You have heard the question.
If you are marooned on an island on the backside of the ocean, and you could only have one item, what would you select?
My less than spiritual answer in today’s world of technology would be a satellite telephone.
I know I was to supposed to ask for a Bible. However, a satellite phone seems to have greater possibilities for salvation from a deserted island.
When I was living in South America, one of my responsibilities was the supervision of our small church print shop. One item we always kept in stock was a series of home Bible studies titled “Island Church.”
The gist of the lessons centered on the bad fortune of island exile with the good fortune of having a copy of the Bible.
The picture on our Bible lessons was the 50-square foot volcano top with the standard Palm tree at the center for shade—the artist hadn’t thought of the implications of high and low tide. I don’t know how Robinson Crusoe lucked out to find Friday and an Island big enough to explore.
The idea of the lessons was simple. Should there be multiple people abandoned on their own private individual islands—as long as each one was fortunate enough to find a copy of Scripture in their backpack—everyone’s church would look the same.
I must say there are aspects of the last century’s simplistic worldview I miss.
Three major problems in Island Church theology sell short the Creator.
First, He is the Creator of the universe. There is nothing simplistic about Creator God. My understanding of the eternal is at best limited. To mine the core of God’s brain and His purposes for me is an impossible task. Grace gives me room not to get it right.
Second, we tend to sell short his creation. Each human created in God’s image is a complex being. With my God-wired complexity, it is not possible to think identically and to have the same perspectives of a fellow creation also God-wired with individual complexity.
Third, although times and cultures change, Scripture pulsates new every morning with the breath of the Spirit. Our Bible beating with God’s Holy Spirit makes Scripture serve every age. Like the compassion of God, it is new every morning.
Even as the heart and truth of Scripture remains unchanged, the 21st Century church will look different from the 1st Century church, and the 20th Century church as God’s promises address nuances of each culture His church encounters.
Here is what I think.
Island Church is far too simplistic when compared to the heart of Christ Church.
Island Church emerges from rules.
Christ Church emerges from love.
Wouldn’t the simple step of recognizing we don’t all have to look alike, go a long way toward the enhancement of unity in Christ’s church?
Stay tuned.
Dr. Gary Sorrells – Reflecting on Cross Church
Gary@GodReflection.org
God Reflection 