Chronological Snobbery

If there is one thing that annoys me about current Christian literature it is what I call “Chronological Snobbery.” By this I mean, the posture that everyone has had it wrong throughout church history up until this point and now the stated author is there to enlighten us all on the true path to God. They make sweeping judgements about church history as they now stand at the pinnacle of all enlightenment and have full understanding of how to do church. As if they would have done things differently if they had been living in the 1700’s or 700’s. After all we have air travel and IPad’s now. Thank-you for finally showing up on the planet mister author and finally “cracking the code,” now we can get on with church as it is supposed to be. Too bad the billions of others that have gone before us haven’t been able to learn from your insight…heh, are they even Christians?

We see this especially in those that long to return to the New Testament church. The argument will go something like this. In Acts 2 God established the church and there were amazing things that happened at that point. They devoted themselves to the Apostles teaching, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone had things in common selling what they had and no one was in need. In other words, they believe that it was the “Kum-ba-yah” moment on Thursday night at the end of camp where everyone is crying and fully devoted to God. And then from that moment on, man got a hold of this thing called the church and wrecked it. They raped and pillaged and destroyed this wonderful thing called the church eventually creating of all things structure, leadership and God forbid - programs! And, it is now mister author’s intent to return the church to the blissful incubator state outlined in Acts 2. They want to return the church to its roots and use the new evangelical buzz word “organic” in their attempt to justify this leap. Is that even possible? Meet every day? Sell all that you have…ah…you first. Which New Testament church should we try for, Corinth? Oh wait…

Perhaps church history has more to teach us than how not to do church. Perhaps there are Godly saints gone before us who read the scriptures just like us and truly sought to live out their faith in their context. And perhaps more pointedly, you wouldn’t have done any different if you grew up in their lifetime. Sure there might be the odd example of those going astray from the true teachings of scripture. But, does that mean we paint it all with broad strokes? We as a church stand on the shoulders of those gone before us. It is our duty to read and study about their life, teaching and thinking. Those in the high church tradition get this while we in the “free church” tend to pick and choose our heroes from the past.

In fact, most of this chronological snobbery comes from ignorance. Someone once told me that “for every two Christian books you read from an author that is living, read one from someone who is now dead.” It may be a more difficult read and may not be red hot relevant for your current longings. But, an understanding of your heritage will connect you with the larger story of Christianity. And, you may even learn something that shapes your understanding of the Christian life and application of church today. Good advice, let’s learn from our forefathers, they may have something for us.