CAUTIOUSLY, yet hopefully, the heads of state approached the Summit. What transpired there left the world in a state of shock. Stark terror gripped many hearts as it became apparent that the conference was sabotaged before it began. Of the Summit debacle it may be said, Seldom in history have so many expected so much but received so little. Fearful of itself, seeing no way out of the present impasse, this troubled planet is "summit sick"!
More than 3,000 years ago Moses went to the summit. For forty days, in top level communion with his Maker, this man of God sought help for his people. In this he was not unsuccessful. When he emerged from the cloud his countenance reflected the glory of God. He had help for the people. He brought with him a peace plan for a stricken world.
The prophet Elijah went to the summit. The very atmosphere at Carmel buzzed with excitement as the throngs gathered to witness the impending contest. The demonstration that followed brought courage to the faithful and struck fear to the hearts of God's enemies. Fire from heaven stamped the prophet's ministry with the seal of the living God. The earnest seeker was shown a plain path to travel. Their joyful shouts echoed through surrounding valleys. Their hopes were realized, their needs met. They were not "summit sick."
Peter, James, and John went to the summit. Before this experience, although ministers, they had but a limited concept of the nature of the Son of God. Actually they were not aware that God was in their midst. But at the summit He was transfigured before them. Before the astonished disciples Christ unveiled His glory, and they saw Him as He is. They were never the same again. This exalted concept of His nature transformed their ministry. They were as men obsessed and possessed. Henceforth the days were too short and the fastest pace too slow. They had gone to the summit and returned transformed men.
The apostle John went to the summit. He speaks of himself thus: "And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain." He caught a glimpse up there of the glories of the world to come. His view of the city, described in sublime language, lingers yet to cheer the weary and inspire the oppressed. Unnumbered millions have reached the summit because of what John saw and wrote.
At Calvary Jesus went to the summit, there to secure forever the plan of redemption. The bargaining was intense, the struggle severe. But Christ in silence took every indignity heaped upon Him. A startled universe gazed in amazement as an all-powerful God refused to defend Himself, submitting to be led as a lamb to the slaughter. Many, not understanding the scripture, were disappointed with His performance. Few understood that upon His restraint and submission rested man's hope of survival. But His was a triumph of the first magnitude. His death was mankind's deliverance. From Golgotha's summit a light now shines, a beacon of hope for a desperate world.
At the summit Moses found a way of life —the law. Jesus provided the means for living—grace. At Carmel's summit Elijah challenged his age to demonstrate both principles. His was an experience of summit evangelism. From his summit John caught a glimpse of the reward of the faithful. At their summit Peter, James, and John were introduced to the kingdom of God.
To ministers of the twentieth century a trip to the summit may be no less rewarding. Saints and sinners gather at the altar to catch one glimmer of hope. But for many listeners there is only frustration. They come for corn and are fed husks. In disappointment they turn away, sadly aware that for this minister there was a collapse at the summit. He has returned from the mountain empty-handed. He speaks, but not for God. His words lack the anointing fire.
The minister's mountain is his study. To this summit he must advance every day for conferences with his Master. For some, negotiations have broken off. It was the testimony of an apostate minister that he had not gone to God in prayer for his own soul in two years. It is to be hoped that such an experience is uncommon.
Prayerlessness is the cardinal sin of our time. The temptation to become a "busy bee" is an innocent one. Its by-product—• the temptation to pray less—is more serious. For some ministers the pastor's study has become a psychiatric clinic; the pastor's shoulder, modern Israel's "weeping wall." No human being is capable of bearing all the burdens of all the people. Nor should the role of the "confessional" in the corruption of the clergy be underestimated. On this point alone strong men have been felled with a single blow. The burden bearer struggles wearily toward another day, unaware that it is this unwarranted assumption of God's prerogative that has sabotaged his summit. That some guidance of the saints in personal counsel is necessary no responsible minister will deny. But the saints must be encouraged to seek God personally for individual guidance. Every man is a priest, and hence has access to the mercy seat. The minister's commission is to seek. Some have resigned themselves to being sought, hence this "summit sickness."
"I wish I could impress upon every worker in God's cause, the great need of continual, earnest prayer. They cannot be constantly upon their knees, but they can be uplifting their hearts to God."'—Evangelism, p. 681.
A sin-weary people "quicken" with expectation when the minister approaches the rostrum. He has spent six days at the summit. What communique will he issue? For some congregations, to their dismay, the message is remarkable for its vagueness. Many leave the church not knowing whether they are at peace or at war with the Creator. Others are treated w^ith an assortment of dates, facts, and figures, and leave the church with the distinct impression of having been cheated. Still others are subjected to so much "worshipful promotion" that the preaching of the cross gets little attention. The Christian pulpit is no place for ax grinding, private interpretation, or traffic in merchandise, however holy. It is at least one place where Christ should stand unchallenged. The people expect a man straight from the "summit" to have news of the peace treaty now offered to the world for some 1,900 years. The future of the world, indeed the universe, is at stake. Humanity hungers for one word of hope from Jehovah. Creation seeks reassurance from its Creator. The world is already confused. It is criminal to add to that confusion with the doubt-producing speculations of "higher criticism." Nor is the man of God under any pressure from the saints to certify his academic fitness. The people want to hear from God.
The man who speaks for God will be heard!
E. E. C.
