Category: Reflections

Philip Kevin Goff wrote:

If American culture has moved toward evangelicals’ practice of making the personal public, so religion has moved in the direction of the broader culture. The way worship is conducted in growing numbers of evangelical congregations now replicates what once was confined to the TV screen. Sitting in your living room, you may feel just as close to the pastor as you would at the 5,000-person mega-church down the street. Unless you join one of the mega-church’s cell groups, these institutions can be as impersonal as mass media. Moreover, a visit to your local mega-church–including Starbuck’s coffee, entertaining music and drama, and a short talk that seems less like a sermon than an inspiring self-help lesson–will not seem much different than a trip to the mall.

I have stated many times that the demise of the church occurs when the Word is not preached and the sacraments are not administered. It would seem conspicuous to surmise that we ought to re-prioritize what the church has for two thousands years. But the American church is not interested in the altar nor the pulpit, but rather transforming the altar into a booth for weekly programs and the pulpits into a therapeutic pharmacy (consider Joel Osteen). In his article: TV’s Healing Powers – What ever happened to the televangelists of the 1980s? Philip Goff underlines the tendency of the modern church to become like the world and the world to become like the modern church. What the church so desperately despised in the beginning of the 20th century is what the church has become in the beginning of the 21st. Is it any wonder that whereas mega-churches increase, knowledge of Sacred Writ diminishes? The significance of this event is that the church can now become a safe haven for non-church goers so that non-church goers will still maintain their title as non-church goers while still attending a so-called church. It is not enough to radicalize our ministry nor is it enough to stabilize our ministry. In the first sense, radicalizing ministries generally entail giving up the religion of our forefathers by adapting to contemporary culture. The Scriptures, however, sees this matter is reverse form: the culture adapts to the Bible. In the latter scenario, stabilizing our churches generally entail giving up on changes. They say, “Since culture is changing so rapidly we ought to remain as we have always been.” Though, if a lesser of two evils existed (the philosophy of lesser of two evils can only be taken seriously by Christians when a third option does not exist; since it generally and most often does, that theory is generally un-biblical), the latter would be preferable, but the reality is both are erroneous. At particular times the church needs to change. It ought to reflect not culture, but special revelation. It is my contention that when a church never seeks change it has committed the same error of the “radical” model stated above. Semper Reformanda signifies that daily conformance to God’s Word leads to change individually and corporately.

One year ago I took a Communication class taught by Rev. Frank Kik. He was a tall witty fellow with a dry humor, but a quick mind. Professor Frank Kik was the son of the renown Postmillenial Theologian Marcellus Kik. Frank Kik taught us many things of which I agreed and some which I strongly disagreed. Nevertheless he left a powerful impression on the students after that memorable week. I remember on the last day of class where all students aware of a possible surgery he would face that summer went to the front and laid hands on him and prayed. Frank Kik was controversial, bold, but caring and kind. I will never forget what he told me one time after a small homily I delivered: “Those whom God gifted will be required much.” Dr. Kik encouraged but was well aware of the responsibilities of ministry. He often played with me by speaking a few Spanish words though I had told him several times I was Brazilian. This was just his humorous nature that was evident everyday in class.
I remember a passage all students had to present as an introduction to a sermon was Esther 4:14 which reads: For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to the royal position for such a time as this. Indeed God brought Rev. Kik to this world to accomplish His sovereign plan at an appointed time. May God be honored in this time of rejoicing and grief.

DR. FRANK KIK GOES HOME TO BE WITH THE LORD
Dr. Frank N. Kik, James Baird Professor of Practical Theology at the RTS Charlotte campus, has gone home to be with the Lord. Dr. Kik died on Tuesday, August 1, at 6:30 am. The funeral service will be held at Carmel Presbyterian Church, 2048 Carmel Road in Charlotte on Friday, August 4, at 11:00 am. Visitation hours will be from 6-8 p.m., Thursday at McEwen Funeral Home, 10500 Park Road in Pineville. There will also be a memorial service in Wichita, KS at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, where Dr. Kik pastored for 18 years, on Tuesday at 2:00 pm.

I have returned two days ago from a marvelous conference. We had four days of fascinating lectures ranging from creation/evolution talks to constitutional hermeneutics (Herb Titus). The most intriguing and encouraging element of the conference was to see such a vast array of people coming together with one mind. This one-mindedness was seen in the issue of Covenant education. All attendees believe whole-heartedly that as Ray Moore stated: “Christian children need Christian education.” It is a consequence of our religion. Education is not neutral and neither should parents pretend that it is when they place their children in “Pharaoh’s schools.” If any attended this conference believing that there is an inch of neutrality somewhere in the realm of academia, that view was certainly shattered by the end of the Conference.

Gary Demar dedicated the conference to the late Professor Greg L. Bahnsen who fought vociferously for the authority of Christ over all of life, especially the mind. This was a fitting tribute. Among the many speakers (13 of them) I had the privilege of meeting Gary Demar, who has been instrumental in shaping my thinking on eschatology; Dr. Gary North, who as an economist has made me a more committed capitalist; Ray Moore (Exodus Mandate), who has deepened my cry for a revolutionary exodus of Christian Children from government schools; Brian Godawa, who has urged me to critically analyze Hollywood in light of Biblical story-telling (Fall, Creation, and Redemption); Herb Titus who as a polished communicator drove home the Constitutional formation of this beloved nation; and Jeff Ventrella who through his graciousness continues to train future lawyers to live by and apply the ultimate law of God. American Vision’s firm commitment to a vivacious faith that affects all of life has instilled in me a love for godly rule and godly conviction in a world of lawlessness.

This past Sunday, after our corporate confession, the liturgist directed us to a time of silent confession. I sat and wondered and wondered, but little did I confess. What has happened to me that silence is a hindrance to my confession? Perhaps this similar experience will encourage you as it has encouraged me.