Welcome to "Tuesday Morning"—always encouraging to read on any day of the week.

 

I remember when Alvin Toffler's book, Future Shock, was published in 1970. The book was an instant success, eventually selling more than 6 million copies, according to Wikipedia. I began reading it as soon as it came out, but it was not a good time for me. I was teaching full time at a Christian college in Oklahoma, serving in a part-time staff position at a large church, taking graduate courses toward a second masters degree, and as a veteran, I was concerned about our nation's involvement in the war in Viet Nam. Our son was eleven and our daughter was ten. We moved into another house in town that year, and we were having plumbing problems. I had enough "shock" in my life, and reading Toffler wasn't helping. You may remember that Toffler had coined the term, "information overload." I already knew all about that.

 

Toffler defines "shock" as "too much change in too short a period of time." That was a perfect description of my life at that moment. I don't like change, especially change that is created for me rather than by me. That's one reason I enjoy retirement. There are fewer surprises, except those surprises brought on by growing older and by trying to live on a fixed income.

 

Anyway, if you prefer unchangeable things, you will enjoy reading this week's "Tuesday Morning" piece. It is entitled, "Some Things Never Change—Hallelujah!" I might expand the topic into a chapter in my next book. I have included some "bottom shelf" theology in this one, but you can handle it. I thought about running it by our yard man this week, but he doesn't show up until Thursday. And some of my words don't translate very well into his primary language. Here is the main theme to this week's epistle: "God doesn't change." He keeps his word from one generation to the next. Everything we need to know about how to receive his salvation can be found in The Book (not mine; His). We just need to read it more often. I've included in this week's epistle the words of one of those lesser-known hymns by Charles Wesley—"Unchangeable, Almighty Lord." You will like it.

 

So, read on whenever you are ready, and then prepare for a slow week. We all deserve one from time to time.

 

Blessings.

 

Tom Barnard

A Senior Encourager

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Some Things Never Change—Hallelujah!

Tom Barnard

 

ome things in life really do change—aren’t you glad? I learned to drive before cars came with turn signals, automatic transmissions, and power-steering. I can’t begin to tell you how inconvenient it was when I was 17 and dating. That was before power windows, back-up lights, power door-locks, and radial tires. It was also before power seats and disc brakes and tinted glass. How did we ever get along without such “essentials”? And what about cruise control and stereo surround-sound?

 

But even with all the modern conveniences (and accessories available if one has the money), there are some things about cars that haven’t radically changed much. A hundred years after Ford introduced his “Model T,” cars today have wheels and tires, brakes, steering wheels, lights front and rear, and a way to move the vehicle from Point A to Point B, and all points in between.

 

Unlike the manufacturing of automobiles, biblical principles never change. Especially when it comes to spiritual realities. I like to quote the doxology of the catholic traditional evening prayers, “As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.” It sounds so majestic, so final, so ever-lasting, and so out-of-touch in a post-modern world. Maybe that I why I like it so much. And it reads the same in Latin, German, French, and Spanish.

 

Speaking of post-moderns, I ran across (translation: I wasn’t looking for anything special at the time) a blog (how about that for another something that didn’t exist a decade ago?) entitled, “The Evangelical, Post-Modern, Emergent, Missional, Orthodox, Conservative, Liberal Body of Christ.” Is that inclusive or what? The writer went on to say, “So you might say that I am just a mixed up kid. Or you might say I am rebelling against boxes and labels. What is important is: what will God say when I stand before him someday?” 

 

Indeed. That is the question that ends all questions. “What will God say?” Maybe He will want an explanation for how his church has become the creator of change in worship, music, methodology, and the interpretation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Maybe he will want a short answer. Maybe he will ask questions that we are not prepared to answer. Jesus had one question for Simon: “Who do you say that I am?” Could it be that simple for us at the Judgment?

 

Here is a truth about God: He doesn’t change! In theological language, he is immutable. Scriptures attest to this truth (Psalm 33:11; Ecclesiastes 3:14; Isaiah 14:24; Hebrews 1:12; Hebrews 6:17, 18; James 1:17). In a sermon by Jonathan Edwards, dated April 1738, the great preacher spoke from the Hebrews 13:8 text:

 

“Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

 

He said that Christ is unchangeable in two respects: In his divine nature, and in his office. By that he meant that Jesus “is unchangeable as the Mediator and Savior of his church and people.” Everyone has sinned, regardless of how one defines sin. Sinners are still welcome in his house. Sinners are saved by grace through faith. Heaven is the eternal home for those who believe. Hell is the eternal home for those who do not. The choice is ours. It always has been. It always will be, “world without end.”

 

“Unchangeable, almighty Lord, Our souls upon Thy truth we stay;

Accomplish now Thy faithful word, And give, O give us all one way!

O let us all join hand in hand, Who seek redemption in Thy blood;

Fast in one mind and spirit stand, And build the temple of our God.

Giver of peace and unity, Send down Thy mild and peaceful dove.

We all shall then in one agree And breathe the spirit of Thy love.

So shall the world believe and know That God hath sent Thee from above,

When Thou art seen in us below And ev’ry soul displays Thy love.”

 

Charles Wesley