Sunday, March 22, 2009

Theopneustia by L. Gaussen

Recently I was writing a paper and while looking for sources I stumbled upon a little book that had nothing to do with my paper but I read a little of it and began to appreciate the words of the author. The book is called, "Theopneustia: The Plenary Inspiration of the Holy Scriptures" by L. Gaussen. The following is an excerpt that I thought was particularly applicable for the church today.

"It has ever happened that when flocks have been pious, theology has thriven. She has accomplished herself with learning; she has put due honour on studies that require vigorous effort; and, the better to capacitate herself for searching the Scriptures, not only has she desired to master all the sciences that can through light upon them, but she has infused life into all other sciences, whether by example of her own labours, or by gathering around her men of lofty minds, or by infusing into academical institutions a generous sentiment of morality, which has promoted all their developments.

Thus it is that, in giving higher character to all branches of study, she has often ennobled that of a whole people.

But, on the contrary, when theology and the people have become indifferent to each other, and drowsy flocks have lived only for this world, then theology herself has given evident proofs of sloth, frivolity, ignorance, or perhaps love of novelties; seeking a profane popularity at any cost; affecting to have made discoveries that are only whispered to the ear, that are taught in academies, and never mentioned in the churches; keeping her gates shut amid the people, and at the same time throwing out to them from the windows doubts and impieties, with the view of ascertaining the present measure of their indifference; until at last she breaks out into open scandal, in attacking doctrines, or in denying the integrity or the inspiration of certain books, or in giving audacious denials to the facts which they relate.

And let a man beware of believing that the whole people do not erelong feel the consequences of so enormous a mischief. They will suffer from it even in their temporal interests, and their national existence will be compromised. In degrading their religion, you proportionally lower their moral character; you leave them without a soul. All things take their measure, in a nation, according to the elevation that is given to heaven among the people. If their heaven be low, every thing is affected by it even on earth. All there becomes erelong more confined and more creeping; the future becomes narrowed; patriotism becomes materialized; generous traditions drop out of notice; the moral sense loses its tone; material wellbeing engrosses all regard; and all conservative principles, one after another, disappear."

In this quote we are told that there is a correlation between the health of a nation's church and the health of a nation. With or without separation of church and state, the church plays a vital role in the life of a nations people. The other day I was driving and saw a sign outside a church that mentioned the "U2charist" (U2 Lord's Supper) that was going to happen the following Sunday. What needs are being met with such a service? What is being taught in such a service? Search "Clown Communion" on YouTube and then think about the first words of the quote regarding the pious church. Is this the condition of the modern church which has a direct effect on the morality of a nation. Solid teaching, solid theology, and pious examples that truly supply men and women with nourishment for their souls is what the church and our nation desperately need.

3 comments:

  1. It was a paper called "Various Historical Evidences of the Early Development of the New Testament Canon" I am quite fond of the long title so don't make fun of it. The title sums up everything that the paper is. Anyway, thanks for reading.

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  2. Dude, I'd like to read it. e-mail it to me at natrimony@trinityasheville.com. oh and congrats on the job, what is it exactly that you do?

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