Talking Points with Pastor Lucas - Caught Between Two Eras

The noted German novel Steppenwolf (1927) has a foreboding line in it: “There are times when a whole generation gets caught to such an extent between two eras, two styles of life, that nothing comes naturally to it since it has lost all sense of morality, security, and innocence.” Though describing the plight and lament of the story’s protagonist, I think it’s also descriptive of our time. We live when the morality, style of life, and security of one era is fading into the morality and lifestyle of an emerging era. Nothing seems natural anymore. For many, this causes anxiety, unrest, and anything but a feeling of security.

Such occurrences are nothing new. In fact, history books provide significant insight into the overlap of previous eras. Scripture itself alludes to this when the Israelites lament their wilderness wandering, longing for the security they had in Egypt (Ex. 16:3). Likewise, the New Testament Jews often pine for the days of national life under King David wishing for the restoration of “the Kingdom of God” (Lk 17:20; Acts 1:6). Of course, Martin Luther began a theological Reformation that also brought vast economic and social changes, ending one era and beginning another. The father of the LCMS, C.F.W. Walther and the immigrant Lutherans with him, had to adapt to the context of a new land and create an orthodox church without the structure and security of the German state church. Both Luther and Walther had to walk people through the new realities of being the church in changing times as they longed for the past.

As one era ends and another begins, those caught in the overlapping time between the two often feel displaced, out of sorts, and long for the security of the past. That’s how many Christians feel about the fading influence of Christianity in our culture and life.  As the D-Day invasion of WWII (1944) was commemorated this summer, many revisited the Christian prayers broadcast nationally throughout the day, including by President Roosevelt, but now lament the loss of a shared cultural morality and the basic understanding of human identity. Add in the modern advancements of digital technology and globalization and the rate of change only accelerates.

The passing of an era creates a future that is no longer predictable, one that lacks the security once assumed by many. As a result, broad cultural anxiety is produced, creating a system of chronic anxiety—one that envelops and connects people in unanticipated ways.

Christians look around and see the loss of shared morality, the loss of the church’s privileged position, the loss of members, the declining church attendance, and they begin to panic. Some want to withdraw from society. Others want to fight for the past. Many are driven by fear—fear of losing their children, their grandchildren, their nation, and their church.

However, “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Tim. 1:7). Such sanctified self-control lets us enact one of the most vital attributes for Christians to exhibit, particularly in anxious human environments: a non-anxious presence.

In other words, we engage this new era with the confidence and calmness of Christ and His word: “In this world you will have trouble; But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (Jn. 16:33). “The gates of hell will not prevail against [my church]” (Mt. 16:18). This does not mean things will somehow magically return to their previous state. It means Christ will sustain us, as He did for all generations before us, come what may. Indeed, Christians always live between two eras—between the era of His death and resurrection and the era of His glorious return! That is our abiding confidence.

Therefore, just as His word gives us calm and hope, it also pushes us forward to engage the people of a new era. Unbelievers need to hear the Gospel. Sinners need forgiveness. Congregations need pastors. Children need instruction. Neighbors need care. The oppressed need an advocate. Society needs order. God’s Word delivers this. The church lives it. Christians enact it.

The Church has lived through many changing eras, and each time Christ has been championed. Each time, faithful Christians adapt to serve the needs of the coming era, despite their longing for the security of yesterday. They were called to carry on the mission of the church and so are we, despite our own longing for the security of the past.  

The church forever holds in tension faithfulness to Christ and her adaptive capacity. She is called both to faithfulness and to engagement, especially in changing eras. In our case, the church must adapt to how she engages a secular and paganizing people. The way Christians positioned themselves and spoke publicly amid the church-friendly cultures of 1944, 1964, or 1984 is different than how the church publicly speaks to a people positioned by the moral revolution and secular culture that in 2024 has rejected Christian morality and basic human identity.

Likewise, the church must adapt to how she organizes herself amid a people who are suspicious of organizations, especially when the hypocritical actions and shortcomings of the organized church are digitally spread around the world. That means any inclination toward institutionalism for institutionalism’s sake must be actively resisted. Likewise, constitutions and bylaws created to serve vibrant and growing congregations in the church-friendly culture of 1944, 1964, or 1984 are no longer adequate to serve the shrinking and struggling congregations of 2024, especially when positioned in a culture that views them negatively. In our chaotic and rapidly shifting culture, the church must be nimble and agile in order to adapt and reach the lost, even as she steadfastly serves the faithful.

Yes, much is changing. Yes, we live between two eras. But this need not frighten us. We have “a spirit of power and love and self-control.” Therefore, we live confidently. Therefore, the Church acts boldly. And it comes quite naturally because the church has always lived between two eras—between Christ’s death and resurrection and His triumphant return!

In Christ,

Rev. Dr. Lucas V. Woodford
President, MN South District, LCMS