Torch, Fall/Winter 2012

Fall–Winter 2008 15 Maintaining Balance Problems arise when we fail to distinguish between the levels or raise second- or third-level items to the significance of level one. This has been a constant source of tension and controversy in the Church. We have seen this occur in recent years with the “worship wars” over traditional hymns and contemporary choruses, but the history of the Church is replete with other examples. Even the Reformers failed to make this distinction as various Protestant groups (along with Catholics) killed, most often by drowning, the early Anabaptists for failing to baptize their infants. Maintaining a level perspective and priority has ultimately guided the Church and its institutions for nearly 2,000 years and must continue to do so as today’s believers face the new issues and challenges, such as postmodernism and the Emergent church. Paul’s hope in Philippians 1 is an appropriate reminder: “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ — to the glory and praise of God” (Phil. 1:9–11). Dr. Carl Smith, professor of Bible, joined the Cedarville University faculty in 2007. After graduating from Tennessee Temple University, he received his M.Div. from Temple Baptist Theological Seminary. He later earned an M.A. and Ph.D. in history from Miami University (Ohio). His most recent publications include the article “Is the Maker of Heaven and Earth the Father of Jesus?” and the book No Longer Jews: The Search for Gnostic Origins . T