"For some centuries the idea of the Holy Roman Empire enthralled the minds of men. For a still longer period the idea of the Holy Roman See held undisturbed sway over Western Christendom. To those who take a comprehensive view of the progress of Christianity, even these more lasting obscurations to the truth will present no serious difficult. They will not suffer themselves to be blinded thereby to the true nobility of Ecclesiastical History; they will not fail to see that, even in the seasons of her deepest degradation, the Church was still the regenerator of society, the upholder of right principle against selfish interest, the visible witness of the Invisible God; they will thankfully confess that, notwithstanding the pride and selfishness and dishonour of individual rulers, notwithstanding the imperfections and errors of special institutions and developments, yet in her continuous history the Divine promise has been signally realised 'Lo I am with you always even unto the end of the world.'" - J.B. Lightfoot, The Christian Ministry.
God, in his 'foolishness', shamed the wisdom of the wise in his crucified Son and Messiah. And he continues to work through weak and broken agents like us to bring everything under the lordship of Christ. Even at it's worst "the Church was still the regenerator of society, the upholder of right principle against selfish interest, the visible witness of the Invisible God".The church exists not for its own sake, but as the assembly of God, is the pillar and bulwark of truth. And as the assembly of God, Christ is with us always, "even unto the end of the world"
No comments:
Post a Comment