Árdís - 01.01.1964, Page 10

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ÁRDÍ S
How Vital Is Our Christianity
BY MRS. OTTO OLSON
There are many challenges that confront Christianity today—
challenges to the church as a whole and challenges to us as indi-
vidual members. There are even special challenges for us as Chris-
tian women. They come as admonitions and criticisms, given by
those who know and love the church and also by those who are
outside the church and are only too glad to point out our weak-
nesses. In one way or another these voices are saying the same
thing: Keep the church for the purpose for which it is intended.
It may be well for us briefly to remind ourselves of the true
purpose of the church. It was founded, we remember, for the
growth and development of the spiritual life of the believers in
Christ. The church exists today to proclaim the Word of God, to
offer the sacraments, and to be the communion of saints in fellow-
ship with each other and in serving those who need material or
spiritual help. We cannot give here an exhaustive definition of the
church, but this is enough to help us keep in mind that the church’s
function is primarily a spiritual one.
Yet on many sides we see and hear that people are spiritually
hungry. Is the church remiss? Or are people looking in the wrong
places for their spiritual food? By some method or another, people
the world over are seeking to satisfy their soul’s hunger. It is
natural for a soul to crave God: God has made us for Himself, to
have fellowship with Him. Until we come to rest in Him we are
restless and dissatisfied.
Some men think to appease their cravings by physical torture
or long pilgrimages or senseless sacrifice. In other countries, Canada
included, people are more likely to try to find satisfaction in ma-
terial wealth, successful enterprise, lavish entertainment, or food
and drink. They may even try to find peace with God by doing good
deeds—even by “busy-ness” in the church itself. There are many
demands upon our time and energy—often very good in themselves
—but just a lot of busy-work unless they are related to our life in