One of the first things that gripped me about Reformation theology was its straightforward understanding of Christian discipleship. Cutting away distractions, early Protestant churches were marvelously focused and humble in their approach to Christian evangelism and ministry because that’s what they discovered in the pages of Scripture, laid out in the Gospels and ultimately issued by Jesus himself in the Great Commission. What is the secret key for growth in the Christian life? It is the gospel of the died and risen Savior that gives life, delivered by means of the preached Word, and then signed, sealed, and confirmed by the “visible word” in the Sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Teaching and discipline come to bear immediately in a well-ordered church that is growing and maturing. These things have little or nothing to do with nostalgia for an earlier, simpler time. They are God’s way of helping us get out of our own way, to let the Father do the work of redemption and discipleship through the Son in the power of the Spirit. In this issue, we want to help realign the church’s mission from helpful but ultimately inessential programs to these specific means that Christ ordained for the expansion of his kingdom. Toward that end, Editor-in-Chief Michael Horton sets out our need for catechesis in discipleship, which is a theme you will frequently encounter in this issue because of its relevance to the phrase of the commission, “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
We believe that both the message and the methods of discipleship are of central concern. Technology is an important theme, though not for its own sake. Lutheran pastor John Bombaro argues that discipleship necessarily involves a communal setting, including personal representation as being of the essence of Christian disciple-making. Developing a reference to Marshall McLuhan’s Understanding Media: Extensions of Man, regular contributor Rick Ritchie helps us think about our choices of media. He suggests that sometimes our methods seem more effective than they actually are because of our fallenness. Although we feel altogether strengthened when a tool extends one of our natural abilities, we don’t always notice the corresponding atrophy of another ability.
Globalization has meant that most things in our culture are pragmatic, technocratic, and depersonalized. Andrea Ferrari and Alex Chediak challenge us with articles about both churches and children who are coming of age in a Facebook age. One of the best ways for us all to “grow up,” in the sense of being built up into a mature faith, is to rigorously catechize every believer, literally from cradle to grave. As it is refreshing to learn lessons about discipleship from another culture, Korean pastor Nam-Joon Kim relates the extensive discipleship and teaching ministry at Yullin Presbyterian Church.
An interview with J. I. Packer and Gary Parrett further reiterates the importance of recovering the grammar of the Christian faith. As learning the language of Zion begins with God’s grace poured out in baptism, Presbyterian minister and seminary professor J. V. Fesko persuades us that its abiding value does not simply rest in the moment of its administration, but has the strongest links to a lifetime of discipleship. We should always remember our baptism, especially as we struggle in personal holiness in this life. An anonymous author writes about setbacks in this life because of our sinful condition, which is sometimes manifested in addiction. Joyously, the author explains, the gospel addresses first the condemning power of sin and then gives us strength to fight against its controlling power.
Left to ourselves, we tend to trip over our own feet by creating needless complications. But what is impossible with man is possible with God. In the book of Acts, the Great Commission unfolded as the church was born by Word and Spirit and then “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42). Word and Sacrament ministry, in other words, is the full mission of the church. This is how God directs our hearts and minds to Christ. It is his rescue mission for the nations.
Ryan Glomsrud
Executive Editor
