Image Problem?

It has been said by many theologians and churchmen that each generation is charged with the responsibility to carry the Gospel to their generation. I’ve heard interesting reasons for why that is, but most of them seem to deal with the symptoms of the problem rather than the root of the problem. For instance, in recent time many church growth experts have poured their research effort into understanding and, then, accommodating the baby boomer. Church services and ministry approaches have been tailored to the unique characteristics and quirky idiosyncrasies of that demographic all with the intent of reaching them with the Gospel. Such holds true for the baby buster generation, generation x’ers and the millenniums. It seems that there is a unique approach to church for each unique age group / demographic, but why? Why is there a need to change the presentations / methodologies for each subsequent generation?

I submit to you that the reason isn’t as much to communicate the timeless truths of the Gospel as it is to defend the timeless truths of the Gospel. With every generation we get a little closer to the return of Christ. And, with every generation we get a little further into the last days. The result of the latter is that each generation begins to re-create God into their own image. Is this not a result of the curse? According to Genesis 1 we were created in the image of God. We were a replica of the Holy God of the universe, but because of sin that image has been broken or scared.

Through out the pages of history mankind has been futile in his effort to recreate that once unsullied image of God contained within every person. As Paul so eloquently stated the fact in Romans 1 and 2 each generation of humanity that has arisen has be content to worship the created rather than the creator. The ultimate expression of that rank sinfulness is to attempt, upon one’s own, to create himself into the image of God. This amounts to nothing more than idolatry. We in the western, civilized world may not carve an image and bow down to it, but we do worship various and sundry things / principles / philosophies / etc… in an attempt to find peace and purpose.

Back to the proposition…The attempt on the part of the church to repackage the Gospel (when it is done from pure motive) isn’t so much an attempt to reach the community or age demographic with the Gospel as much as it is an attempt to rebuke the inherited selfishness found in each generation since Adam with their sin and need of a Savior.

Every generation of humanity, since Adam, has attempted to recreate God into their own image.
In the church growth movement, we have sought to reach each generation with different methodologies that appeal to that generation’s perceived / felt needs, which in fact, are but expressions of their sinful desire to recreate God in their own image. The true church growth movement employs different methodologies in an effort to repackage the Gospel so that it can rebuke that particular generation’s sinful attempt to recreate God in their image by presenting the pure, unadulterated truth of who God is.