Holding the form of religion but denying the power of it…” – 2 Timothy 3:5 RSV
If you take a tour of Europe, you will see many magnificent cathedrals towering over city skylines. St. Eusebius church in Arnhem, Netherlands, is one such building we visited. Arnhem is the site of a major WWII battle depicted in the movie “A Bridge Too Far”.
St. Eusebius church was badly damaged in the fighting, but has been completely restored. Except it now functions as an event center rather than a regular place of worshiping and glorifying God.
Our tour guide seemed delighted to tell us that Christianity is no longer important to his fellow countrymen. With pride, he pointed out the giant sperm sculptures and COVID symbols that decorated the outside of the church, and the mocking devil statues on the building next door. Then, as we prepared to enter, he told us to remove our hats. We were used to this, as many of the churches we visited asked us to do so as a sign of reverence and respect for the Lord. But what was the point here in doing a religious sign of respect when the God behind it was neither respected nor revered?
The Apostle Paul, in his second letter to Timothy, warned that there will come a time when people will act religiously, but they will no longer believe in its power. It’s easy to see this at St. Eusebius church. But are we not also prone to “go through the motions” of faith without trusting in its power?
Resurrection Church is nowhere near as grand as a Gothic cathedral. But God forbid that we forget why it was built – to honor and glorify the God who is forever active and powerfully involved in our lives.
Good to be back home with you.
Pastor Mark