The Church's Primary Purpose

The following extract is from the esteemed Martin-Lloyd Jones in his classic "Preaching & Preachers".

The primary task of the Church is not to educate man, is not to heal him physically or psychologically.... I will go further; it is not even to make him good. These are things that accompany salvation; and when the Church performs her true task she does incidentally educate men and give them knowledge and information...she does make them good and better than they were. But my point is that those are not her primary objectives. Her primary purpose is not any of these; it is rather to put man into the right relationship with God, to reconcile man to God. (Preaching & Preachers, 30)

I highly esteem Martin-Lloyd Jones. He's one of the great preachers of the 20th century. His book, "Preaching & Preachers" is considered a classic. He's one of the early examples of those able to embrace serious theological exposition with passionate, Spirit-led charisma.

Having said that, despite my respect, I am not sure I entirely agree with his statement above.

I wholeheartedly agree that the church misses the mark if its primary focus is education or psychological/physical healing. But I'm not sure that the church's primary focus is to reconcile man to God.

That's a job for the Bridegroom....not the Bride.

The Bride's job is to glorify her Bridegroom....to worship and adore, and bring all focus on the work that He has done. For the Bridegroom, Jesus our Lord, has "put man in a right relationship with God"

And we are to worship Him and proclaim the wonder of this work until He returns. And as we do....I believe we shall continue to witness this glorious work....as Jesus reconciles man to God through the proclamation of the gospel.

For a great overview of Martin-Lloyd Jones ministry.....checkout Mark Driscoll's summary on the TheResurgence.