In 1456 Johann Gutenberg and Peter Schaeffer printed the Bible. In the next 42 years, 15 million books had been printed. Most of them the old familiar ones. But William Caxton in England established a press in Westminster Abbey ands printed books such as The Canterbury Tales, and others written for people. Books about botany, mathematics, and sciences flourished as did books like novels or philosophy. Luther early on recognized the value of the printed page and used it very much.
The point is people had no idea where it would lead, this new printing press and ability to spread the word rapidly. In 1500 a man named William Brant said, “there is nothing our children do not know”.
We cannot know the future, but we do know it will change. Take the computer. It used radio tubes at first, fragile, easily broken. Then came the integrated circuit board. But the real growth came with the invention of software, so one no longer needed to know how to operate the computer, software did it all. Change.
Where were you 42 years ago? See any changes? The 60’s, rebellious youth, women’s rights. Vietnam war, Desert Storm, Watergate, Civil rights, Afghanistan, Iraq, etc. etc. Changes.
And the great change is the way people look at religion. People used to respect the Bible, the Gospel. No longer. A newspaper article today applauds the fact that America offers a shopping mall of religions to chose from. New Age, The Secret, and so many others. “We shop for everything else why not religion?”
What does this mean for the command to “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature”? It is a question the Church today struggles with. How do we, what do we, why not try, etc.
I find the Bible offers me a picture that is much like this. Rome, ancient Rome, was the city of power, prestige, and accomplishment. It was filled with philosophies and many gods. And Paul came with his message, the very same message we have to offer today. It is interesting to watch him in action. Maybe he can give us some hints for action. Look at how he starts his letter to the Romans. In v.16 he says “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God”. He doesn’t debate, or argue, or say “try this for a change”. He simply offers, this is the solution.
Does he argue about their false gods, their philosophies? No, he asks them a simple question. “Look at the result of your way of life. Read verses 18 to 30 and see the truth Paul brings out.
Paul also points out something else. He says what they sees is the result of the Wrath of God. In short, there is always a consequence to ignoring the truth of the gospel.
That was Paul’s program. It succeeded, did it not. In a few short years the truth of Jesus Christ found itself even in the seat of the palace. It is ever so, and we should not despair. Paul also teaches us that “All things work together for good to them that love God”. So the kind of life we are living in is the place where we are also to “Go and preach”. And it happens usually from one Christian to another person, in love, often offering calm and serenity and peace to a troubled soul. For the Spirit of God is ever there to bless.
Read Romans, and the Book of Acts to see how the Holy Spirit sent His people to spread the Word to the world.
GPD 3/2/08
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