Dear Cornerstone Family,
At the beginning of G.K. Chesterton’s biography of William Blake, he says that the start of a man’s life is not his birthday but the words, ‘In the beginning, God...” Chesterton’s point is well taken. The divine things are the permanent things, as T.S. Elliot would say. That the life of men and nations can’t be understood by looking to men and nations but can only be understood––truly understood––with reference to God. God—and his active presence in the world—is the key. It is the most important fact of every person’s life whether we acknowledge it or not.
That last note––whether we acknowledge it or not––has struck a chord with me this week. As you’re probably aware, the spiritual landscape in Scotland and England is very dark. Depending on whose statistics you believe, only 5-6% of the entire population would identify as evangelical Christian. That is a very sad statistic, especially given the spiritual heritage of the Scots and English. It could be argued that no two countries have God used more in the last 500 years for the spread of the gospel, but, sadly, those days are long gone.
In spending time with Dr. Iver Martin, President of Edinburgh Theological Seminary, this week, he remarked that Scotland has become so post-Christian that it’s almost pre-Christian. That is, that the rising generation in Scotland is so thoroughly unaware of Christianity that it can’t be said Christianity is even a reference point culturally. Though it’s hard to speak generally about such things, and these things are very difficult to measure, it has the ring of truth to me. Beautiful churches throughout the cities are more often used for museums or pubs than worship. Just this last year, the Church of Scotland began a mission to cut the number of their churches in half over the next five years. They simply do not have the funds to maintain churches with minuscule numbers.
To be honest, the Church of Scotland closing churches doesn’t, in many cases, affect the gospel witness in Scotland. Sadly, the Church of Scotland on the whole has become so theologically liberal that in most cases the foundational truths of the Scripture have been jettisoned for a progressive faith committed to maintaining the culture’s values.
Thankfully, the only churches growing in Scotland and England are the ones committed to the Bible’s teaching and historic Christianity. It was so encouraging to hear from Derek Lamont, Senior Pastor at St. Columba’s in Edinburgh, about their church planting efforts. They have planted three churches in the last 20 years of ministry and are working toward a fourth congregation. Though the growth is slow, it’s steady and deeply encouraging. People are coming to know the Lord. People are returning to church after decades of estrangement. In the midst of the darkness, the light still shines.
If Chesterton is right, if “In the beginning, God” is the most important reality, then we must be committed to share about our God, the Creator and Redeemer of the world, to those around us. As our own country becomes increasingly secular and antagonistic to the gospel, we must remain lovingly vigilant in loving the eternal souls around us every day by opening up our lips and making much of Jesus Christ.
Your Servant,
