April 1972 · Vol. 1 No. 2 · p. 41
Editorial
There are times when those who are concerned for the life of the Church sense deeply that revival is needed. They see that hearts have grown cold and need again the kindling of a holy fire.
There are other times when the spiritually sensitive come to believe that the Church is troubled by a deeper sickness. It is not enough to rekindle the heart. There is a more profound disease that must be rooted out. Reform is needed.
There are times when even reform turns out to be inadequate. The old body is too far gone for cure. Or changing times require a new body, one shaped by different principles. Then a new beginning is needed, a restitutio.
There is ferment in modern Christendom. Even in the presence of revivals there is the sense that revival is not enough. And so there are many voices calling for reform. Is reform possible? Will that be enough? Or is it only something as radical as a new beginning that can save us?
Abram Dueck discusses reformatio and restitutio and asks how the Church can reform itself. Peter Hamm analyzes the tensions which have arisen in foreign missions. Significant changes have become necessary, and it is his hope that the tensions can become the occasion for creative action. Finally, George Konrad analyzes the growing literature on church renewal. His extensive review surveys the solutions that are being offered and is a guide to further reading.
ED. NOTE: Two comments need to be made relative to the January, 1972 issue of DIRECTION.
- The Greek nouns on p. 36. should read “epios or nepios”.
- The subject and subject index does not include all the articles and book reviews published in THE VOICE.