In Case of Emergency, Break Theology

And reach for grace.

It is only for those of us temporarily (we hope) cut off from physical fellowship this whole “what is real church” thing is quite new. In missionary circles it goes back decades.

The possibility of literature evangelism, and more importantly radio evangelism (and now internet based evangelism) has led for decades to the phenomenon of individuals declaring their faith in Christ, maintaining Christian fellowship through mail or email, and yet having no access to a believing community. There are many places in the world where there are no Christian churches, or where they meet furtively for fear of their lives and are therefore invisible to seekers. 

In missiological circles the debate about the status of and ministry to these believer has been intense. It is just that almost all US churches, particularly the mainline, have become so withdrawn or even disdainful of such evangelistic ministry and its fruit that they are hardly aware of the problem. But it is real, and affects 10’s of thousands if not more believers. 

I won’t reiterate the debates among missiologists in this regard. They are readily available in a variety of journals, most notably Missiology and Mission Studies. I simply want to point out that any theological conclusions we come to about what constitutes church, worship, and eucharistic fellowship must always bracket themselves, as COVID 19 forces us to do now, with the modifier: “usually,” or “in normal circumstances.” 

Back when I was a pastor in Vienna I read the highly idealistic work of Willimon and Hauerwas. I was particularly struck by ardent guidelines for preparation for baptism. And how ridiculous they were for an adult convert fleeing persecution. Or for parents of a newborn briefly living in a transit camp on their way to a hopefully better future. They were rules for privileged, suburban, American churches and people who had ample time and resources for months of classes. They were rules made by theologians who hadn't thought about refugees or received a desperate letter declaring faith in Christ and seeking a friendly and encouraging answer. 

I hear those same voices in the high church ideologues who decry online worship and scoff at communion without physical presence. How about a little Jesus here: "the sabbath was made for humans, not humans for the sabbath.” A little more identifying with the desperate and cut off and a lot less liturgical correctness. How about a little more compassion and a lot less theology. COVID 19 may be temporary for most American Christians. In its implications it is ever present for Christians both here and abroad. Indeed, think of the thousands that will die in these few months with no comfort of the sacrament because their pastor was too theologically sophisticated to think of communion outside clerical control. 

There will be a time to sit back, analyze, and consider the best way forward in the future. Now is not the time. “In case of emergency, break theology and reach for grace.”