"If the Church Fathers or the Reformers Showed Up at Your Church, Would They Worship ... or Run?" This quote graces the back cover of RetroChristianity: Reclaiming the Forgotten Faith by Michael J. Svigel.
Change is reality, and can either be positive, negative, or neutral. Sviegel did an excellent job of recognizing a church that has lost its way and reconnecting it to the historical church. He warns us to avoid the extremes of trying to relive the past we no longer can or extreme progressivism. He also is responsible for the great quote at the beginning of this review.
He gives some good suggestions on strengthening the church. One includes that when one evaluates their spiritual gifts they note where they're lacking as well as where they're strong. He recommends an altar pulpit centered church, with a solid emphasis on the sacrament of communion as well as Biblical preaching, and that the church has an elder based leadership.
You've heard my thoughts - I also would like to do something I never do, and that's share another view on the book. This is from a person I highly respect: Dr. Mark Bailey, President and Senior Professor of Biblical Exposition at Dallas Theological Seminary (2000-2020) and graduate and former professor/academic dean at Southwestern Conservative Baptist Bible College (now known as Arizona Christian University), where I had the privilege of sitting under his teaching for several classes. He stated:
“Rarely does one find a book so rich in content communicated so well. RetroChristianity is anything but retrenchment. Instead, Michael Svigel advances an agenda to move the church forward without losing the moorings of sound theology grounded in a history of biblical conviction. His words say it best: ‘It’s not rewinding to a more favorable era, but reclaiming the forgotten faith for the future.’ This is a most worthy read!”
Enough said? I highly recommend this book.
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