Although it was originally published over a year ago we draw your attention to a very interesting and challenging article by John P. Burgess, the James Henry Snowden Professor of Systematic Theology at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, USA. Originally published by First Things in May 2014 Burgess’ article raises very challenging questions about the mission of the Gospel and the State.
Burgess’ article provides many clear insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the contemporary Russian Orthodox Church but in addressing this particular context he raises equally important questions for the Christian community in his native USA (especially in election year) and indeed in any Christian community that needs to consider its relationship with, and mission to, the State.
In essence Burgess sees the Russian Orthodox Church as facing inexorably entwined temptations and opportunities. The opportunity is that of a nation, a State, and a President, who seem ready to provide a place of honour and privilege for the Church and therefore a ready platform for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The temptation and the trap is for the Church to mistake an opportunity for mission for an opportunity for power and position and in so doing to find itself co-opted as the lapdog of the State. Burgess is no prophet, he cannot tell us whether the Russian Orthodox Church is about to lead that great nation of Russia into a revival of faith, culture and destiny or whether it is about to sell out on the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the sake of secular power.
In the mirror of his writing we see the American Church facing exactly the same questions. Is the Church bringing the nation to faith or is the nation bringing the Church to a secularised watered-down gospel? And what of the UK, and so many other nations where churches long for a revival of Christendom and mission seems a much more difficult and lonely (yet perhaps more appropriate) road?
You can download a text only version of John Burgess’ paper here or read it on line here.