We have to continue to look into the Word of God for correct definition of Church that is free from erroneous traditional accumulation that continues to impose itself into what is supposed to be the identity and functionality of church. The issue is that correct definition leaves us with a possibility for a stirring into correct functionality. And correct functionality of church brings the capacity to transform the landscape of nations and therefore of human existence. In the words of prophet Isaiah, church is not simply a religious institution preoccupied with ceremonial worship but it is at the centre of definition, development and advancement of human existence (Isa 2:1-4). Church is a chief mountain among the hills, a superior civilisation among the civilisations. Not only so, but Prophet Daniel defines church as ‘a mountain that fills the earth’ (i.e. a global system of human life), a rock that confronts the human statue (political civilisations), Dan 2:44-45. For church to confront political civilisations means that it must itself be built as a political civilisation. “Political civilisation” here does not mean Party Politics or a Geo-Political state but means a system that develops and defines human existence. In both these accounts, we therefore do not see Church as an inferior religious system that is part of a bigger “advanced” secular society but as the very system of life that defines both spirit and secular – i.e. the essence of human life. The idea of spirit and secular are concepts that come from the mind of Satan. In Gen 1, we see God creating a human being, commissioning the human being to work and to govern life – what therefore is supposedly “secular” was in fact firstly created by God and must therefore be correctly represented in the church. There is no spirit or secular, there is just life and there is just the Kingdom of God. Sight of this reality changes the way we meet as Church on Sunday.
What brings more weight to the scriptures quoted above i that the prophets are really seeing through the mind of God what would take place in the last days. So therefore, that which God has purposed will surely come to pass (Isa 14:26-27). Prophecies like Isa 2:1-4 and Dan 2:44-45 await a Church generation that will see them and build toward them. We do not proclaim prophecy and go on to engage in lifestyles, actions, activities and church programmes that are contrary to what we believe – to believe is a lifestyle; to believe is a system of life. In the faith, we do have a system of belief. Such a belief system does not only theologically tell us about God nor does it seek to only keep us engaging in ceremonial activities on Sundays but it also provides us with lenses through which we view and analyse life. So therefore the faith has wisdom – a knowledge system. The Bible is not just scripture that gets delivered as traditional sermons on Sundays but rather scriptures lead us to God’s concepts, principles and knowledge concerning human life. Not only so, they also provide a perspective about the future of humanity.
Developing a System of Education
The Word says ‘Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians’, Acts 7:22.
- The word “educate” here means: ‘to train, to educate, to teach, to discipline’. In its definition, the word implies a system by which a child is brought to functional maturity.
- The word “wisdom” means: ‘knowledge, insight, skill in the affairs of life, a system of management of life’.
Now, if you consider Egypt to be one significant ancient civilisation (as reflected in the historical records of the Bible and elsewhere) then you will realise how it built its citizens or at least its princes (i.e. upcoming leadership). Upcoming leaders (princes) were trained in the way of life (the wisdom) of Egypt. There was a way an Egyptian lived and viewed life.
The Lord speaks to us in 2 Tim 3:16 and says the following: ‘all scripture is God-breathed (divinely inspired) and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness’.
This indicates that scripture is not given simply for ceremonial activity on Sunday but for human development. I want to highlight two words in this verse. The first one is ‘teaching’ (translated as ‘doctrine’ in other Bible versions. The word means, ‘an instruction’ or a knowledge system. So on one level, scripture is given for the development of a knowledge system by which redeemed humans (believers) can regulate life and reality as they face it daily, i.e. personal life, family, communities, business, politics, culture etc. The word ‘doctrine (didaskalia in Greek) is related to the word ‘teach’ (didasko) which means among other things, ‘to influence or shape the will and mind of the learner’. So when one teaches, they are not simply doing a “holy religious work” but they are actually defining and shaping people’s perspective about God and about human life. We therefore do not teach merely out of scripture memory or the teaching gift itself but we teach out of a developed perspective – teachers must have a developed perspective about God and about human life.
The second word is ‘training’ translated in other versions as ‘instruction’ (training or instruction in righteousness). The word ‘training’ here is the same word used in Acts 7:22, translated as ‘education’ (Moses was educated). So therefore when God talks about ‘training (education) in righteousness’, He is not talking about sporadic-random sermonisation of the saints but a systematic and progressive schooling in the way of life of the Kingdom of God (righteousness).
His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, Eph 3:10.
The word ‘wisdom’ used here is the same word that’s used in Acts 7:22 (Moses was educated or instructed in the wisdom of the Egyptians). As stated before, the word ‘wisdom’ means ‘insight, knowledge, and skill in the affairs of life’. The word therefore defines a system of management of life. As far as God is concerned, believers are not supposed to go out in life and simply live in fear of sin or try to live “a holy life” that they cannot define beyond the framework of the Ten Commandments. Believers, as redeemed humans, are supposed to live life by a system of knowledge of the Kingdom of God.
What does this mean?
- Teaching is one of the most important instruments that the church has to empower its people.
- Such a teaching is not random but systematic and progressive.
- This teaching defines God and human life.
- The teachers must discharge their duty not out of a confined ceremonial context but from a well-developed perspective – a perspective not derived merely out of the natural systems of learning but through revelation of Christ.
Moses
Moses went up to Mount Sinai, saw God and came back to teach people. His teachings were not superficial spiritual concepts delivered glamorously to the people. Moses taught real-pragmatic concepts of life like, ‘you shall not kill, you shall not desire your neighbour’s resources’ etc. the very things that trouble communities and nations. These concepts (the Law of Moses) were the conceptualisation (through revelation) of the nature of God. Christ is not only the end of the Law but also the fulfilment of the Law (Rom 10:4, Matt 5:17). This means that the ideals of the Law of Moses are now fulfilled through Christ. So therefore just as the Law, Christ is a system of knowledge of human life.
‘In the beginning was the Word and the Word was God; the Word became flesh’ (John 1:1&14).
The big principle of John 1 is that the divine nature of God can be conceptualised. You can express it in the form of words, language and vocabulary to help people understand not only God but His way of life as well. The Holy Spirit takes the concepts that are taught and activates them in the hearts of the people to transform lives into the same image of God. This then becomes real schooling process that demands believers themselves to engage beyond the “hype” of Sunday but in a real way that produces understanding, transformation and growth.
We have to reinstate a system of learning in the church!
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