"Relevance" in Protestant Churches?

[bc96christian]

Hey everybody, just got a quick question.

I am a teen and go to a nondenominational, non-liturgical Protestant church. Recently my parents have grown to be very unhappy with the church and have started going to another similar, but smaller church. It is what I would call a “normal” non-denominational church, meaning that people are NOT dancing/falling over/speaking in tongues or anything like that…

In the church’s weekly bulletin, I read where the pastor of the church preaches “relevant” sermons. But I began thinking…isn’t the Bible always relevant? God never changes, and the Bible never changes, so why would there be a need for relevance in sermons? Is this implying that Christianity (or the Bible) is somehow “outdated” and therefore needs to adapt to modern society and culture?

Why would church need to be culturally relevant considering the Bible/Gospel and God are always relevant/never changing? Some people think Catholic/Lutheran/Anglican churches are outdated, for example because of their organs, robes, and liturgy, I wouldn’t say that is “outdated” by any means, its just that its been the way it’s always been done and there is no need to “adapt to modern culture” since Scriptures are always relevant. (correct me if I am wrong, I am not Catholic).

I thought it would be good to get some Catholic’s opinions (or anybody, really) about this and see what you all think of this. Thanks for your time as I appreciate all of your responses .

 

[Nita]

Hey everybody, just got a quick question.

In the church’s weekly bulletin, I read where the pastor of the church preaches “relevant” sermons. But I began thinking…isn’t the Bible always relevant? God never changes, and the Bible never changes, so why would there be a need for relevance in sermons? Is this implying that Christianity (or the Bible) is somehow “outdated” and therefore needs to adapt to modern society and culture?

I’m not sure just what is meant by “relevant” in regards to the pastor, but we all need to take God’s teachings in Scripture and apply them (make them relevant) to current situations we find ourselves in. We have to seek a way to respond to those situations in a way that is in conformity with God’s teaching. Hopefully this pastor will give “relevant” teachings that do not go contrary to Our Lord’s commands in Scripture.

There are certainly many situations in our current culture where we need to be taught and encouraged to respond in a way that conforms and reflects the teachings of Our Lord in Scripture. Unfortunately today, it is often “Christian??” teachings that cave in to current popular opinions, even though they are contrary to Scripture, that are called “relevant”. I sincerely hope this will not be the case with your pastor.

 

[the_phoenix]

In the church’s weekly bulletin, I read where the pastor of the church preaches “relevant” sermons. But I began thinking…isn’t the Bible always relevant? God never changes, and the Bible never changes, so why would there be a need for relevance in sermons? Is this implying that Christianity (or the Bible) is somehow “outdated” and therefore needs to adapt to modern society and culture?

Why would church need to be culturally relevant considering the Bible/Gospel and God are always relevant/never changing? Some people think Catholic/Lutheran/Anglican churches are outdated, for example because of their organs, robes, and liturgy, I wouldn’t say that is “outdated” by any means, its just that its been the way it’s always been done and there is no need to “adapt to modern culture” since Scriptures are always relevant. (correct me if I am wrong, I am not Catholic).

I thought it would be good to get some Catholic’s opinions (or anybody, really) about this and see what you all think of this. Thanks for your time as I appreciate all of your responses .

My mother would love you. She taught religion class for over 25 years. You would have been her star student.

The Truth is what is important, and Truth is eternal.

IMHO, you earn an A+.

Romans 12:2
Douay-Rheims
And be not conformed to this world: but be reformed in the newness of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and the acceptable and the perfect will of God.



~~ the phoenix

 

[White_Peony]

You’re absolutely correct.

 

[mdcpensive1]

The Gospel is always relevant. Truth is not dependent on time but is always true. Therefore when we read the bible we can extract certain things that Jesus is showing us that He did and that we can do likewise.
However, a pastor that preaches “relevance” should not change the message of the bible or Christ’s Church to make it more like the humanistic society that will eventually fade away as Christ comes again in the future.
St. Augustine wrote about two cities, one being of the world and one being of God. The two grow larger and are at odds with each other. There is always the tendency to make the city of God or a church more like the worldly city so that it can be seen as being more relevant to human knowledge and desires, but is actually against God’s will and what He wants.

 

[Goya]

Hey everybody, just got a quick question.

I am a teen and go to a nondenominational, non-liturgical Protestant church. Recently my parents have grown to be very unhappy with the church and have started going to another similar, but smaller church. It is what I would call a “normal” non-denominational church, meaning that people are NOT dancing/falling over/speaking in tongues or anything like that…

In the church’s weekly bulletin, I read where the pastor of the church preaches “relevant” sermons. But I began thinking…isn’t the Bible always relevant? God never changes, and the Bible never changes, so why would there be a need for relevance in sermons? Is this implying that Christianity (or the Bible) is somehow “outdated” and therefore needs to adapt to modern society and culture?

Why would church need to be culturally relevant considering the Bible/Gospel and God are always relevant/never changing? Some people think Catholic/Lutheran/Anglican churches are outdated, for example because of their organs, robes, and liturgy, I wouldn’t say that is “outdated” by any means, its just that its been the way it’s always been done and there is no need to “adapt to modern culture” since Scriptures are always relevant. (correct me if I am wrong, I am not Catholic).

I thought it would be good to get some Catholic’s opinions (or anybody, really) about this and see what you all think of this. Thanks for your time as I appreciate all of your responses .

My wife is protestant. She attends mass with me–and often critiques that the homily’s aren’t relevant (e.g.–when the priest preached against abortion, near Christmas time, as one example).

I have attended protestant (evangelical) service with her several times as well. Many times, the pastor was beating the drum about the evils of terrorism, and Muslims seeping in, and taking over…

IMO, abortion goes to an eternal Truth about us, and our views vis a vis the sanctity of life.

Talking about Muslims…seemed to me to be a rather transparent attempt to play on the congregations’ fears, and patriotism…and to rustle them up into a frenzy (and coincidentally, rile up in them the perceived need to dig deeper, give a little more)…

Of course this is anecdotal–but the bottom line–you seem to have your bearings straight.

Keep attuned to Eternal Truth. Let the secularists worry about ‘relevance’.

(or as Christ Himself put it: “…let the dead bury the dead”).

 

[Goya]

^^^btw, my quote was short hand paraphrase of Luke Ch. 9 v. 60. :

“…*[56] The Son of man came not to destroy souls, but to save. And they went into another town. [57] And it came to pass, as they walked in the way, that a certain man said to him: I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. [58] Jesus said to him: The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. [59] But he said to another: Follow me. And he said: Lord, suffer me first to go, and to bury my father. ***[60] And Jesus said to him: Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou, and preach the kingdom of God.**”

(just in case you were wondering).

 

[Holly3278]

The Bible is indeed always relevant. There is always something in the Bible that is relevant to our current situation. Indeed, the Bible is a Book for all times. It is the holy Word of God. It is inspired by God, infallible, and inerrant. It has always been relevant and always will be relevant.