We need practical theism

Francis Schaeffer at L'Abri
c. 1971

When, back in the 1950's, Francis and Edith Schaeffer began to think through the foundational principles of L'Abri in Switzerland as a Biblical/Christian apologetic community, they stated their purpose as:  "To show forth by demonstration, in our life and work, the existence of God."

Josh Moody, Senior Pastor of College Church, Wheaton, has been similarly writing about the necessity of the apologetic character of the local church to be clearly and purposefully manifest.  In his recent book on Galatians, No Other Gospel he says (p.19):

"It seems to me that the great difference between practical theism and practical atheism is the church of the living God. Jesus is alive, and we can’t keep that a secret. It is not okay to think, When they get to know us, they’ll realize that Jesus is alive. It has to be front and center in our worship, our smiles, our greetings, our interaction, our preaching — in everything we do, Jesus is alive. Church is not an evangelical golf club. It is the church of the living God, and we need to indicate that. We don’t want to give the impression that Jesus died and went to heaven in 1950. He’s still alive and doing things today. A church that decides it has ‘arrived’ is a breath away from dying. Pride comes before a fall. We need practical theism, a resurrection theology, the power of the Spirit through the Word of God."

HT:  OFI