Reformation

Ecclesia Semper Reformanda (The Church is always to be reformed)

- Karl Barth

Conversion is a common theme throughout the history of the Church. We stand on one side of a great divide, lost and separate from God; God reaches out to us and we are fundamentally changed, forgiven, given eyes to see and ears to hear. 

Current North American Christianity often emphasizes the central importance of "being born again," of the moment when I accept that Christ died for my sin and God works a change within. Unfortunately, many have taken this emphasis to mean that the new birth is the only thing that distinguishes the Christian life, so much so that the Christianity of those who can't identify such a moment is sometimes called into question. The Church has taught differently throughout history (as do many leaders in today's evangelical movement). When we are "born again," we are spiritual infants, but aren't supposed to stay that way; growth is necessary for a healthy life.

• Wesley identifies the transformation of Romans 12:2 with justification and the new birth, yet calls out for continual repentance on the part of believers: "a deep conviction that we are not yet whole; that our hearts are not fully purified; that there is yet in us a 'carnal mind,' which is still in its nature 'enmity against God;' that a whole body of sin remains in our heart, weakened indeed, but not destroyed; shows, beyond all possibility of doubt, the absolute necessity of a farther change." (The Repentance of Believers, Sermon 14)
• Luther sees the work of Romans 12:2 as continuing until death: "In this way, the Apostle describes progress; for he addresses those who are already Christians. The Christian life does not mean to stand still, but to move from that which is good to that which is better. ...[the Christian] is always in the state of nakedness, always in the state of becoming... We are in part sinners, and in part righteous, and so nothing else than penitents." (Commentary on Romans, tr. Mueller)

As reformers in both the Protestant and Catholic church have taught, this growth must occur in the Church as a whole, not only in individual Christians. This change can begin with the recognition that we have been conformed to the world and need our minds to be renewed.

What do you think?

What did you learn as a child about growth and openness to change in your understanding of the world? Did "grownups" ever change their mind about how the world worked? Was there some event - asking Jesus into your heart, confirmation, graduation, marriage, ordination - that signaled a move into sure, certain, unshakable knowledge?