whether old or new, traditional or contemporary are not
acceptable to God. We should not look
to the past or the present, but rather to God’s Word.
In an effort to be contemporary we must not
plunge ahead of the teachings of Christ. (2 John 9) On the other hand the traditions of men
should be given no place in Christianity. (Matthew 15:1-9) In the clash between traditional values
and contemporary thinking the church must not yield to either but rather stand
as “the pillar and ground of the truth.” (1 Timothy
3:15) We must not allow ourselves
to be “tossed to and fro and carried about by every wind of
doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14) whether it arises from the traditions of our forefathers or the
forward thinking of our contemporaries.
North Main Street Church of Christ
605 North Main Street
Mocksville, North Carolina 27028
751-2866 nmcofc.org
Claude Pharr, Minister
