As a convert to evangelicalism from Roman Catholicism (RC) I have been curious over the years of the increased numbers of evangelicals making their way to RC. Even more interesting is the delay in making this observation by evangelicals. However, this phenomenon is in the open now being discussed and books being published attempting to explain or defend this movement depending on what side of the discussion you’re on. I will take it one step further and say that the movement isn’t solely to Roman Catholicism, it seems to be across the high Church liturgical (HCL) board covering Orthodox, Lutheran, Anglican, and Episcopalian. Is there something here in this movement for evangelicals to take notice of?
“Evangelicalism” popularly understood by its adherents is a “Bible only” approach to the faith free from the religious fetters and empty ritual of “those dead old” HCL Churches. In a sense popular evangelicalism is a response to the HCL model of Church which is seen as an antiquated model for a bygone age. What popular evangelicalism offered was a fresh new and “worshipful” experience allowing for a freedom of worship expression, contemporary Christian songs, and a message “that speaks directly to our generation”. This was more commonly known as the mega-church model in evangelicalism.
Ironically with all its successes we now find its adherents becoming increasingly dissatisfied looking for a more experiential Christianity. These believers have had the best that the mega-church model can offer and came out empty handed. In their desire for a more spiritual worship experience they have returned to some of the traditional elements of HCL (candles, incense, icons, aesthetics) with a contemporary flavor (music, preaching, and general culture). What is interesting about this movement is the absence of theological justification. Their desired end is the experience which doesn’t necessarily require justification.
Evangelicals are also making a move to HCL Churches. Some of those that I have had personal interaction will give reasons such as the lack of theological unity in evangelicalism, the trivialization of worship, and a detachment from history. Are these points warranted? Possibly, but I have found theological disunity in HCL Churches and evangelicalism as we know it today isn’t completely detached from history but is currently in the act of making its own history. As for the trivialization of worship I would have to say that claim is more subjective saying something more about the individual making the claim than evangelical worship.
In closing I will say that theological unity is an issue significant enough to warrant some serious attention among evangelical leaders. I think many have wrongfully chosen to conduct their ministries from a non-theological or anti-theological approach. In so doing true theological unity will never be reached and adherents will continue to be uninformed about the fundamental tenets of their system of belief. It is only when we are open to discuss our theology that we can begin to unite in the essentials while we might differ on the non-essentials. We must keep our Lord’s high priestly prayer in mind when He asks for unity in the church.
As for the trivialization of worship, the emphasis on methods has cast a dark shadow on the legitimacy of evangelical worship. Some feel that its more entertainment oriented so that it attracts a bigger crowed of those who live in a culture of entertainment. On the reverse some might ask “what better way to attract the lost so that they can hear our message?” The one position that we rarely hear from is the position that says our method should be our message. While this requires more discussion consider what it would be like if our order of worship was our message from beginning to end. We would have a worship experience that was saturated in Christ. I can think of no better way to celebrate the Lord’s day.
