Secular Cathedrals

I was re-reading Tim Keller's Evangelism through "Networking" (PDF) Paper which he wrote in July 1992, I noticed a particularly interesting observation about the way old church buildings are being viewed by the late 20th Century/early 21st Century society in which we live.

Talking about 30 minute evangelistic lunch-time services which Redeemer holds, Keller writes

"Preaching is done for exactly 30 minutes (12:45-1:15 pm) in public cathedrals. Though they are churches, the space is "secular" space, used for concerts and cultural events, and is seen as public as a museum or art gallery."

It is interesting that spaces that were designed specifically to be "sacred" in their architecture are now viewed by secular culture as their own.

This provides an opportunity for those who have access to old church buildings. Space which was once seen as hostile to the non-Christian now has an air of safe secularity to it, as a public park or a library would. If people feel comfortable in our spaces, then let us rejoice and seize this opportunity to tell them about our Savior who is more beautiful and more glorious than our buildings of stone and mortar.

There is also, however, a danger in that our churches become only museums, which satisfy people's desire for beautiful things and spaces, and not a place in which Christ is preached. When people are attracted to our outward forms, then there is a real danger that the only reason they come to church is for those forms, whether it be music, liturgy, or architecture. Now these things must be done excellently, to the glory of God, but we must be careful that we keep pointing people to Jesus and not to the space in which He is worshiped.

If the nations are coming to us, then let's show them that Christ alone is our treasure!