| 
|
 THE
FALL and RISE
of CHRISTIAN
STANDARDS
by David Kidd
Since I first came into the
conservative, “plain” circles,
I have been continually challenged by the lifestyles and
commitments of the churches and families that I have met.
Coming from my background, I quickly noticed that these
churches have been able to go forward with a clear direction,
address
sin, and deal with worldly compromise like churches from
my background could only dream of. I have frequently pondered
the fundamental differences that lie between these conservative
churches and the modern evangelical churches. Both groups
lift up faith in Jesus as the basis of salvation, both
groups claim to believe that the Bible is the infallible
Word of
God. So why the vast difference in practice between these
so-called Bible-believing churches? The history of Israel,
portrayed through the Old Testament, demonstrates that
when the nation was suffering from corruption, compromise
and
backsliding, the reason could almost always be traced back
down to a glaring neglect of some fundamental, biblical
principle.
Likewise today, it has become
obvious that the secular slide of modern evangelicalism
is also evidence of a neglect of some fundamental biblical principles.
Several fundamentals could be mentioned, but one of the
most obviously neglected principles
would be the biblical teaching of discipleship and properly applied church
standards. Unfortunately, these principles have such political and emotional
baggage connected with them that they can hardly even be discussed without
causing indignation and alarm.
When I first made plans to
attend Charity Christian Fellowship, I was warned by several
well-meaning brothers not to attend because they “had no standards.” After
I got there, I heard this idea passed around among a few of the members; and
frankly, at first it really was almost funny to me. To an ex-evangelical who
grew up with “Christian” rock, worldly entertainments of all kinds,
mixed water slide parties, extravagant and immodest clothing, flagrantly unscriptural
dating practices, etc., etc.—the idea that we “had no standards” was
ridiculous to me! Indeed, it was plainly evident by my observation that there
were very clear standards in place. The preachers were able to call sin –sin,
and even to be specific about what that sin was. Issues and concerns were brought
up in brother’s meetings, and decisions were able to be made, with clear
direction given. I watched brothers bow their hearts to one another’s
conviction like I never knew was even possible. For me, I saw that this church
was experiencing the fruit of a biblical fundamental that was grossly lacking
from my background.
So where did this idea of “no standards” come from? It was not
until I began to become acquainted with many of the “Old Order” groups
that I realized what the brothers were calling “standards.” In
some of these groups, church rules were collections of century old written
statements, mandating everything from tractor tires to bow ties. Furthermore,
once the standards were written, some of these churches no longer felt the
need to teach the principles behind them, and so naturally, a merely outward
submission was maintained. It is this mindset and idea of “standards” that “Charity
churches” have rightfully wanted to avoid.
The difference in explanation
and understanding on these issues demonstrates the principle
that the need for definition is critically important
for any group to be able to communicate effectively. A definition
for the
word “standards” is
certainly one of those areas of need among us, especially as we fellowship
and minister among other conservative and Old Order groups. How to articulate
the ideas of having a clear direction for a church, that is not afraid to
speak out specifically about modern issues and sins, while not going the
way of a
static, unchangeable paper mandate with no life or flexibility, is a needed
objective.
 I believe that the book, The
Fall and Rise of Christian Standards, by David Kidd, offers
refreshing discussion and insight into this
volatile topic.
Written by a Baptist pastor, the book obviously comes from someone
who
has felt the
pain of worldliness in the Church. While holding clearly to a salvation
by grace through faith, David Kidd has dared to preach what “grace” should
be doing in the lives of true believers. But don’t let the word “standards” scare
you off. David Kidd’s use of the word is a bit different than what
is generally spoken of in plain circles. Nonetheless, his driving point is
that
the Church today should be able to speak out clearly, distinctly, and purposely
against the lures and enticements of the world.
At the beginning of the book,
David Kidd laments over the loss of clear, biblical absolutes
in the Church today. He writes:
As the culture continues its subversive war on righteous
standards, Christianity has abandoned some of its most precious
treasures. Decency is sacrificed, wholesomeness forfeited,
discreteness surrendered, all for the precarious pleasure
of dancing with the wolf of fad and fashion even while it
gorges itself on these sacred virtues.
The crown gems of modesty, femininity and dignified Christian
manhood, once a badge of honor, are thoughtlessly traded
for the ludicrous, daring and indecent designs of a self-indulgent,
and sensuous culture. From pants for women to earrings for
men, Christianity was at first shocked, then merely shook
its head, eventually shrugged, and finally nodded as it accepted
and adapted to the latest fashion phenomenon. Each time,
it loses another gem of virtue from its divinely given treasury.
Another foundation, and a precious one at that, is crumbling
even as we speak. A devilish anesthesia numbs us to the priceless
loss.
Offering a warning against empty standards, Kidd writes
that the worldly drift of the modern Church today evolved
from the practice of keeping strong outward standards, with
no biblical teaching. He says,
Many Christians schools and churches were measured by how
high their standards were, while there was little if any
instruction regarding the biblical principles upon which
those standards were based. Though perhaps not intentionally,
biblical principles were ignored while external standards
were exalted. Today, we see the next generation reacting
to this arbitrary imposition of standards by rejecting them
as legalistic, opting instead for the freedom of living under
grace while forgetting about the standards biblical principles
demand. This tragic comedy of errors, resulting in a brand
of Christianity that is virtually indistinguishable from
the culture, could almost be humorous were it not for the
nightmarish consequences.
Considering the idea of “separation,” as spoken
of in 2 Cor. 6:17, where the Bible says, “Wherefore
come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord,
and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,” David
Kidd wrote:
This is one of those powder keg passages in which lighting
a candle to illuminate its truth places you at ground zero
of an inevitable explosion. A pastor who stands firmly for
the principle of separation in the church regarding emotionally
supercharged issues like dress or music, is likely to find
himself smoldering amidst ruins that were once his ministry.
Speaking of the embarrassing and scandalous attitude of
the Church, which he sees as literally chasing after the
ways of the world, Kidd writes,
As our culture, and the
clothes it wears moves steadily on a deviant, and rebellious
path, it should be leaving the
church of Christ in a cloud of fashion dust. Alas,
the
church, rather than being content to look like
the stranger and pilgrim
it claims to be, has picked up the latest fad quicker
than the world can shed it for a new one. Do you suppose
that
as the world invents and adopts the latest style,
unconscious of the spiritual war in which they themselves
are the prize,
it may occasionally turn around to find the church
wearing their same garments and chuckle to itself, “Hey,
look who is following us?”
This is not one of those
books which merely criticizes, offering no remedy. Kidd
proposes radical changes in the
modern Church today in keeping with the clear teachings
of the Word of God. The scriptural theme woven throughout
the
book is Nehemiah’s rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem.
Kidd sees this as analogous to the need for bringing back
biblical standards, discipleship, and clear direction,
just as the Church once had centuries ago.
The words of Nehemiah,
as he viewed the ruins of the wall of Jerusalem,
are a fitting description for the 21st century
church which has adapted to the world’s fashions and
foolishness, losing its own glorious luster in the trade-off. “Ye
see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste,
and the gates thereof are burned with fire…” (Neh.
2:17). As our increasingly corrupt society
has chipped away at the fundamentally Christian
principles
of modesty,
gender
distinction, decency and discreteness, the
church has failed to recognize that with
each subtle accommodation,
these
foundational Christian values are compromised.
Like the wall of Jerusalem,
they lie in ruins. This book is a call and
a plan to reclaim and rebuild these lost,
forfeited and
forgotten Christian
virtues.
Like Nehemiah, we must
begin by surveying the sobering reality of these
ruins. The work begins by clearing away the rubble
of misconception that has allowed the church
to comfortably live in the world’s trendy
fashions. Foundational principles are laid and
building begins
with cornerstones
of biblical
truth, logic, reason and example. The task
is immense, but its success is imperative.
The
bride of Christ is allowing itself to be dragged through
the cultural muck
of fad and fashion. God intends better
for us. Our motive for reconstructing a biblical
view of righteous standards ought to be the same as
Nehemiah’s
for rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem, “that we be no
more a reproach” (Neh. 2:17).
In general, I found this
book informative, thought provoking, and convincing.
I do not know of another book that deals
with these issues with as much clarity and biblical support
as this one. David Kidd’s arguments are clearly articulated
and present a much needed “sounding of the trumpet” about
this very sensitive and grossly neglected topic. Certainly,
there are a few things in the book that I would have said
differently, and of course in the end, we have even ended
up in a different place than the personal standards that
he mentions in the back of the book. Nevertheless, his well
thought-out argument for recovering the lost gems of Christian
standards, while boldly addressing and graphically exposing
the tremendous need that exists in the Church today in this
area, uniquely sets this book apart as “one of a kind.” ?
This book can be purchased online
at all the main online bookstores, such as www.Amazon.com.
It also can be ordered
directly from the publisher by calling 1-866-909-2665,
or you may simply go to their website: www.xulonpress.com.
 Click
the icon to download or print this article.
You will need Adobe®
Reader® software installed on your computer in order to view this file.
(Adobe, the Adobe PDF file icon and Reader are either
registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United
States and/or other countries.)
|
|
