Taiwan Church News
2957 Edition
October 27~November 2, 2008
Editorial: Reflections on "Adjustment and Renewal" based on the Protestant Reformation
We celebrate the Protestant Reformation on October 31st of every year to commemorate the works of Martin Luther. On October 31, 1517, Luther nailed his "95 Theses" on the front door of Castle Church in Wittenberg, thus urging church leaders to address the corruption and abuse occurring within churches. Luther's theses accentuated religious freedom and the value of religious conviction. When he posted his theses, Luther did not have "religious reformation" in mind, he merely wanted to use his religious freedom to advise church leaders on issues that needed change so that the church could improve, renew, and remain relevant to society at the time.
Jesus also faced a lot of opposition and challenge from Pharisees and Jews during His ministry. He was criticized for healing on the Sabbath, picking grain on the Sabbath, and breaking other Old Testament laws. In response to His critics, he stated: "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath." (Mark 2:27). What Jesus was inferring here is that the purpose of systems and laws is not to "restrict" people, but rather, to "guide" and "help" them.
On another occasion, Jesus was criticized on the issue of fasting. One day, John the Baptist's disciples asked Him why He and His disciples did not fast like they did or like the Pharisees. Jesus replied, "How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast" (Matthew 9:14~15). By this, He implied that He was the bridegroom (the Messiah) and His disciples were the guests. Therefore, the disciples should be joyful while Jesus was with them. They did not need to fast. However, the time would come when Jesus would be taken away and it would be appropriate for the disciples to fast then. Jesus proceeded to clarify His teaching by using the new wine and new wineskin analogy. Through this analogy, He also illustrated the transition between the old covenant and the new covenant.
Through all of this, Jesus was not denying in any way the legality of keeping the Sabbath or fasting. Instead, He was clarifying the appropriateness of these two religious practices at that particular moment in which they were questioned and offering a new perspective. Renewal is necessary because of social progress. If we want faith to remain relevant, we must renew it so that it still speaks to contemporary society. What Jesus was proposing to His critics was not "reform", but "renewal and adjustment" to stay in tune with the social needs of the time. This proposal is in line with His proclamation that He had not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but rather, to fulfill them (Matthew 5:17).
Similarly, perhaps some of the ways in which we do ministry is uncomfortable for traditional and conservative believers. However, what we are proposing is not some superficial and funky trend, but some ways to remain relevant and fresh in face of this ever-changing society. What we endeavor to do is to bridge the gap between the old and the new as the Presbyterian Church remains committed to the Great Commission.