Stained Glass

"Each generation of the church in each setting has the responsibility of communicating the gospel in understandable terms, considering the language and thought-forms of that setting." - Francis Schaeffer

Do you recognize this famous piece of stained glass? This is the Rose window of Notre Dame in Paris. If you look carefully at the sections, they are all images from biblical stories. These beautiful windows are reminders for people of the great events from the scripture. The art form hit it's zenith during the Gothic period in Europe from the 12t to the 16th century.

During that time many of the people were illiterate, they could not read the Bible for themselves. The very church building itself served as a reminder of the greatness of the Word of God. It became, as Francis Schaeffer said their method for their generation.

As we see stained glass windows, whether religious or not, let us think about our world today:

• What is the main medium for communication? (Well, you're looking at this on your computer or maybe even your smart phone.)
• If we could think of new way to communicate the Gospel to this generation, what forms could we use?
• What is our "stained glass"?
• What is our language of thought form in the 21st century?

May we find ways to use our gift and talents to help spread the gospel in our world. May we develop an attitude like Paul:

"For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power." 1 Corinthians 1:17 (New International Version 1984, ©1984)