About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13
for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14
But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
Some years ago, a friend of my wife was talking about her visit with her children to see the kids’ grandmother. As the children were eating, or rather NOT eating but
playing with their food, grandma asked them if they would rather eat their broccoli or have some ice-cream. Seriously, asking children if they want broccoli or ice-cream?
Why don’t we let our young children set their menu? Why don’t we let them decide what they will and will not eat? The answer to that is obvious. Our text is making
what appears to be an obvious point.
Milk is a necessity in the early days and months of life and remains important…but it cannot be everything, all the time. There comes a time when the child moves,
and must move to solid foods that they might mature physically and mentally.
I know, you are getting bored already! Come on pastor, something not so obvious! Well then, answer this question: Why is it that so many Christians are not only eager
to stay with a diet of milk, but actually get cross at the suggestion that they should be eating something more substantial? (NT Wright, 52)
One of the things that drew me to Sandhills Presbyterian Church over 16 years ago was the consistent message from some of you and others that the folks at Sandhills
wanted to go deeper…that the congregation thought their Christian experience was shallow and they wanted more. The milk was sweet, it was good, but it was time to eat solid food and we have been living life together and cooking up some great meals…both physically
and spiritually. And I say this with gratitude but also to encourage us that Christian maturity is a constant process…it continues on, as we must continue to press higher up and deeper into the things of the Lord.
There are so many Christians who are highly motivated and who seem to stop at nothing to grow in their profession, their hobbies, even in deepening their experiences
in the world, they give time, energy, even money in such pursuits but who do not exercise anything like that in their spiritual lives. They have gotten a little ways and…well…that is enough. And there is, and I mean no offense, but there is an extraordinary
ignorance with regard to the Bible, and even who God is and all that Christ has done and won…And even more so with regard to what we believe as Christians and what it looks like as the truth makes its way into our hearts…our lives…that is, what it looks
like.
A pastor theologian in England commented: “Some Christians are indeed eager and ready for solid food. But I deeply regret that, in many churches…it seems that the
most people can be persuaded to take on board is another small helping of warm milk.”
I am not often content with just knowing what the problem is, or even what my problem is, without doing some soul searching or investigation as to the why or maybe
how…how did I get here…how did WE get here.
Some time ago I read a book by Thomas Bergler: The Juvenilization of American Christianity and I wanted to sum up some of his thinking as he explores how and
why the American church has stagnated in immaturity.
Bergler wrote that early in his college teaching career, he asked a group of students, “What does a mature Christian look like?” They disliked the question and resisted answering
it. “I don’t think we ever arrive in our spiritual growth.” “We’re not supposed to judge one another.” “No one is perfect in this life.”
Sadly, he concluded, these evangelical college students did not believe that Christian maturity was attainable, therefore, it was not desirable. The churches these students
grew up in, had nurtured them well enough to get them to pursue a Christian college education, but did not manage to inspire them with a biblical vision of spiritual maturity.
Bergler’s book is not exhaustive but is a sociological look at what has happened since the 1930’s that would get us to this point. He is not picking on young people
in any way, if anything he is picking on older people in the church who have failed to grow up and tells us why.
“Juvenilization, (he writes) is the process by which the religious beliefs, practices, and developmental characteristics of adolescents become accepted as appropriate for Christians of
all ages. It begins with the praiseworthy goal of adapting the faith to appeal to the young. But it ends badly, with both youth and adults embracing immature versions of the faith.”
He continues: “In 1950, many American churches promoted a more serious, mature faith than they do today. But ironically, those same churches also often had less of a grip
on people’s lives. By personalizing Christianity and creatively blending it with elements of popular culture ranging from rock music to political protests, youth ministries helped ensure the ongoing vitality of Christianity in America. But these same ministries
also pandered to the consumerism, self-centeredness, and even outright immaturity of American believers. For good or ill, American Christianity would never be the same.”
To be continued…
Prayer: Father, although many times I have lived without balance, seeking
to be noticed but never seen, I repent of my foolishness and rejoice that I am seen and known by You. Help me Father, to mature in Christ and to deepen my understanding of Your call upon my life. Help me to be faithful with what You have given and find joy,
peace and rest in serving my Savior and Lord, through Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Song: Our Great God
