Last Saturday, I took Gabe deer hunting. (For you anti-hunters I wish I could leave that part out, but it is pertinent for the purposes of this blog). It was an experience that has challenged my faith since last Saturday. I need your help, so please post a response at the end of this blog (PLEASE!!!).
We arrived at the shooting house about 2 hours before dark and set up for the evening hunt. This particular shooting house is a nice one. It is large enough for two hunters to sit in comfortably. It was built by a hunter who no longer has access to this hunting land. So, now it belongs to the land owner. For the last few years, Gabe and I have been the primary users of this great shooting house. We love spending time there. It is some great "father and son time."
However, we weren't alone.
There were two flying squirrels there when we arrived. History has taught me that I usually have an annual encounter with them. They look like really big mice with furry tails. They live there some years and some years not. So, I ran them outside the house and Gabe and I settled in for the hunt.
Gabe got settled in playing his DS, and I sat back to watch the field. During the hunt, I began to think. (I know that's dangerous, but I did it anyway.)
It got me to thinking about one question: Whose house was this anyway?
The one who built it was long gone. The landowner never used it, but . My son and I used it as for it's designed purpose, but no more than 5 or 6 times a year. The squirrels could take advantage of it year round, but not for its intended purpose. Whose house was this?
Does it matter? No matter whether you are a naturalist, a hunter, or libertarian, it really doesn't matter. It is great food for thought, but of no real consequence.
Now, consider the church. Consider the interview of the Grand Inquisitor in Dostoevsky's Brothers Karamazov. To whom does the CHURCH belong?
The ones who built it are long gone. The denomination may lay a legal claim to it, but do they ever use it for its intended purpose? When does it get used for its intended purpose? Is it just used for some "Heavenly Father and son time?" Do the locals move in and claim it when not in use? Does that mean that it belongs to the community? Whose church is it?
Certainly we could say that it belongs to Christ. No one would dare argue with that. The next quextion would focus on the intended purpose. Is the CHURCH's purpose as singular as that of a shooting house? Is it to witness to our faith in God? Is it to reveal God's love through teaching? Is it a house of worship? Is it a place of justice and hope? What is its purpose? Does it get used for its intended purpose very often? When it is not being used for it's purpose, does the community move in to set up shop? Do squatters have rights here? Whose church is it?
It's just what I've been thinking about lately. Have you?
Jack
I welcome your responses.