Actions and Reactions in Times of Crisis

I'm reading George Grant's book Third Time Around, a book on the history of the pro-life movement, and he has this great quote which applies to so much more than just the pro-life movement.

Throughout history men have reacted instead of acted in times of crisis. They have sought to ameliorate an ill on the right hand by turning immediately and entirely to the left. They have tried to solve a problem in the citadels of the present by desecrating the foundations of the past. Driven by extremism, they have failed to see the moderating application of adjustments and alternatives.

We fall into that same trap today. Instead of attempting to reform, refurbish, or. renovate, we want to rip asunder the roots of the ages and start over from scratch. The result of such ludicrous impudence is invariably disastrous.

I can think of all kinds of applications for this.  Of course, my personal whipping boy is George Barna and his call for a revolution, and this applies to all types of revolutionary thinking, not just ecclesiastical.

I'm not going to throw these words in the face of my emergent friends because some, though not all, are taking history seriously and are trying to re-establish older patterns of ecclesiastical practice.  On the other hand, there is a significant element in the emergent movement that is enamored with theological novelty and rather than helping refine and reform, they are seeking to overthrow key Christian doctrines.  So, I would urge those folks to heed Grant's words.

And I would urge anyone of any ecclesiastical, denominational, or theological stripe to keep these words in mind whhen the next new big thing comes along.

Related Tags: Pro-life, History, Revolution, Revolutionary, George Barna Revolution, Reformation, Reform, Emergent, Emergent church, Church, Christian, Christianity, Religion, Extremism

Comments

[Mason]

"we want to rip asunder the roots of the ages and start over from scratch. The result of such ludicrous impudence is invariably disastrous."

David:

Isn't this a description of post-modernity. Modernism progresses to a point then along comes "deconstruction," to rip out the old and begin again?

And yes, it is disastrous. Post-modernism gives us leaders unable to lead because they have no foundational thinking from which to progress.