"Fads"

 

“Fads”

 

Present-day culture is marked by fads of every stripe. The word’s origin is uncertain but the two most common opinions are that it’s a shortened form of “fiddle-faddle” (describing something of little importance) or the French word fadaise (meaning nonsense). It’s come to describe something that’s briefly popular but doesn’t stand up to the test of time and is soon all but forgotten. We can all think back a few (or maybe many) years to clothing styles (miniskirts, Nehru jackets, leisure suits), TV genres (westerns, crime shows, “reality” shows) and music (hits today are gone tomorrow). And whatever became of pet rocks, Cabbage Patch dolls and car fins to cite a few more examples? Hymn writer Henry Lyte was correct when he observed in 1847, “Change and decay in all around I see….”

Religious practices aren’t exempt from this trend. Ever since the Church of Jesus Christ was established 2000 years ago groups based on a person’s teachings, pet doctrines, societal issues and many other factors have sprung up, had their day and slipped into obscurity. The early Jewish teacher Gamaliel had it right. Summarizing Acts 5:34-39 he said if a movement is of human origin it’ll die a natural death but if it’s of God it’ll last. This explains why, against all human logic, the Church exists today. Jesus told His disciples that He’d build His Church on Himself and “…the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18). Kings and emperors have tried to obliterate it—they and their empires are long gone but Christ’s Church is alive and well in every corner of the world.

True faith isn’t a fad, it’s a lasting reality. Yes, methods have changed and continue to do so but God’s truth remains constant. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (Matthew 24:35, emphasis added). Take comfort that He provides stability in a fad-filled world because “(He’s) the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8). To complete Lyte’s hymn line begun above, “O Thou who changest not, abide with me.” Trust Him, He will!

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan