The image of ‘reforming’ ought not to be that of a ball of clay, always changing with the times, always ‘updating’ its appearance or texture or color.
Reforming means continually bringing back to the standard–the fixed standard. We have a tendancy to stray, to loose our grip, to tire, to relax, etc. Reforming the church is like keeping a large boulder on the peak of a large mountain. Sin is like gravity. Grace is like strength. The liberals say “let it go, let’s ride it down and see what happens!” But nothing good awaits that ride–and the view is lost. The over-conservatives talk of building forms and structures to lessen the work required by their own arms and legs. But then it would be an abandoned idol in a high place.
But don’t get the analogy wrong, here; the boulder isn’t the church–the ones supporting the boulder are. There are ends and means, we are the means of displaying God’s glory.
This is an inadequate analogy.
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