It Simply Happened

Surprise. Not many things surprise me when it comes to Church history. I have been studying it for half my life. But every once in a while I will light upon a subject that has the tendency to bore most but enlivens me personally, especially when it gives me help in navigating this sequestration and the changes that will be coming our way as a church. The "virus" has given me an opportunity to read The Patient Ferment of the Early Church:  The Improbable Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire by Mennonite scholar and former missionary, Alan Kreider. 

"Fermentation is a metabolic process that produces chemical changes in organic substrates through the action of enzymes. In biochemistry, it is narrowly defined as the extraction of energy from carbohydrates in the absence of oxygen." (Wikipedia, "Fermentation." Cited 5-5-20)

And for the rest of us..."its the living stuff that we can't see that makes bread rise and grape juice sour." (Dan Lute, Cited 5-5-20 9 ; - )

The early church grew. It is an undeniable fact. In the book of Acts we see that it grew through the preaching of Peter and the teaching of Paul. But these are rare examples and not the norm for the first three hundred years of the church's struggling existence.

The church grew and any non-Christian person should be surprised at its survival. Followers of Jesus can rest on the words of Matthew 16, "Upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." But in either position we must ask, "How?"

"Nobody had to join the churches. People were not compelled to become members by invading armies or the imposition of laws; social convention did not induce them to do so. Indeed, Christianity grew despite the opposition of laws and social convention. These were formidable disincentives." (p. 8) "According to the evidence at our disposal, the expansion of the church was not organized, the product of a mission program; it simply happened." (p. 9)

It appears that very little of what we attribute to church growth was included in the early church. There was no evangelism strategy to reach our neighbors. They did not use their worship services to attract people. In fact, very quickly, because of persecution, unbelievers were not allowed to attend church services. They certainly weren't allowed to participate in the Lord's Supper or prayer meetings. These actions that characterized the early church were protected and preserved because they encased the divine power of God, of heaven on earth. Pagans, therefore, looked upon Christianity as a secret society; a "Jewish sect" worthy of speculation and gossip.

It appears that the greatest distinction of Christianity in the first three hundred years was it's quiet patience - this indescribable spiritual fermentation that developed into the global loaf (Body) that it is today. And it was observed by others. Patience was observed as they prayed for their neighbors. Patience was observed as they prayed for the governing authorities that were persecuting them. Patience was observed during the reign of Nero, Claudius, Diocletian, Domitian and other self-proclaimed demi-gods. Patience was observed during plagues that ravaged whole communities (e.g. Carthage in the 200's). Patience was observed when they were kicked out of their families, when they were ostracized and forbidden to be a part of the larger business community. 

This patience was attractive to those dissatisfied with their debauched culture. The Christian patience was attractive to those on the margins, to those excluded, to those isolated and experiencing social distancing. The Christian patience was a unique draw to those desiring a stronger sense of community around a faith system that was not connected to some sort of legalistic religious mechanism but to genuine love that crossed over social boundaries. They were attracted to a patience that led to a new birth, a new life, a new hope, a new Way. 

It was a patience that endured because there was a coming expectation that was well worth the wait. It was a patient endurance that clearly communicated that their is a God, the true God, who is in control and moving things toward a hope-filled eternity. Jesus was coming...again. They patiently waited. 

And here I am...complaining every single day about the ridiculous, voluntary, separation that I am made to endure. In my hubris thoughts I presume to tell God what he is doing wrong. "Hurry it up already! I need to get back to ministry, to reaching people for Jesus." My words betray me. My thoughts minimizing the God I know. 

Father...help me to be patient. My unsaved friends and neighbors need me to be. 

Day 138  until home. Maranatha!