Recent days have found me re-reading the classic book ‘The Kingdom of God in America’ by H. Richard Niebuhr. The substance of the book was provided in lecture form by Niebuhr more than 80 years ago. At the same time it is fresh and relevant early in the 21st century. Throughout the book he addresses the intermingling of faith and culture – and the implications it has for the church. Included is this quote: ‘As a religious movement the Reformation was characterized above all by its fresh insistence on the present sovereignty and initiative of God.’ From there on he assumes that theological principle as he examines the culture in which he lived and continues to inform us to this day. He speaks of God’s direct rule in a world where we sometimes think of terms of human sovereignty over medicine, politics, economics, etc. Check it out! There is something to be learned by revisiting the old classics!
Dr. David Oyler