Dry Rot

A parable pertinent to our age.

A stately red gum, a glory to behold, once adorned our front garden. What a picture that tree was! But then we noticed a change coming over it. First the lower branches produced no foliage, so we cut those off. Then a couple of years later only the upper branches showed signs of growth. The next season only a few straggling leaves were left and these were away up at the top.

We called a tree expert, who told us that dry rot had evidently set in and that we had no alternative but to cut the tree down. To let it stand would be dangerous. When the power saw had done its work, the accuracy of his diagnosis was all too evident.

For long years that old tree had lifted its stately arms as if in benediction. But at the last its beauty was but a pretense, for it was decayed at its very heart.

The lesson of this we may well ponder, for it is a parable pertinent to any age. Many times through the prophets of old the Lord likened His people to a tree, but al­ways a growing tree. It matters not how big a movement may grow, how efficient and smooth running its organization, if it is not sound at its heart it is doomed. Unless the ministers of a church are God-called, God-led, and God-trained men, sound in their theology and true to their responsibility, Ichabod can be written over its door.

The study of church history leaves one sober. How often through the centuries movements have arisen whose messengers went forth as heralds of the gospel to proclaim some long-forgotten truth. The fu­ture looked bright as the work of these loyal witnesses gained momentum. But with the passing years subtle changes began to be seen. Things which would have shocked their founders began to be tolerated. A willingness to accommodate themselves to the changing environment caused them to lose their sense of mission. Evangelism was no longer their watchword. Education, prestige, even popularity, seemed to blur the original image until what was once a strong, virile, active movement at last set­tled down to take its place as one of the many denominations that make up the Christian church.

A number of years ago I was traveling on a train in New Zealand. On the opposite seat was a leader of the Salvation Army, a charming Christian gentleman. We en­joyed a happy fellowship that day. He held high office among his people. Our conversa­tion led to his rehearsing some of his early experiences as a Salvationist preacher in the city of London. He told how they went out into crowded streets, preaching the gos­pel with evangelistic fire. Many times they were hit with stones or beer bottles; some­times plastered with eggs. "But with it all," he said, "we were happy, for we were pro­claiming the truth that makes men free. That is the way we were trained in those early days. The old General himself in­spired us with the spirit of evangelism and service to the needy. Soul winning became a passion."

Then his tone became more somber as he told of certain changes he had observed. "We have become somewhat popu­lar today," he said. "Perhaps it was the serv­ice we rendered the soldiers in World War I that brought it about.

"Our 'lassies' went right into the fighting areas ministering to shell shocked, tired, and wounded men, men who were looking into the eyes of death. Our work began to be eulogized, and high officials sang our praises. When the war was over we emerged a respectable body. This, I believe, led to a trend I seem to see in some areas of our work.

"In my boyhood days we stood up and preached, not knowing when we might be knocked out. But we at least knew why we were there. Opposition did not daunt us; it only spurred us on. Today we are a respectable people. But our popularity might be our peril. It is not that I want to go back to the old days of hardship, but I am deeply concerned lest we lose the vision of what God has called us to do in the world."

Revealing and challenging words! I have pondered them, especially as in my thoughts I have tried to relive the experience of some of our own early leaders. No sacrifice was too great for them, no call too insignificant. Those men and women lived for one thing and one thing only—the heralding of the everlasting gospel.

Spurned and ridiculed, sometimes even persecuted, yet like the great apostle they could say, "Neither count I my life dear unto myself." They knew why they were there. They also knew the Scriptures, and the saving grace of Christ. A power attended their preaching as they presented our great High Priest in His climaxing min­istry in heaven.

But we too have undergone changes. No longer are we ridiculed. Our work is recognized with appreciation in high circles.

But popularity has its price. It could also be our peril. Our brethren in Public Relations are doing a great service as they bring before the public the true image of the Advent Movement. Our mission work is known the world over and is often lauded to the skies. But are we sure that this is really good for us? Is it making us more sacrificial, or more superficial? Are we as ready as our fathers were to go anywhere, do anything, accept any assignment, so long as it is for the advancement of the message? Or is there a tendency for us to weigh things up in respect to rank, position, or scholarly attainment?

We rejoice in the definite advances we have made educationally. Our ministers have opportunities today of which we scarcely dreamed in earlier days. It is there­fore natural that education be given some­thing of a priority. We would not disparage scholarship, but where one receives his edu­cation is important. When a man, eager to improve himself and thus make his min­istry more effective, goes to a school of learning where the instructors know little of the power of the gospel and still less of our great message, is he not running a tremendous risk?

Professors trained in liberal theology, or at best in the neo-orthodox school, have little of value for Adventist preachers and teachers. And one who exposes himself to such influences may have his vision some­what blurred, so that his preaching and teaching lacks the old-time ring of the defi­nite message we have been commissioned to proclaim. It is altogether possible that a kind of neo-Adventism may arise. It is well to remember that the Reformation was killed not by the Catholics but in the schools. One may not be aware of subtle influences that may undermine his confi­dence, that at last he may discover himself to be shorn of the fire and fervor of earlier days. Samson said, "I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself." But "he wist not that the Lord was departed from him."

In this great hour when we are about to see the climax of God's work on earth we need all the evangelistic passion of our pioneers, and more. Advanced education is good, provided we keep our vision clear and our confidence strong.

It is heartening to know that Andrews University is not only granting a Master's degree in theology, which represents four years of graduate work, but is moving rapidly toward the doctorate in theology. That cannot come too soon. It costs money for an institution to launch out on a pro­gram like this, but education is always ex­pensive. Whatever the cost in dollars, it is small compared with the price we have paid at times when some have lost their way.

To be able to study under consecrated, well-trained teachers, men whose loyalty to the truths of the Advent message is ever apparent, is indeed a privilege. And we thank God that we have among us some real scholars. But to whatever standards of education we may attain as a denomina­tion, our greatest need will always be for men whose clear concepts of the divine pur­pose and destiny of the Advent Move­ment are uppermost; men who in the class­room and in the pulpit can present our distinctive message in such a way that those under their influence need never question their theological standing or their Chris­tian experience.

Ancient Israel suffered the judgments of God when they left the fountains of living water to draw from the polluted cisterns of the world. What help could come from the gods of Ekron? "The trees of the Lord are full of sap," said the psalmist. But if modern theology replaces the vital, living, prophetic picture of the judgment, the Second Advent, and related themes, then the virility of our message will be gone, dry rot will have set in, and the end will be in• sight. "Believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light" is the com­mand of our Captain. The future is bright only as we remember the way the Lord has led us and His dealings with us in our past history.

R. A. A.

Note:

Our cover picture shows Walter Schubert in action as he delivered his moving message the last day of the presession Ministerial Council in San Francisco. A fearless evangelist, this faithful preacher has proclaimed the everlasting gospel with power. God has given him ability to present the message of grace in different languages, three in particular—English, Spanish, and German. In some countries he is known as "the preacher of love." No one can listen to this man without being aware that he loves God and loves the people to whom he preaches.

For years he was Ministerial Association secretary for the great South American Division. During the past eight years he has been a valued member of the headquarters staff here in Wash­ington. In this capacity he has served as teacher, counselor, and evangelist in many areas of the world. It is given to few preachers to make the impact he has made upon his generation. For the success of his labors, for the thousands who have been led by him to accept salvation and to prepare to meet our soon-coming Saviour, we give thanks to our heavenly Father.

Humility, hard work, and consecration have marked the ex­perience of this dedicated servant of Christ. He has brought inspiration to God's workers wherever he has labored. His present condition of health makes it necessary for him to serve in a some­what quieter capacity. But we take courage in the thought that soon evangelism will be all in the past and the gospel work finished. When our Lord returns in glory He will bring His reward with Him "to give every man according as his work shall be."

As this loyal associate seeks more leisurely assignments in the ministry, we know that Advent workers around the world will join in saying, "The Lord bless and keep you."

R. A. A.


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December 1962

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