Jesus Cropped from the Picture

Jesus Cropped from the Picture

The Second Shaping Force: Nostalgic Era The Traditional Method values one of five nostalgic eras (for more detailed discussion, see Appendix 5).

The Protestant Reformation For most Traditionals, the Reformation was a day of renewal and clear teaching that articulated biblical orthodoxy for hundreds of years. The Reformation continues to offer the defining marks of the Church, where the Word of God is preached, the sacraments are rightly administered, and discipline is applied. For many, this is the ideal to which churches should return. Happy Days A second nostalgic era for Traditionals is the 1950s. It was a time of enthusiasm and creative energy. Evangelical publications were born, missionaries were commissioned like never before, Christian schools were opened and new ministries were formed, promising to affect the world for Christ. Influential leaders like Billy Graham, John Stott, and J.I. Packer emerged as leading voices during this time. The 1950s was also a time of optimism in America, as the country became the world’s leader in business, government, and the military. Many Traditionals long to go back to this period as a time when Traditional mores were accepted in society, prior to the decline of morality in the 1960s.

The Early Church Another possible nostalgic era for Traditionals is the early church, as described in the New Testament. Through misapplication of “sola

118