Theology and Mo/Po (modernism and post-modernism)

After a law degree at Cambridge, Ranald Macaulay went to Switzerland to help Francis Schaeffer in the work of L'Abri Fellowship. He later returned to the UK to do a theological degree at King's College, London, after which he and his wife, Susan, started a branch of L'Abri in Hampshire in 1971.
In 1977, he co-authored the book Being Human, recently re-published by Solway. He also founded and pastored two Presbyterian congregations in London and Hampshire. Since July 1997, he and his family have been living in Cambridge.

Q: What is the importance of theology in a post-modern world?

A: This is a vast question, but I think the most helpful thing to say about post-modernism is that, for all its superficial differences from 'modernism', it shares the same foundation or root with it. In other words, modernism and post-modernism (Mo/po) both flow equally from the same philosophical lie - that human beings derive their knowledge from themselves. In this sense, the one is a logical extension of the other. Mo & po appear very different - but they share the same problem, that if human knowledge really does have no higher reference point than 'man', then no-one can say for sure what life is about. Which is where the culture around us has come to, utterly confused and lost both intellectually and morally - and hurting like mad.
Now the importance of theology is that Christianity begins at a completely different point. Knowledge doesn't start with 'us', says the Bible - it starts with GOD. And since God made everything, and then being infinite understands everything perfectly, his communication to us is completely reliable: it guarantees and enlightens our limited experience and understanding. We have the possibility of knowing Truth not because we are big and clever but because God is. So we don't have to be confused. We can say with confidence where life comes from and what it's all about, and in particular what God has done to sort out the mess we've made of the world. Not that we have the answers to everything, of course, and not as if we find life plain sailing. But there is an answer to the cynicism and hopelessness of the contemporary mind. And theology is really just the study of that wonderful answer, God's communication in the Bible. So it's absolutely vital. It enables Christians to get the big picture, to have confidence about what's right and wrong, to find ways of challenging the false ideas that are spoiling society.

Q: Would you comment on what you see as the strengths and weaknesses, and the resulting opportunities and dangers, of the current theological scene in the UK?

A: The 'advances' of evangelicalism in the UK since the end of the Second World War have been considerable. First, the number of evangelical churches has grown and there are vastly more evangelical theological teachers, some in prominent positions. So from the point of view of influence, the potential is huge. But the doctrine of complete reliability of Scripture, for example, is now rarely defended by its scholars. In fact, they sometimes pour scorn on it, identifying it with a 'modernistic' influence in the 19th century.
To put it simply, my own reading of the UK theological scene is that it is suffering from an infection of the Mo/po virus I mentioned earlier. In other words, its scholars and leaders have adopted the idea that the human mind (scholarship) can sit in judgment upon God's mind (the Scriptures). Although at present they sound a long way from liberalism, many have set out on a similar path which leads inexorably to the same conclusion. So in my view, the opportunities are great but the dangers are greater.

Q: You are involved in putting together a Summer School of Theology in Cambridge this year. Could you tell us about it and its aims?

A: Yes. The main idea is to provide another training possibility alongside the other excellent ones that have sprung up in recent years, like the year-long Cornhill Training Course for example. Instead of a year, however, this will be just three weeks (though we're open to having applications for the first two weeks if people can't manage the full three). The big idea CSST is initiating is that we are bringing some of the finest theological teachers presently in North America. Some of them have been part of the 'brain drain' to places like Trinity, Westminster and Regent, and what we want to do is give people over here an opportunity to sit under their teaching.
This year we have Jerram Barrs of Covenant Seminary in St. Louis, but we've also approached people like Sinclair Ferguson and Kevin Vanhooser.
We've also been hugely encouraged by the financial help we've been given, both in the UK (from Church Society), but also from supporters in the US who, understanding the changes I've outlined already, want to encourage a new generation of ministers who are excited about their evangelical heritage and excited about the truth of Scripture. So this means we can offer bursaries to those who apply needing financial help. Finally, we're including people from both C of E and Free Church backgrounds and offering them the possibility, if they come to subsequent courses like this one, to receive the same range of theological teaching they'd get if they went to a residential college. This year we're taking the 'Theology of the Great Commission: evangelism, apologetics and pastoral care', but in other courses we hope to deal with subjects like the doctrine of God, the doctrine of salvation, the authority of Scripture, etc.

Q: Your late father-in-law, Francis Schaeffer, often emphasised Christian love as essential to true apologetics. How can we maintain loving attitudes in the fight for truth?

A: I'm glad you've raised this. What I most appreciated about Schaeffer was the way he made every person he spoke to the focus of his attention. This was his greatest gift I felt, not writing the books or lecturing etc., important as they were. He was really kind and gentle - and people knew it. He wasn't phoney. He'd thought things through but he wasn't treating them and their questions like a game of chess. And behind him lay the reality of his simple and sacrificial way of life within the communities of L'Abri. This spoke volumes too, that it wasn't just 'head' - he had an integrity of life. Schaeffer's little booklet called The mark of a Christian is a classic - but it's particularly important when talking about theology or apologetics.

If you are interested in CSST, write for a brochure and application details to The Administration, PO Box 147, Cambridge, CB3 9QE (Fax: 01223 358 565 or e-mail: jwb26@cam.ac.uk).

© Evangelicals Now - April 1998
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