Importance of Church Security in Modern Times
The concept of security within the church, while often discussed in modern terms of physical safety, has deeper theological roots concerning the preservation of its spiritual integrity and the well-being of its members. The church is depicted as having "bulwarks" and "bars" that strengthen its gates, symbolizing divine protection and the safeguarding of its members from spiritual enemies like sin, Satan, and death [2, 3]. This security is rooted in God's power and everlasting love, which are considered more immovable than mountains [2].
The New Testament warns of internal threats to the church's security. Peter prophesied that "false teachers among you, who privily will bring in damnable heresies" would arise from within the church, posing a significant danger not from ordinary believers but from those who claim the title of pastors and teachers [1]. Christ and the apostles frequently foretold such dangers [1]. Paul similarly cautioned against being "tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive" [4]. This highlights the importance of doctrinal purity and spiritual discernment as key aspects of church security.
Calvin emphasized that the only way to keep the gospel safe is "to secure it by the locks and bars of a good conscience" [5]. He argued that a lack of genuine fear of God can lead individuals to abandon the gospel for "wicked sects" or "monstrous errors" [5]. This suggests that individual spiritual integrity contributes to the overall security of the church body. The church is understood as a unified body where harmony and mutual care are essential [7].
Historically, the church has also considered the security of its ministers and the continuity of its mission. Augustine, for instance, discussed situations where ministers might need to flee impending calamities to ensure their survival and continued ministry to those who remain [8]. This pragmatic view of security aimed at preserving the church's ability to function and serve its members. The profligacy of the clergy and false religious principles are seen as factors that can destabilize a community and lead to destructive outcomes [6]. Therefore, a "holy priesthood" and "righteous ministry" are considered blessings that promote order and sobriety within society [6].
Sources
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 91: Jews, our age is exempt from it. Would that it were so; but the Holy Spirit declared that it would be otherwise. For Peter’s words are clear, “But there were false prophets among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily will bring in damnable heresies” ( 2 Peter 2:1 ). See how he predicts impending danger, not from ordinary believers, but from those who should plume themselves on the name of pastors and teachers. Besides, how often did Christ and his apostles foretell that the greatest dangers with 2”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 48:11: Mark ye well her bulwarks,.... Such as the free favour of God in Christ; which is not only as a shield, but as a bulwark to the church; his everlasting love, electing grace, the covenant of grace, with its blessings and promises, all which are more immovable than rocks and mountains; and especially the power of God, which surrounds his church, as the mountains did Jerusalem; and by which they are kept and preserved as in a garrison, Psa 125:2. Also salvation by Christ; his righteousness, sacrifice, and satisfaction, which God has appointed for walls and bulwarks, and”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 147:13: For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates,.... Of Jerusalem, of Zion the church of God. Gates are for the letting in of persons into the city of our God; which are Christ, faith in him, and a profession of it; see Isa 26:1, "bars" are for the security of those that, are in it, and to keep out the enemy: and these, "strengthened", denote the utmost safety of the true members of Christ and his church; who have nothing to fear from their spiritual enemies, sin, law, Satan, the world, death, and hell: God is on their side; Christ is the munition of rocks unto them ”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 85: Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love” ( Eph 4:4-1”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on 1-2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, section 8.4: more than to have it taken from us. But Paul here informs us, that there is only one way of keeping it safe; and that is, to secure it by the locks and bars of a good conscience. This is what we experience every day; for how comes it that there are so many who, laying aside the gospel, rush into wicked sects, or become involved in monstrous errors? It is because, by this kind of blindness, God punishes hypocrisy; as, on the other hand, a genuine fear of God gives strength for perseverance. Hence we may learn two lessons. First, T”
- 1 Kings (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Kings 13:34: And this thing became sin - These abominations were too glaring, and too insulting to the Divine Majesty, to be permitted to last; therefore his house was cut off, and destroyed from the face of the earth. A Holy priesthood, a righteous ministry, is a blessing to any state, because it has a most powerful effect on the morals of the community; inducing order, sobriety, and habits of industry, among the people: on the contrary, the profligacy of the clergy, and false principles of religion, are the most likely to unsettle a kingdom, and to bring about destructive re”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 12:25: 12:25-26 The church is a unified body, so harmony and care for each other in the church is essential.”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 1: Augustine — Confessions, Letters — TO HIS HOLY BROTHER AND CO-BISHOP HONORATUS,1 AUGUSTIN SENDS GREETING IN THE LORD. (part 8): unworthy of notice is suggested here. For if the interests of the Church are not to be lost sight of, and if these make it necessary that when any great calamity is impending some ministers should flee, in order that they may survive to minister to those whom they may find remaining after the calamity is passed, -- the question arises, what is to be done when it appears that, unless some flee, all must perish together? what if the fury of the destroyer we”