Church Matters: Retrieving the Great Tradition

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Chur ch Mat ter s : Ret r i ev i ng the Great Trad i t i on

be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. [14] You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. [15] Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. [16] In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

2. The early Church was both innovative and generous in its demonstration of good works of charity throughout the empire.

a. Through ministers of ministering to the poor and the widows

b. Some of the very first hospitals, hostels, and orphanages

3. Throughout Christian history, the charity and benevolence of Christians has been and continues to be a major demonstration of the life of God in the midst of his people and through them to the world. We [Gentiles] who used to hate and destroy one another, and would not live with men of a different tribe because of their different manners, now, since the coming of Christ, live familiarly with them, and pray for our enemies.

~ Justin Martyr, c. 160 (cf. David W. Bercot, ed. A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs . Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1998, p. 409]).

C. The Great Tradition was intensely missional in its prophetic witness, seeking to preach and teach the Gospel among the unreached in every place where the Lord was not believed in.

1. The very ground of early Christianity is missional.