We visited a church that was meeting in the King College cafeteria. The pastor was a young man who turned out to be the youngest son of Joseph Bayly. Mr. Bayly was an author of several books and articles. Two of his popular books were The Gospel Blimp (later made into a movie) and View From The Hearse. Rev. N. had been the full time youth leader at a local community church, but, following a concern about the elders, felt led to start an interdenominational church.
Again the reception to me and my family was warm and welcome. Rev. N. had a friendly smile and a warm, positive disposition. He battled cystic fibrosis, but in later years succumbed to esophageal cancer. He and I spent many hours discussing spiritual matters over coffee. Before long I was leading singing and teaching a Sunday school class. We were encouraged to join the church because Rev. N. really felt that I would be a good candidate to fill an opening on the elder staff. Some time after becoming an elder I accepted the position as treasurer.
The church eventually bought a home and renovated it into a sanctuary, office and Sunday school rooms.
On the downside, Rev. N's sermons tended to be confusing (Lois and others felt so too), and his remarks at elder meetings were lengthy and somewhat disjointed. I remember asking him one time why he used so many words to make his point. He replied, "So that later I won't have to eat them." I liked that, and it was a great reminder to me to not let my passion trump my wisdom.
One of Rev. N's brothers had visited from another state, and following my Sunday school class, Rev. N came into the room to look through some papers on the shelf. His brother went over to him and I overheard him saying something to the effect of that he liked my teaching, and was I Reformed?. Rev. N replied "no," but that I was "getting there." This came as a surprise to me because I had never heard Rev. N preach or teach about the Reformed doctrine.
John Calvin and his mentor, Martin Luther (both lived 1400s to 1500s) were opposed to the workings of the Catholic church and began to develop their own doctrines. Probably the greatest subject on which they differed was the method or plan of salvation. Luther believed that faith alone, combined with good works assured professed Christians a spot in heaven. Calvin developed a theme centered on the total depravity of man, with God predetermining a select number of "elect" who would go to heaven. So, by default the rest would spend eternity in hell.
When I confronted Rev. N about this doctrine, he said that he purposely avoided teaching it in order to uphold the structure of the interdenominational church. He felt that the preaching of the gospel was essential and was universal to all Christians and that God's will would be fulfilled, no matter what we believed.
Sometime later another elder was added, who was more outspoken about the Reformed doctrine. On some occasions he and I would have spirited discussions (if not heated debates) about God's role in our lives. At one point I asked him how he could believe that, if all people were born into sin and thus incapable of saving themselves, how then could a merciful God predetermine that they would burn in hell forever simply because they were not the elect. He replied that it was a mystery of God, beyond our level of understanding. I thought the response was hogwash then, and still think so to this day.
I began to grow more uncomfortable with that church. Lois was eager to leave, but I was determined to stick it out. Wives can often be good indicators of what the Lord's will is, but husbands can easily keep the blinders on.
However, upcoming private issues would lead to me leaving my job and my church.
No comments:
Post a Comment