THE CHURCH TODAY STANDS AT A CROSSROADS. HOW WILL WE FULFILL CHRIST'S CALLING TO BE A "CITY SET ON A HILL"?
Many sincere and dedicated Christians point to the path of relevance as a means for enjoying a post-Christian witness. They want to explore new ways of "doing church"-- ways that focus on seekers' needs, that appeal to today's entertainment-saturated audiences, and don't make church "too hard."
Philip Ryken, however, sees danger ahead. Rather than confronting the relativistic and narcissistic mind-set of our world, this way may very well accommodate it.
In "City on "a "Hill, "Ryken asserts that the church needs to walk a different path... a biblical path that leads to exalting God and Him alone by:
- Proclaiming the saving work of our crucified and risen Lord, Jesus Christ.
- Focusing on our holy God in our personal and corporate worship.
- Reaching our in Christ's love to care for one another and share the Good News with the world.
When the church does what it was called to do, it will give the world what it needs most--the life-giving message that Jesus Christ is Savior and Lord.
PHILIP GRAHAM RYKEN (M.Div., Westminster Theological Seminary; D.Phil., University of Oxford, England) is senior minister of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, where he has preached since 1995. His published works include "The Heart of the Cross "and "The Doctrines of Grace "(with James Montgomery Boice), "Is Jesus the Only Way?, The Message of Salvation, "and "Jeremiah and Lamentations. "Dr. Ryken lives with his wife, Lisa, and children, Joshua, Kirsten, Jack and Kathryn in Center City, Philadelphia.