Periodically, I will post a challenge from one of my professors at Grace School of Theology. Today I will do so again, as I found his Friday with Fred to be a great reminder and challenge. In my opinion, Dr. Fred Chay is an excellent Bible teacher and scholar. Here goes:

We must preach not what men want to hear,

but what one day they will have wished

they would have heard.

~Sir Lancelot Andrews~

I have just returned from a study leave at Oxford University. (England, not Mississippi) Oxford is truly the city of churches, chapels, cathedrals, and many spires. Some were created by the Catholic church in 1265 AD. (I went to a Catholic university, where I felt I had a double major in celibacy. As a protestant, I felt like the chief rabbi in Mecca.) But Oxford is now regulated by the Protestant Church of England.

Interestingly, there was little evidence that Easter was close at hand. The city has a reputation for ritualism, religiosity, and scholarship, but not the reality of a profound Biblical Spirituality.

We had the joy of visiting and touring the home of C.S. Lewis, the Kilns. I was reminded of Lewis’ exhortation: “One must keep pointing out that Christianity is a statement which, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The one thing it cannot be is moderately important." 

The Christ of Christianity is neither mildly nor moderately important. He is essential and the quintessential truth. And just because the truth is unpopular does not mean we should not proclaim it.

Because Easter is true, John Walvoord reminds us that "Jesus planted the only durable rumor of hope amid widespread despair and doubt in a hopeless world.”

Serving Him with you

Until He comes for us.

Fred